If you’ve ever opted for a peppermint mocha at a Starbucks or an other popular coffeehouse you’ll know it for its delicious cocoa taste, dark brown alluring looks, with a feel good peppermint taste. Read until the end to uncover the ingredients, recipe and equipment needed to fine tune the peppermint mocha (with milk froth) recipe at home.
Served warm on a cold day, sips of a peppermint mocha delivers a sense of well being from your top to your toes. But with some forward planning, you can make this tasty treat at home with the benefits of tweaking the recipe to your own likes and saving some hard earned money into the bargain.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need to Make a Peppermint Mocha
The first thing you’ll need for your homemade peppermint mocha (with milk froth) is an espresso machine. Without an espresso machine, you won’t be able to make the espresso base in this recipe. Espresso machines come in several formats from capable budget 20 bar machines to more pricey automatic versions.
Secondly, you’ll need a milk frother which whips up micro bubbles in milk, creating velvety froth that you’ll know in your favorite cappuccino and other Italian style coffee beverages. Again there are several formats of milk frother from the $15 handheld to the inbuilt steam wand style found on espresso machines. Automatic stand alone frothers like the The Breville BMF600XL are worth a mention too, as they’re dedicated frothers which will churn out more and better quality froth than a handheld.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Once you’ve got all your kitchenware, you can start making your peppermint mocha (with milk froth). The first thing to consider is espresso; you’ll need 2 shots of espresso per serving for this recipe. Don’t forget you’re using espresso and not just coffee. 15 grams of drinking chocolate powder per serving.
Drinking chocolate is typically a mix of cocoa powder and sugar. If you want to avoid sugar use 100% cocoa instead and add the sweetener alternative of your choice (I will offer some alternatives further down the page). Some drinking chocolates will contain a much as 45% cocoa powder wile others as little as 20%. Higher the cocoa powder the more of an edgy bittersweet taste.
- Peppermint syrup
- Vanilla extract (optional for more sweetness)
- Whole milk or 2% milk, whatever you prefer for milk froth
- Toppings: whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles and a sprig of mint
- 15 grams of drinking chocolate powder
Step 1 – Make the Espresso
The fundamental ingredient of the mocha is the espresso. Use your home espresso machine to provide you with two shots of hot, delicious crema and distribute to your 10 ounce cup (glass would look nicer).
Stir the espresso and one tablespoon (15 g) of drinking chocolate together until the lumps have dissolved.
Step 2 – Add the Frothed Milk
An important factor here, is you don’t want your espresso, chocolate drink going cold while you fumble over making milk froth so if you have an espresso machine place the coffee cup on the top warming plate. Alternatively, while you’re making espresso, simultaneously work on the froth.
Making the Froth With a Handheld Frother
If you’re using a handheld milk frother, you’ll know that they don’t warm milk so you’ll need to place 3/4 mug of cold milk into the microwave until it reaches about 130-150 °F (54-66 c). Add the vanilla extract and peppermint syrup. Then turn on your handheld and dip the rotating whisk end deep into the milk and gradually lift and lower it.
Good milk frothers should give you the latte style froth you need within 45 seconds. Pour the warmed frothy milk and delicious flavors into your espresso, chocolate cups. Here is a handheld Zulay Original Milk Frother on Amazon which will do an excellent job on a budget (we may get a small commission for purchases).
Tip of The Day
Understandably, you may want to avoid sugar in your recipe. maybe you’re just consuming too much sugar recently? In that case substitute hot chocolate powder for cocoa powder. If you still crave a sweeter drink add more vanilla extract or consider using a spoonful of honey (though even honey should be consumed sparingly as it contains fructose).
If you’re concerned that you’re taking in too much added sugars, but you still need to sweeten your food or drinks, other natural sweeteners can be a good idea, as well, like vanilla extract, spices like cinnamon, or other natural things like cocoa powder, or almond extract.
Web MD
Garnish and Serve
A twist of whipped cream and a scattering of chocolate flakes adds a decadent taste and look to your peppermint mocha. A few peppermint leaves atop the creation bestows your peppermint mocha (with milk froth) recipe with salubrious looks and an extra je ne sais quoi in the taste department fit for your finest guests.
In Conclusion
Now you’ve hopefully, mastered the peppermint mocha (with milk froth) recipe at home, you can keep your fingers and toes warmer by staying home rather than seeking out a Starbucks or other Coffee bistro. Plus, those coffee shop bills can add up so put your feet up sip, your delicious creation knowing you’re saving money in the long term.
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- Read about rechargeable coffee grinders: 7 Best Rechargeable Coffee Grinders
- Read about automatic machines: Philips EP4347/94 Espresso Machine (With LatteGo Milk Frother) Review
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- Red Velvet Latte: Red Velvet Latte (With Milk Froth) Recipe
- Read: Best Budget Espresso Machines With 20 BARS (and Milk Frothers)