I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client.
Peppermint season is almost upon us. In four short days (the day after Thanksgiving, for those counting), let all things pumpkin terminate and may peppermint reign down upon me. I love it. It just screams Christmas to me. Candy canes. Peppermint-flavored desserts, hot chocolate, and coffee. Uhm actually, wait...
I feel like we're pretty close at this point. Not share our toothbrush close (Asheley and I aren't even at that point yet... and really, gross). But we're close enough that I can tell you a secret and it'll stay between us, right? Okay, here it goes. I have never tried coffee. Nope, never. Well, okay, I've eaten coffee-flavored things, but that doesn't count. I'm talking any sort of beverage varietal.
That normally shocks people when I tell them. How have you never tried coffee?! I don't need the caffeine (I'm one of those annoying people that actually likes the morning), I'm not really a fan of the smell of coffee, and I think deep down I'm afraid of liking it and beginning a daily dependency on it.
That being said, my wife is an addict.
I shouldn't say addict. That gives off a negative connotation, doesn't it? She just likes it. A lot. And most of my friends love coffee as well. Now that we're entering the holiday season and we'll be entertaining a whole lot at our house, I want to be able to offer my family and friends a more festive, indulgent, and elegant after-dinner drink.
And what screams festive, indulgent, and elegant more than Homemade Peppermint Mocha? It's pepperminty. It's chocolatey. And sshhh, between you and me, it's so easy to make.
I may not love coffee, but I do love peppermint. I tried some of this special, seasonal peppermint coffee creamer right from the container and was pleasantly surprised how good it was! Sweet peppermint nectar!
And guess what?
People, this is big. You may want to sit down. I'll wait.
For the first time ever, I tried coffee. Coffee actually touched my lips. I couldn't resist taking a sip of this Peppermint Mocha. I was totally enticed by the minty chocolately goodness.
I can no longer say that I've never tried coffee. Sure it was surrounded by milk, chocolate, and peppermint, but I still had coffee within a beverage. It counts! And it was actually quite enjoyable.
I can't wait to host a little dinner party this winter so I can whip these up after dinner. Now I just need to stir up a couple friends for the occasion. Any volunteers?
Easy Homemade Peppermint Mocha
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Two (12-ounce) Peppermint Mochas
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons warm water
- ½ cup hot espresso or strongly-brewed coffee
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup Coffee-Mate peppermint mocha creamer
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate syrup, for garnish
- Candy canes, for garnish
Instructions
- Crush one candy cane and place on a plate. Carefully drizzle chocolate syrup around rim of a mug, then roll rim of glass in crushed candy cane pieces. Repeat with other mug.
- Combine cocoa powder and water in a small bowl to make a syrup. Pour in espresso/strongly-brewed coffee and stir. Divide between the two mugs.
- Meanwhile, combine milk and peppermint creamer in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and heat mixture until hot and steamy. Using a whisk or preferably, an immersion blender, froth the milk until foamy. Pour milk mixture into mugs.
- Top with whipped cream, some more crushed candy cane pieces, and place one candy cane in each mug to serve as a stirrer. Serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
Check out this digital magazine to get some more great ideas for the holiday season from Coffee-mate and more!
Ashley
I have a few friends who have never had coffee - craziness! I love my morning coffee ... and am quite cranky without it. This sounds delicious - I love making coffee shop type beverages at home!
Chris
Well I'm glad I'm not the only one that's never tried it. Haha my wife is the same way without her morning coffee!
Erin
Oh. My. Gosh. Never tried coffee?! My jaw dropped. But so glad you tried this! I hate to say that I've been happily addicted for about 5 years now... I'm 22. Oops. Anyway, these look fantastic! And not intimidating like lots of fancy make-at-home coffee drinks. If you need some dinner party guests, count me in. I'll just make a quick trip out to New York. 😉
Chris
And if you come to NY, then you can totally go to Levain Bakery and cross it off from your bucket list! And I know, I'm a total werido for never trying coffee!
Sandra
That drink looks so good it could be fake! Never had coffee before what kind of weirdo are you? Same as me because, well, I have had coffee but I normally don't drink it either and my husband is addicted. No question in my mind completely addicted. Peppermint and chocolate are one of my favorite flavor combinations and it definitely makes Christmas time much more enjoyable. Love this 🙂
Chris
Haha I know I'm a huge weirdo and proud of it! Peppermint and chocolate is the epitome of Christmas flavors to me! 'Tis the season!
'T
Nicole
Uhhh, you're a morning person!?! Good idea on not trying coffee because it is easy to become addicted! I never liked coffee until I had my daughter, now I drink copious amounts. So this Peppermint Mocha is looking really good to me!
Chris
Yup, I'm totally one of those annoying morning people. I'm so much more efficient the first couple hours I'm awake when compared to the last few before bed!
Tina
I love mint, chocolate and coffee so this is calling out to me. Perfect for this time of the year and so pretty. 🙂
Chris
Thanks so much Tina! Mint and chocolate is one of my favorite combos too, especially in ice cream 🙂
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
I'm not really a big coffee drinker either, but haven't EVER had it? That's crazy! When I do drink it, something like this would be perfect, a little coffee flavor and a lot of other good stuff! Yum!
Chris
I know, it's unbelievable I've gone this long. But you're totally right, this is the perfect way to introduce coffee... surrounded by chocolate and peppermint 🙂
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker
I love how festive this drink is! Perfect for this Christmas season. Pinned! Have a great week Chris.
Chris
Thanks so much Anne! 'Tis the season!