A warming drink, chocolate and candy canes - could this be any more festive? This lightened up Peppermint Hot Chocolate has less sugar than most and that hint of peppermint is sure to get you in the festive mood. Kids will love to decorate them too.
Whilst we love relaxing at the end of the day with a nice glass of wine, there is just something about a warm mug of hot chocolate that fills us with joy and takes us back to being a kid again. Settle down on the sofa on a cold winter night with a mug of something that whole family will love.
Peppermint is such a classic Christmas flavour and once those candy canes hit the store, you know the festive season it here. Mint and chocolate go so well together, this peppermint hot chocolate will have you in the festive mood.
Love mint? Why not try our Raspberry and Mint Water, Mint Chocolate Dessert or Tabbouleh.
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Why you will love it
- The best way to start the festive season - This is the kind of drink you should make when you are putting up all the Christmas decorations.
- Lower in sugar than most hot chocolates - We have used honey to sweeten it a little, without it being overly sugary.
- Under 200 calories a serving - Hot chocolate can be loaded with sugar, but this one if fairly light on calories.
- Great to serve up at a Christmas party - Having a kids Christmas party? Serve these up in little cups and they will be a hit.
- Kids love them - What kid doesn't like hot chocolate? They will love decorating these too.
Ingredients needed
- Skimmed milk - This keeps the peppermint hot chocolate a little lighter, but you could use full fat milk to make it even creamier. You could swap it for almond milk for a vegan version.
- Coconut milk - This adds so much creaminess, and it isn't too over powering with the coconut flavour. We used light coconut milk to keep it lower in calories, but you could use full fat which would be creamier.
- Honey - Just a little honey adds some sweetness to it. You could use maple syrup instead and feel free to adjust it if you want it sweeter.
- Cocoa powder - Where all the chocolatey flavour comes from! We used unsweetened cocoa powder and a really good quality one will make a difference.
- Peppermint extract - Make sure you use extract rather than essence, as it will have a more natural flavour.
- Whipped cream and candy canes - These are optional, but we find that they really finish off the peppermint hot chocolates and add to the Christmas vibe.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step by step
One: Put the skimmed milk and coconut milk in to a pan and bring to the boil.
Two: Stir in the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes.
Three: Pour in to mugs and top with cream and crumbled candy canes.
Is it healthy?
Whilst hot chocolate is usually a bit of an indulgent treat, in the winter we like to have it quite a lot, especially around Christmas time. So it's good to find ways to lighten it up a little.
We use a mixture of skimmed milk (you could still use semi-skimmed, whole or even nut) and coconut milk so you get all of the creamy flavour without a lot of calories. Plus, we like the little hint of coconut flavour in there.
We used just a little bit of honey to sweeten this hot chocolate, but it isn't overly sweet. It's nice to let the peppermint flavour shine through.
Adding alcohol
If you are hosting a Christmas party and want to have something festive and non-alcoholic to serve up, then these would be perfect. Equally, a little glug of Baileys or something similar would go really well in this.
Hot chocolate toppings
Want to take this peppermint hot chocolate to the next level? Load it up! Toppings are a must if you are making a serve yourself hot chocolate bar. Here are some of our favourite topping options:
- Whipped cream
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate shavings
- Sprinkles
- Chocolate chips
- Caramel syrup
- Chocolate syrup
- Orange zest
- Peanut butter
- Cinnamon
- Coconut shavings
- Candied ginger
- Your favourite chocolate bars, chopped
- Candy cane stirrers
- Chopped up fudge
What to serve with peppermint hot chocolate
This is the ultimate Christmas hot drink, so why not serve it up some one of our festive sweet treats:
- Christmas Tree Brownies
- Healthy Christmas Cookies
- Gingerbread Cupcakes
- Cinnamon Flapjacks
- Christmas Cheesecake
- Cranberry Orange Muffins
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you certainly can. You can swap the whole milk for almond, cashew or oat milk. You can either leave the whipped cream out or swap it for a vegan version.
