Recipes· 1 min read
Peppermint Mocha
Chocolate, espresso, and peppermint with steamed milk — the holiday classic, made at home any time.
House Blend Cafe· 2026-08-20
We're a seasonal shop, open Saturdays only.
You'll find us at the counter on Saturdays, from just after Labor Day through the Saturday before Christmas, 10 AM to 2 PM. The rest of the year we're closed. Order ahead and we'll have it waiting, or see hours and location.
The peppermint mocha is the holiday drink that shows up on every café menu in December — and it's easy to make at home any time of year. It combines the chocolate-espresso base of a mocha with a hit of peppermint, finished with whipped cream and crushed candy canes for festive crunch.
Ingredients
- 2 shots of espresso
- 1.5 tbsp chocolate sauce
- 0.5–1 tbsp peppermint syrup (or 2–3 drops peppermint extract)
- 8 oz whole milk
- Optional: whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, crushed candy canes
Step-by-step
- Add the chocolate sauce and peppermint syrup to a 12 oz cup.
- Pull two shots of espresso over the sauces and stir until smooth.
- Steam the milk to glossy microfoam.
- Pour the milk into the cup, blending with the chocolate-peppermint base.
- Top with whipped cream, a chocolate drizzle, and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes.
Tips for the best cup
- Peppermint is potent — start with less and add more to taste.
- Peppermint extract is far stronger than syrup; use it by the drop.
- A dark chocolate base balances the mint's sweetness better than milk chocolate.
Key takeaways
- A peppermint mocha is a mocha with peppermint syrup or extract added.
- Use peppermint sparingly — a little goes a long way.
- Crushed candy canes on top give the classic holiday crunch.
#peppermint mocha#mocha#peppermint#holiday#hot drinks
