How to Make a Peppermint Mocha

Every time the Christmas season rolls around, I start to have visions of a peppermint mocha. (Yum!) I unapologetically enjoy all things coffee, but fancy coffee drinks can be a real budget breaker (not to mention full of sugar). Thankfully, there’s an easy and delicious peppermint mocha recipe you can make at home with wholesome real food ingredients.

I promise this recipe is a much more delicious and healthy alternative!

A Healthy Peppermint Mocha Recipe?

In college, I often frequented coffee shops to get my normal caffeine fix. Now that I’m older and hopefully a little wiser, I make my coffee at home with organic beans.

I don’t miss coffee shops at all since I can even make fancy coffees like pumpkin spice or vanilla lattes at home. They taste just as good as the store-made version, or better in my book. I love that I can use real food ingredients instead of junky artificial flavors and high-fructose corn syrup.

I often get asked, “how do you get it all done with a blog and so many kids?” The answer is having a structured schedule and eating enough healthy fats. This recipe is packed with brain-boosting fats and it keeps me energetic, but not jittery, all day.

Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Copycat

Baristas at the popular coffee shop chain use espresso, peppermint syrup, and milk to make their famous peppermint mocha coffee. I feel like this homemade version is even better. It won’t taste exactly the same as Starbucks or other coffee shops, but I like it more.

You could add some dairy-free almond milk, oat milk, or grass-fed cow milk to the recipe if you prefer. However, I’ve found that with the healthy fats it’s ultra creamy and doesn’t even need the added milk!

How to Make a Homemade Peppermint Mocha

I almost always include a tablespoon of butter, coconut oil, and/or MCT oil in my coffee. It’s the perfect way to get healthy fats and extra benefits.

These days I often use mushroom coffee from Four Sigmatic for the extra superfood benefits as well. I promise it doesn’t taste like mushrooms, just great coffee! They also have a delicious reishi mushroom hot chocolate that would also make a yummy addition to this recipe.

I’ve made variations of this recipe with coffee, decaf coffee, chai tea, and herbal teas. They’re all delicious! All you need is some brewed coffee, a few ingredients, and a blender to make your own peppermint mocha in just a few minutes.

A word of warning: If you aren’t used to consuming coconut oil, start slowly. Coconut oil and MCT oil can cause short-term nausea if you aren’t used to them. They both have immune boosting, metabolism boosting, and yeast-fighting properties. But if you jump in too fast your stomach might rebel!

Topping it Off

I don’t always add toppings to my drinks, but some people love the extra decoration. If you want to make your holiday season drink a little fancier, then add some garnish. Peppermint candy or crushed candy cane are both popular, but they have more sugar than I like. Some healthy white chocolate or dark chocolate curls go great on top.

Add a little dollop of grass-fed whipped cream or whipped coconut cream if desired too. Some homemade marshmallows are also a great topping option!

Essential Oil Safety

This recipe calls for natural peppermint extract or 1 drop of peppermint essential oil. Since peppermint extract is made with essential oil diluted in alcohol, either way, you’ll be consuming the plant oil. Some people prefer one form over the other though.

There is some concern that peppermint oil in medicinal or supplemental amounts can reduce breast milk production. And pregnant women (especially first trimester) are recommended against ingesting essential oils. The amount included in this recipe (especially if using peppermint extract) is minimal, in culinary amounts and generally considered safe for most people.

A Whole Latte Love

If you aren’t a mint person or want to skip the peppermint, try these variations instead:

• Brain-Boosting Coffee Recipe
• Healthy Salted Caramel Coffee Recipe
• Superfood Vanilla Latte
• Superfood Gingerbread Latte
• Best Pumpkin Spice Latte

Peppermint Mocha Recipe

Katie Wells

Make your own peppermint mocha with brain-boosting healthy fats, antioxidant-rich cocoa powder, and a little minty kick.

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 10 mins

Total Time 10 mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 1 cup

Calories 288 kcal

Equipment

• Blender, immersion blender, or hand blender

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup strong brewed coffee
• 1 TBSP coconut oil (or MCT oil)
• 1 TBSP grass-fed butter (I use Kerrygold or ghee)
• 2 tsp cocoa powder
• 1 TBSP honey (or peppermint stevia to taste – I use about 8 drops)
• ¼ tsp peppermint extract (or 1 drop peppermint essential oil)

Instructions

 

• Brew the coffee.
• While it is still hot, pour the coffee into a blender or large cup if using an immersion blender.
• Add the remaining ingredients and blend on high for 10 seconds until emulsified. This step is important as it creates froth and a creamy flavor instead of an oily one. No frother necessary!
• Drink and enjoy!

Notes

If pregnant or nursing, see the safety information above. 

Serve with my homemade marshmallows or whipped cream for an extra special treat!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 288kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 1gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 96mgPotassium: 161mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 350IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.4mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Are you a fan of peppermint mochas? Ever made your own lattes before? Leave a comment and let me know!