How about starting your Christmas morning with velvety Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate? Ah! Sounds comforting, right? So, friends, here I am, unveiling the authentic, wallet-friendly copycat recipe for Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate made by our chef Jasbir. Trust me, it’s the exact replica of the original.
The best part? You don’t have to compromise your pocket every time you want to have it! Yay! This is the perfect hot chocolate for all your winter cravings. It requires only a few ingredients and is ready within minutes. It is rich, velvety, and has just the right amount of sweetness.
As soon as you take the first sip of this cozy drink, you will experience a cool and refreshing rush inside your mouth that feels like a winter wonderland. The real star is the peppermint syrup that enhances this hot chocolate from ordinary to extraordinary.
The perfect balance of sweet, rich, and minty flavours will keep you coming back for more. So here comes your ticket to Starbucks paradise in none other than your own kitchen.
Equipment Required
- Medium-Sized Saucepan: This is where all the magic happens. I use it to combine milk, peppermint syrup, and chocolate to form a good consistency.
- Whisk: This becomes my best companion for whisking the ingredients and ensuring that the chocolate melts evenly into the milk.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: I use measuring cups and spoons to precisely measure the ingredients, especially the peppermint syrup.
- Mug: I use a large and sturdy mug to serve this hot chocolate because, c’mon, this one deserves to be served in style. A bigger mug is always a win.
Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients listed below will make 2 servings. To make more, you increase the quantity of ingredients.
- 1 Cup Milk: You can also use soy, oat, or almond milk.
- 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 cup of Chocolate Chips: Are you out of chocolate chips? Cocoa powder, chocolate bars, chocolate syrup, or cacao nibs work just fine. However, each of these substitutes will give a slightly different taste and texture.
- 1 Tablespoon Peppermint Syrup: Although this is the star ingredient here, if you happen to run short of peppermint syrup, peppermint extract, crushed peppermint candy, or mint leaves infused in milk can be useful.
- Whipped Cream
- Sprinklers: When I don’t have sprinklers in the kitchen, I use chocolate shavings, toasted coconut flakes, crushed nuts, or cookie pieces as alternatives.
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Minutes | 5 Minutes | 10 Minutes |
How To Make Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate At Home
Step 1
Add milk, heavy whipping cream, chocolate chips, and peppermint syrup to a saucepan. Cook until the chocolate melts fully.
Step 2
Once you see bubbles forming, pour the hot chocolate into the mug.
Step 3
Top it with whipped cream and some sprinklers.
Step 4
Your indulgent Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate is ready to be served.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- I infuse a small amount of salt while simmering the mixture to enhance the chocolate’s flavor and balance all the sweetness.
- To complement the peppermint and chocolate flavors in the drink, I also like to add a dash of vanilla extract or a pinch of powdered cinnamon.
- I always opt for high-quality chocolate, which significantly impacts the flavour and texture.
- Pre-warm your serving mugs to maintain the temperature of the hot chocolate longer.
FAQs About Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Nutritional Information Per Serving
This Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate is not exactly a healthy drink because it is packed with sugar and chocolates. It is a sweet treat best enjoyed in moderation and not as a daily habit.
I have listed the nutritional breakdown of this recipe below for your reference:
| Calories | 1047 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 62 g |
| Protein | 13 g |
| Fat | 84 g |
| Saturated Fat | 51 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 23 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 162 mg |
| Sodium | 88 mg |
| Potassium | 822 mg |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 48 g |
| Vitamin A | 2060 IU |
| Vitamin C | 1 mg |
| Calcium | 295 mg |
| Iron | 6 mg |
People who follow a gluten-free and vegetarian diet can have this drink without any worries.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Keto-Friendly: To make a keto-friendly version of this hot chocolate, I use unsweetened almond or coconut milk instead of regular milk, sugar-free chocolate chips or keto-friendly dark chocolates for chocolate chips, and peppermint syrup with peppermint extract combined with monk fruit. This gave the drink that peppermint flavor without the carbs.
- Vegan: You won’t believe it, but making this hot chocolate vegan was pretty easy. I simply swap milk with almond, oat, or coconut milk, whipping cream with coconut or cashew cream, and chocolate chips with dairy-free dark chocolate.
