Drinks

Peppermint Mocha

Name: Peppermint Mocha
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 1/2 cups whole milk; 1 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped (about 3 tablespoons chips); 1 cup hot strong coffee or 1/2 cup espresso; 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract; Whipped cream; 2 candy canes, crushed

Strong coffee, real chocolate and a touch of peppermint make a coffeehouse-style treat at home, with no espresso machine needed. Pour it into your favorite holiday mug for an afternoon movie.

Makes: 2 servings
Prep: 5 min
Cook: 5 min
Ready in: 10 min

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped (about 3 tablespoons chips)
1 cup hot strong coffee or 1/2 cup espresso
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

For serving

Whipped cream
2 candy canes, crushed

Steps

In a small saucepan, stir the cocoa and sugar together, then whisk in about 3 tablespoons of the milk to make a smooth paste.
Whisk in the rest of the milk and add the chocolate. Heat over medium-low for 4 to 5 minutes, whisking often, until the chocolate melts and the milk steams. Do not let it boil.
Off the heat, pour in the hot coffee and peppermint extract and whisk to blend. Taste, and add a drop or two more extract if you want more mint.
Whisk hard for 30 seconds, or use a milk frother, until foamy. Pour into two mugs.
Spoon whipped cream on top, sprinkle with the crushed candy canes and enjoy it while it is hot.

Good to know

For mochas all season, whisk 1/2 cup cocoa, 3/4 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat until smooth and just simmering, then take it off the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon peppermint extract. Keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and use 2 tablespoons per mug of hot coffee and milk.
For a crowd, multiply everything by 4 and keep it warm over low heat for up to 1 hour, with whipped cream and candy canes set out for topping.
Decaf coffee works well for an evening movie, and oat milk with dairy-free chocolate makes a dairy-free mug.
Use peppermint extract rather than mint extract, which often includes spearmint and can taste like chewing gum.