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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Drinks

    Peppermint Hot Chocolate

    Published: Dec 10, 2018 · Modified: Dec 5, 2022 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 50 Comments

    805 shares
    • 475
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    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Gluten Free / Low Fat / Vegetarian
    Peppermint hot chocolate with a text title overlay.

    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 this hot chocolate with peppermint too.

    Two glasses of hot chocolate with cream, candy canes and a nutcracker figure.

    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?

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love it
    • Ingredients needed
    • How to make peppermint hot chocolate -Step by step
    • Adding alcohol
    • Hot chocolate toppings
    • What to serve with peppermint hot chocolate
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Extra tips
    • More Christmas drinks
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love it

    • The best way to start the festive season - This mint hot chocolate 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 this peppermint hot chocolate recipe 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 compared to a Starbucks peppermint hot chocolate.
    • Great to serve up at a Christmas party - Having a kids Christmas party? Serve these Christmas hot chocolates 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

    All the ingredients needed to make this recipe with text overlay labels.
    • 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. You can use peppermint oil too, but it is a much stronger 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.

    How to make peppermint hot chocolate -Step by step

    One: Put the skimmed milk and coconut milk in to a pan and bring to the boil.

    A saucepan with milk, cocoa powder and vanilla.

    Two: Stir in the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes.

    Mixed hot chocolate in a saucepan with a whisk.

    Three: Pour in to mugs and top with cream and crumbled candy canes.

    Adding alcohol

    If you are hosting a Christmas party and want to have something festive and non-alcoholic to serve up, then these peppermint hot chocolates 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
    Crushed candy canes sprinkled over whipped cream on top of a glass of hot chocolate.

    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

    Can you make a dairy free peppermint hot chocolate?

    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.

    Can I add alcohol to peppermint hot chocolate?

    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.

    Can I reheat leftovers?

    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.

    Is peppermint hot chocolate 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.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • 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.
    • To make this even more indulgent, then you can melt some dark chocolate in to it rather than just using cocoa powder.

    More Christmas drinks

    • Cranberry Smoothie
    • Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
    • Mulled Apple Juice
    • Christmas Snowman Hot Chocolate

    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

    Two latte glasses filled with peppermint hot chocolate.

    Peppermint Hot Chocolate

    This lightened up Healthy Peppermint Hot Chocolate has less sugar than most. That hint of peppermint is sure to get you in the festive mood.
    A circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    the words low fat in a white circle.
    Low Fat
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
    Vegetarian
    5 from 43 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: British, Christmas
    Prep Time: 1 minute
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 11 minutes
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    Servings: 2 people
    Calories: 191kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 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.
    • To make this even more indulgent, then you can melt some dark chocolate in to it rather than just using cocoa powder.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1glass | Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 127mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 410IU | Calcium: 251mg | Iron: 0.8mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    • Christmas Drinks

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. nicol

      December 01, 2016 at 9:44 pm

      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

      Reply
    2. Planet Jodie

      December 01, 2016 at 9:25 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so lovely and christmassy! I love candy canes. I want one now haha...not good on a diet lol x

      Reply
    3. Helen @ family-friends-food

      December 01, 2016 at 9:24 pm

      5 stars
      This looks fantastic! We are definitely into hot chocolate season now, so I'll have to give this a go.

      Reply
    4. Miracle Max

      December 01, 2016 at 8:09 pm

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
    5. Elodie

      December 01, 2016 at 7:45 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    6. Ana De- Jesus

      December 01, 2016 at 6:16 pm

      5 stars
      I can't wait to hear about the spiced orange version! I love that this peppermint version is guilt free and it looks heavenly!

      Reply
    7. Lauren

      December 01, 2016 at 6:08 pm

      5 stars
      I am not a fan of mint chocolate, but I can't wait for the spice orange recipe.

      Reply
    8. Susie @ Suzlyfe

      December 01, 2016 at 5:53 pm

      5 stars
      Alex doesn't like peppermint flavoring. He is a scrooge.

      Reply
    9. Sisley White

      December 01, 2016 at 4:48 pm

      5 stars
      Oh this look delicious!
      Love hot chocolate and will have to try this

      Reply
    10. Debra C.

      December 01, 2016 at 4:17 pm

      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.

      Reply
    11. kate @ VeggieDesserts

      December 01, 2016 at 4:00 pm

      5 stars
      What a lovely hot chocolate to signal the start of Christmas!

      Reply
    12. Kristine

      December 01, 2016 at 3:59 pm

      5 stars
      Yep, yep, yep! I love everything about this hot cocoa! I'll be making this really soon!

      Reply
    13. Platter Talk

      December 01, 2016 at 3:44 pm

      5 stars
      Your peppermint hot chocolate post is perfect timing for 12/1! Looks very inviting.

      Reply
    14. Kathi @ Laughing Spatula

      December 01, 2016 at 3:39 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    15. Anna @AnnaTheApple

      December 01, 2016 at 3:19 pm

      5 stars
      I love mint hot chocolate. Mint and chocolate is one of my favourite flavour combos (mint choc chip ice cream being the absolute best).

      Reply
    16. Rhian Westbury

      December 01, 2016 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      Peppermint hot chocolate is pretty much my favourite thing so I'll definitely be making some of this over the Christmas period x

      Reply
    17. Nina

      December 01, 2016 at 2:26 pm

      5 stars
      It's so cold here today. I wish I had a mug of this. Where do you buy peppermint extract from?

      Reply
    18. Sara Langley

      December 01, 2016 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    19. Bernie

      December 01, 2016 at 12:08 pm

      5 stars
      That looks lush! I am one of those people that spends a fortune on Starbucks drinks, and I really need to cut back.

      Reply
    20. LaaLaa

      December 01, 2016 at 12:02 pm

      5 stars
      Just looking at the calories alone it's a guilt free treat. I'd definitely love to try this out ASAP!

      Reply
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