Along with these tweaks, I use coconut whipped cream in place of regular whipped cream and garnish the hot chocolate with shredded coconut or chopped nuts instead of normal sprinklers. - Paleo: To make this drink paleo-friendly, you can replace normal milk with almond, coconut or cashew milk, heavy whipping cream with coconut cream or blend cashews and peppermint extract combined with honey or maple syrup to keep it under paleo guidelines. For the whipped cream, you can use coconut whipped cream with a hint of vanilla extract and skip the sprinklers.
- Sugar-Free: I made this decadent drink sugar-free by substituting regular milk with unsweetened almond milk, chocolate chips with sugar-free chocolate chips made from erythritol or stevia, and peppermint syrup with a mixture of peppermint extract and stevia. Then, instead of whipping cream, I combine heavy cream with a sugar-free sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit and replace sprinklers with sugar-free sprinklers.
Storing And Reheating This Recipe
Storing
- Refrigerator: Before refrigeration, I first let my hot chocolate cool down to room temperature. Cooling the drink prevents condensation inside the container that may affect the flavor. Then, I pour the hot chocolate into a clean, airtight container. You can also put it inside mason jars or BPA-free plastic containers. Then, I place the container in the refrigerator, where it can be stored for 3-4 days. The flavours may meld over time, enhancing the peppermint and chocolate notes in the drink.
- Freezing: Just as refrigeration, I allow the hot chocolate to cool completely at room temperature, then transfer the drink to a freezer-safe airtight container, leaving a small space at the top to allow for proper expansion as the liquid freezes.
Reheating
- Stovetop: I pour my hot chocolate into a medium-sized saucepan and stir it gently so that any separated ingredients are mixed back together. Then, I heat the saucepan on a low to medium-low flame, stirring continuously. I make sure to heat the hot chocolate until it’s below boiling, around 160°F. When it simmers, I immediately reduce the heat and serve it with toppings like whipped cream or extra peppermint extract.
- Microwave: This is the most convenient way of reheating the hot chocolate. I simply microwave it on medium power for 30 seconds. After every interval, I stir the hot chocolate to ensure proper heat distribution. When the hot chocolate reaches the desired temperature, I add my desired toppings and serve immediately.
What To Serve With This Recipe
This Starbucks peppermint hot chocolate is so delicious that it can be paired with almost anything. For a fresh and savory breakfast, I often have it with a Veggie Sandwich and Scrambled Eggs.
Moreover, I love serving it with Waffles and Pancakes. The fresh notes of the peppermint beautifully complement these sides. It also tastes good with Muffins, adding more flavour to the hot chocolate.
Printable Version
Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Milk
- 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 Cup Chocolate Chips
- 1 Tablespoon Peppermint Syrup
- Whipped Cream
- Sprinklers
Equipment
- Medium-Sized Saucepan
- Whisk
- Measuring Cups And Spoons
- Mug
Instructions
- Add milk, heavy whipping cream, chocolate chips, and peppermint syrup in a saucepan. Cook until the chocolate melts fully.
- Once you see bubbles forming, pour the hot chocolate into the mug.
- Top it with whipped cream and some sprinklers.
- Your indulgent Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate is ready to be served.
Video
Notes
- I infuse a small amount of salt while simmering the mixture to enhance the chocolate’s flavor and balance all the sweetness.Â
- To complement the peppermint and chocolate flavors in the drink, I also like to add a dash of vanilla extract or a pinch of powdered cinnamon. Â
- I always opt for high-quality chocolate, which significantly impacts the flavour and texture.
- Pre-warm your serving mugs to maintain the temperature of the hot chocolate longer.
Nutrition
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Conclusion
This Starbucks peppermint hot chocolate is a creamy, rich indulgence for all your winter nights offering a unique blend of fresh peppermint with creamy sweet chocolates. You can enjoy it with your favorite snacks or include it in your midnight cravings.
Hence, give this recipe a try and let these rich and festive flavors transform your treat into something truly delightful. Don’t forget to share your hot chocolate experience in the comment section below. We will be delighted to know your favorite pairings with this decadent sweet treat. See you soon.
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