The perfect holiday drink doesnt exist, well that was true until the peppermint mocha came to fruition! This delicious minty and chocolate goodness espresso drink is absolutely amazing and it’s no wonder why starbucks picked it up as one of its holiday yearly specials! However, we have noticed that cafes usually add too much peppermint which can make your drink too minty and strong, thus we decide to make our own version that was the perfect blend of sweetness and mint without making you feel like you bit a chunk out of a candy cane ☺️.
This post is all about creating the perfect peppermint espresso drink! We hope you enjoy it and don’t forget to share it and pin it for later!
Peppermint Mocha FAQS
What’s the difference between peppermint and mint?
Peppermint and mint both originate from the mentha or mint plant family. Peppermint has a much stronger aroma and flavor to it while mint is a little more subtle in taste and smell.
What’s the difference between a peppermint white mocha vs. a peppermint mocha?
A peppermint white mocha is made from white chocolate hence why it is called a white mocha. Meanwhile, a peppermint mocha like any traditional mocha is made from regular chocolate. There are mochas that can be made from either dark chocolate or milk chocolate.
Where does peppermint come from?
Peppermint originates from the mentha plant family and is a cross between the watermint and the spearmint plants.
Peppermint mocha equipment and ingredients
Equipment
- Microwave or stove top
- Milk frother
- Espresso machine if using espresso, coffee brewer if using brewed coffee or hot water kettle if using instant espresso
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Heat safe mug
Ingredients
- Peppermint syrup
- You can use a store-bought syrup but we find that using a homemade natural one always makes for the best peppermint mocha. For the recipe for our homemade peppermint syrup click here…
- Mocha sauce
- You can use store-bought mocha syrup but homemade mocha sauce always comes out the best. For the recipe for our homemade mocha sauce click here….
- Espresso
- If espresso isn’t available you can always use strongly brewed coffee or instant espresso in place of espresso.
- Milk
- You’ll need steamed milk which will essentially be heated frothy milk.
- Toppings/Garnishes
- These will make your drink look super cute and will add to the taste as well!
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate shavings
- Red and white sugar sprinkles
- Peppermint candies
- These will make your drink look super cute and will add to the taste as well!
Love Holiday Drinks? Try Our Other Creations and Starbucks Copycat Recipes! - Eggnog Latte - Gingerbread Latte - Eggnog
Peppermint Mocha Recipe
- 2 oz espresso
- 12 oz steamed milk
- 2 tablespoons peppermint syrup
- 2 tablespoons mocha sauce
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate shavings
- Red and white sugar sprinkles
- Peppermint candies
How to make a peppermint mocha
- In a pan over medium heat or in the microwave heat milk.
- Add in espresso, mocha sauce and peppermint syrup and stir well to combine.
- Once milk mixture is hot and fully mixed, froth milk using a hand held milk frother wand. If you don’t have one you can use a whisk to create the same frothed milk effect.
- Pour mixture into a heat safe serving mug.
- Top with whipped cream, red sugar sprinkles, chocolate shavings and peppermint candy.
- Enjoy!
Recipe notes:
- If espresso is unavailable you can use strongly brewed coffee as a substitute or instant espresso.
- To make the drink iced simply use cold ingredients, switch out steamed milk for cold milk and add ice.
Starbucks Peppermint Mocha FAQS
How many pumps of syrup are in a Starbucks peppermint mocha?
Starbucks peppermint mochas are made using 2 types of syrups for flavoring. Once is a mocha sauce that provides the mocha flavoring of course. The other type of syrup is peppermint syrup which gives it the famous peppermint flavor we all know and love. In a grande peppermint mocha, Starbucks uses 4 pumps of peppermint syrup and 4 pumps of mocha sauce. For each size smaller you subtract a pump so in a tall you have 3 pumps of peppermint and mocha each. Meanwhile, in a venti, you get 5 pumps of each.
What is in a Starbucks peppermint mocha?
Starbucks peppermint mochas are made using a mocha sauce and peppermint syrup for the flavoring and sweetness of the drink. Meanwhile, the base of the drink is made from milk, milk foam, and espresso. The drink is also topped off with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings!
Does Starbucks peppermint mocha have caffeine in it?
Yes, the peppermint mocha does contain caffeine as it is made using espresso.
How much sugar is in a Starbucks peppermint mocha?
A grande 16fl oz peppermint mocha will contain roughly 63g carbohydrates but remember you can always opt out of adding whipped cream and adjust the amount of peppermint syrup and mocha sauce to make the drink less or more sweet. You can also add in extra sweeteners.
Peppermint Chocolate Mocha FAQ
What is a peppermint mocha?
A peppermint mocha is a tasty combination of mocha with added peppermint flavoring. This makes for the perfect drink to enjoy during the holidays along with your favorite desserts.
What do peppermint mochas taste like?
Just imagine the delicious pairing of sweet chocolate, peppermint, creamy whipped cream, espresso, and frothy steamed milk.
Is a peppermint mocha better hot or iced?
Personally, we like to enjoy our peppermint mochas hot since they are typically around during the colder winter months. While some may like drinking cold drinks during December, we certainly aren’t those people. Besides temperature when it comes to taste hot and cold peppermint mochas are pretty much the same thing.
Does a peppermint mocha contain caffeine?
Yes, peppermint mochas are made using espresso or strongly brewed coffee so they will have a decent amount of caffeine in them. For example, a grande-sized peppermint mocha with 2 shots of espresso and added mocha sauce contains roughly 175mg of caffeine.
Love Peppermint? Learn more about the benefits of peppermint in this article from Medical News Today
What you’ll love
- This recipe can be made entirely vegan by swapping out milk for plant-based milk, skipping whipped cream for a plant-based alternative topping like milk foam instead, and using a vegan mocha sauce.
- This drink is the perfect cold winter day pick-me-up with a decent amount of caffeine in it.
- This drink has the perfect balance between peppermint and chocolate creating a drink that is subtly minty yet super sweet and warming all at the same time.
- The recipe is super quick to make and very easy to follow.
- This drink is made from all-natural ingredients if you decide to make the entire thing from scratch which we recommend. Making drinks from scratch really allows us to know exactly what we’re putting into our bodies which is why we provided you with our recipes to make this entire drink from scratch.