This Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa Recipe is made without refined sugar and is a delicious winter treat!
Heads up! This recipe was originally published in December 2010. Photos were updated November 2017. The original text remains. Enjoy!
It is cold outside and the snow just keeps coming. I am trying to embrace the season with the classic foods and drinks that scream winter, like soups, meals made with seasonal vegetables, and of course, hot cocoa. 
What would a snowy winter be without being able to come in from the cold and enjoy a mug of hot cocoa? When I was growing up, having hot cocoa meant ripping open a package, pouring in some water, and heating it up in the microwave. As a child, there was no thought that went into what I might be drinking.
Now, as a mom, I have to make the decision between convenience and knowing (and feeling good about) the ingredients. A popular instant hot cocoa packet has the following ingredient list:
SUGAR, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, VEGETABLE OIL (PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COCONUT OR PALM KERNEL AND HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN), DAIRY PRODUCT SOLIDS, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, AND LESS THAN 2% OF CELLULOSE GUM, NONFAT MILK, SALT, SODIUM CASEINATE, SODIUM CITRATE, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM ALUMINOSILICATE, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, GUAR GUM, ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS.
I have to choose between all of ^^^those^^^ ingredients and the list in a cup of homemade hot cocoa, which includes: nondairy milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, a natural liquid sweetener, and peppermint oil extract.
I can have this Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa recipe made in almost the same amount of time, so really, there’s no question which one I’m going to choose. I don’t need refined sugar to be the number one ingredient in my hot chocolate, and I don’t want corn solids, hydrogenated oils, and other chemicals that I don’t know enough about in there, either.
I included just a drop of peppermint oil extract in my hot cocoa because I’ve been craving the combination of mint+chocolate, but you can leave it out for a classic, no-refined-sugar hot chocolate treat. The recipe is for one mug, but you can easily double, triple or quadruple the recipe to make enough for your family.
Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa Recipe
Use unsweetened almond milk, a natural liquid sweetener, unsweetened cocoa powder, and peppermint extract to make a healthier Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa!
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (I used almond milk, any kind of milk will do the job)
- 1 1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2-3 tablespoons liquid sweetener of choice (maple syrup, agave nectar, or honey all work well)
- 1 drop peppermint extract
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the cocoa powder and sweetener and stir until they are combined. Set aside.
- Put the milk in a small sauce pan over medium low heat. Stir in the chocolate mixture and heat until steaming. Add the drop of peppermint extract. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
If you make this Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa recipe, or any Happy Healthy Mama recipe, I would LOVE to see it! Please take a pic and share it on Instagram or the Happy Healthy Mama Facebook page and tag me @happyhealthymama ?
Also, if you try it, would you mind rating the recipe? It’s VERY helpful for me and other readers if the recipes have ratings and reviews. I appreciate you!
If you’d like to save this recipe for later, here’s an image to save to your Pinterest recipe board!
Want more yummy and healthy peppermint recipes? Here you go!
Peppermint Brownies (vegan and gluten-free)
No Bake Chocolate Peppermint Balls (vegan and gluten-free)
Healthy Living Playbook!
I just enjoyed a homemade peppermint hot cocoa the other night! It’s a wonderful way to relax and feel festive. 🙂 Thanks for your recipe!
Thank you for this post! I was actually just thinking about this a few days ago. I figured peppermint extract would be the way to go, but glad to hear it was a success from someone who’s tried it. I also like that this is much more cost effective than going to Starbucks to get it. 🙂
I know that the packaged Hot Chocolate has some iffy ingredients, but I like it so much! I’ll have to try your recipe though.
My dad always made homemade coco, so did my mom, actually. I remember learning how when I was little & thinking it was cool. Yours sounds really yummy. I don’t think I’ve made any (or had any!) since I was a kid…maybe this year.
Your parents are awesome! 🙂
This is how I make my hot chocolate too! But with raw cacao powder…anyway…I’ve discovered something that makes it even more delicious! SEA SALT on top….YUM.
Oooh sea salt on top sounds delicious! I need to try this.
this was delectable! added some coffee, a cinnamon stick, and a little bit of cayenne for a subtle kick 😉
Ooh coffee is a fabulous idea! Might need to do that soon. 😉