Yes, you can make an amazing boozy version for adults, which a few different options. We love rum, baileys or bourbon. Just add a splash before serving. Don't cook it with all the other ingredients, as the alcohol will cook off.
Yes, if you have any leftovers, then it can be kept in the fridge until the next day. It is delicious cold, like a milkshake, or you can heat it up on the hob.
More Christmas drinks
If you’ve tried this mint hot chocolate recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Healthy Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 400 ml Skimmed Milk
- 100 ml Light coconut milk
- 2 tablespoon Honey
- 2 tablespoon Cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon Peppermint extract
- Whipped cream and candy canes to serve - optional
Instructions
- Pour the Milk and coconut milk in to a saucepan and bring to the boil.400 ml Skimmed Milk, 100 ml Light coconut milk
- Stir in the remaining ingredients and turn down to a simmer for 5 minutes.2 tablespoon Honey, 2 tablespoon Cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon Peppermint extract
- Pour in to mugs and serve with cream and candy canes (optional).Whipped cream and candy canes to serve
Notes
- Use whipped cream and candy canes to make this hot chocolate a little more indulgent, or you can just leave them out.
- We used a mixture of skimmed milk and coconut milk, but you could use just skimmed milk to make this lower in calories.
- Want to keep this vegan? Use almond milk and swap the honey for maple syrup.
- Weight Watchers SmartPoints: 10
nicol
yes yes yes! i really can't wait to start drinking everything hot chocolate. peppermint is definitely going to be my most drinkable flavour this month
Planet Jodie
This looks so lovely and christmassy! I love candy canes. I want one now haha...not good on a diet lol x
Helen @ family-friends-food
This looks fantastic! We are definitely into hot chocolate season now, so I'll have to give this a go.
Miracle Max
This sounds amazing. I adore hot chocolate and this time of year I drink so much of it. Peppermint and orange are my favourite flavours. Jo x
Elodie
This looks and sounds delicious! I will definitely try it - although I will have to replace the milk with some almond milk since I don't do too well with dairy, but I'm sure it'll be delicious!
Ana De- Jesus
I can't wait to hear about the spiced orange version! I love that this peppermint version is guilt free and it looks heavenly!
Lauren
I am not a fan of mint chocolate, but I can't wait for the spice orange recipe.
Susie @ Suzlyfe
Alex doesn't like peppermint flavoring. He is a scrooge.
Sisley White
Oh this look delicious!
Love hot chocolate and will have to try this
Debra C.
What a yummy treat! I think I'd have to go with the whipped creme & crushed candy canes, it is just so pretty! Love that it's healthier too, beautiful photos.
kate @ VeggieDesserts
What a lovely hot chocolate to signal the start of Christmas!
Kristine
Yep, yep, yep! I love everything about this hot cocoa! I'll be making this really soon!
Platter Talk
Your peppermint hot chocolate post is perfect timing for 12/1! Looks very inviting.
Kathi @ Laughing Spatula
What beautiful pics! Love the addition of coconut milk as well and did someone say healthy and chocolate in the same sentence? I'm in!
Anna @AnnaTheApple
I love mint hot chocolate. Mint and chocolate is one of my favourite flavour combos (mint choc chip ice cream being the absolute best).
Rhian Westbury
Peppermint hot chocolate is pretty much my favourite thing so I'll definitely be making some of this over the Christmas period x
Nina
It's so cold here today. I wish I had a mug of this. Where do you buy peppermint extract from?
Sara Langley
We are in full on Christmas mode now. I was just looking for something to make for when we put our Christmas tree up and this popped up. My little boy will love it!
Bernie
That looks lush! I am one of those people that spends a fortune on Starbucks drinks, and I really need to cut back.
LaaLaa
Just looking at the calories alone it's a guilt free treat. I'd definitely love to try this out ASAP!