Peppermint Hot Chocolate (Naturally Sweetened!)
Take a few minutes to relax this holiday season with a this naturally sweetened peppermint hot chocolate.
Good grief! How on earth did it get to be this close to Christmas? It feels like only yesterday I was hunting for my maternity pants so I could really let loose on Thanksgiving (I jest, I didn’t actually do that. But I did consider it.).
In the spirit of the season, I’m bringing you a festive, cosy treat to revive you in the flurry of wrapping paper, last minute shopping and social engagements. This peppermint hot chocolate is naturally sweetened with a little maple syrup, and can be easily made vegan. Like many of you, I balk at the sugar content (and sometimes junk content) of hot chocolate mixes. I love this recipe for its simplicity, just four ingredients which you probably already have, heat in a saucepan, and then get comfy under a warm blanket and sip away.
Happy Holidays, and enjoy!
- 2 cups milk (whatever you fancy, I've made this with almond and whole dairy milk)
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2-3 tbsp maple syrup or honey (depending on how sweet you like it!)
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract
- Mix a couple of table spoons of milk with the cocoa powder in a saucepan to make a paste. Whisk until smooth, and then turn the stove onto a medium heat.
- Whisk in the remaining ingredients, and heat through until the hot chocolate is hot but not boiling. Remove from the heat, and pour into two mugs.
Notes
If peppermint flavour isn’t your jam, it still tastes great without. A pinch of cinnamon instead does round out the flavour in give some seasonal spice.
Seriously need this beautiful hot chocolate!
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Love the sound of this yummy hot cocoa Emma! You’re right, way too much sugar in the store-bought brands. I happen to have some peppermint extract, so I’ll be giving this one a go soon! Have a wonderful holiday!
I have no idea where the year went, but it sure did go by in the blink of an eye! I am LOVING this hot chocolate! Sweetening it with maple syrup sounds amazing! And I just can’t say no to anything peppermint right now! This is hot chocolate perfection! Cheers, and thanks for sharing! 🙂
Peppermint is just about perfect with everything! Love it with chocolate!
What’s not to love about hot chocolate and I love the peppermint addition – definitely be trying this soon – perfect for the holidays. Have a wonderful holiday!
This sounds heavenly!
I’ll take it with peppermint, I’ll take it with cinnamon. I’ll take it with both. Gorgeous and delicious. GREG
Yeahhhh I can’t believe Christmas is only days away!! This hot cocoa sounds just perfect! Happy holidays!!
What a fun idea, Emma! I love the idea of adding a few drops of peppermint. It sounds so festive and cozy. I chuckled at your maternity pants at Thanksgiving comment…that’s a brilliant idea! I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas, my friend 🙂
Haha, you too Julia!
This does indeed sound like a perfect holiday treat. It’s still the holidays for me! 🙂 Love the natural sweetening versus pumping it full of sugar.
🙂 xx