Peppermint Mocha Latte

A Peppermint Mocha Latte is the perfect hot drink for the holidays. This one is naturally flavored with home made mint simple syrup.

Here’s something you probably didn’t know about me: I am very particular about my coffee (some people might call me extremely picky). I like my coffee a certain way, to the point that I almost never get coffee from anywhere but my own kitchen.

I usually roast my own beans (except in the winter when it’s too cold to do it outside), and I always us my Aeropress to brew my double shot of espresso. Then I turn the espresso into an unsweetened latte with 1% milk, using my immersion blender to froth the milk.

I’ve been making my coffee exactly this way every morning for 3 years. But every once in awhile, especially in the winter, I’ll make myself a second, extra special latte in the afternoon as a little treat. It was on one of these afternoons that I developed the recipe for my Peppermint Mocha Latte.

Every fall, just before my mint freezes, I harvest a whole bunch of it and make a big batch of mint simple syrup to use in cocktails and other drinks. It usually lasts me through early winter, and one day I thought it might be a good way to sweeten up a latte.

Peppermint Mocha Latte Ingredients

Aside from the mint simple syrup, you only need a few common ingredients to make your peppermint mocha latte:

• milk (or your favorite dairy free milk)
• mint simple syrup (you need sugar, fresh mint, and water to make this)
• cocoa powder
• espresso or strong coffee

I wasn’t sure exactly how pronounced the mint flavor would be once mixed with coffee and chocolate, but it is definitely noticeable.

I’m not one for heavily sweetened drinks, so I only used 1 Tablespoon of the syrup. I used 1 teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder, which gives it a rich chocolate flavor.

I  can never resist a hot drink in the winter. What’s your favorite hot drink?

Peppermint Mocha Latte Nutrition Notes:

The above Nutrition Info uses 1% milk, which is what I usually use at home. If you’re looking to cut back on calories, you could use skim milk, or an unsweetened non-dairy milk like almond milk.

Want more Holiday inspired drinks?

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Peppermint Mocha Latte

A Peppermint Mocha Latte is the perfect hot drink for the holidays. This one is naturally flavored with home made mint simple syrup.

Prep Time10 mins

Total Time10 mins

Servings: 1 Latte

Calories: 90kcal

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup milk (use your favorite dairy free milk to make this recipe Dairy Free and Vegan)
• 1 Tablespoon mint simple syrup (see notes)
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1-2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup strong hot brewed coffee

Instructions

• Froth milk in a heatproof glass measuring cup (at least 2 cup size) or bowl until foamy using an electric immersion blender, battery powered milk frother or milk steamer. If you don’t have any of those, whisk vigorously until foamy. Add cocoa powder and simple syrup, and blend/froth again until well mixed. 
• Microwave milk mixture for 50 seconds to 1 minute on high power, watching so that it doesn’t foam over the top. Stir, and microwave again for 20-30 seconds until hot. 
• Pour espresso or coffee into a mug. Top with milk mixture. Garnish with a candy cane if desired.

Notes

The instructions to make homemade mint simple syrup can be found in the post for Extra Minty Mojitos.

Nutrition

Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Calcium: 160mg

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