Easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate

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Deck the halls with delicious drinks! This easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate is a seasonal stunner—made with dark chocolate, pure peppermint extract, and your milk of choice, it's cozy, rich, refreshing, and a dose of pure holiday happiness. Perfect for holiday get-togethers, cozy afternoons in, Christmas movie marathons, and more.

Prep Time2

Cook Time3

Total Time5

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Servings: drink

Calories: 369kcal

Author: Megan Byrd

Equipment

1 small saucepan

Ingredients

1 cup milk of choice (I used 2% milk)
1 ½ oz dark chocolate
1 teaspoon brown sugar
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
whipped cream and/or crushed candy canes optional for garnish

Instructions

Add milk, dark chocolate, and brown sugar to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Whisk until the chocolate is melted, the hot chocolate is steaming, and everything is well-combined.
Remove from heat and stir in the peppermint extract. Pour into a mug and top with whipped cream and/or crushed candy canes if desired. Drink up!

Notes

Recipe Success Tips

Don't boil the milk. Though it can be tempting to speed things up, keep the heat on medium-low. Overheating can scorch the milk, giving it a bitter, burnt flavor. Warm it just until steamy and the chocolate has melted.

Whisk well. This helps the chocolate melt faster and creates a smooth, creamy texture. For a light, velvety consistency, froth the hot chocolate with a milk frother before garnishing and serving.

Use high-quality chocolate. The chocolate is the star here, so choose a bar or chips you’d enjoy eating on their own. Aim for 60–70% cocoa solids for a balanced flavor, or go darker if that’s your preference.

Add the extract last. Whisk in the peppermint right before serving—it can lose flavor when exposed to too much heat, so adding it last keeps it bright and fresh.

Sweeten to taste. Start with one teaspoon of brown sugar, then adjust as needed—especially if you prefer a sweeter drink or are using a darker chocolate.

Nutrition