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If you love Starbucks Peppermint Mochas, but hate the price, check out this delicious copycat recipe!
We're super excited about an amazing KitchenAid giveaway! Actually, it's beyond amazing, their spectacular KitchenAid® Pro Line® Series Espresso Maker in Candy Apple Red - and it could be yours. The giveaway guidelines are explained below, but we'd love to give you a little peek into how this beautiful machine operates. Scott, with our son Nick, put together a short video, featuring the espresso maker and my favorite seasonal coffee drink, peppermint mocha.
The only place I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying a peppermint mocha is at Starbucks, but at more than $4 a pop (cha-ching!), I have to restrain myself, as our budget just doesn't allow frequent coffee indulgences. Until now, that is.
Earlier this season, while still anticipating the first beloved chocolate and peppermint coffee drink, I got an idea. Why not figure out how to make these delicious drinks at home? Although I have an espresso maker that makes a wonderful peppermint mocha, my challenge was to develop a recipe that didn't require fancy, expensive equipment.
I started out with Starbuck's Peppermint Mocha description:
A holiday classic made with our signature espresso, steamed milk, sweet mocha sauce and peppermint-flavored syrup. It's all topped off with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls.
That was a great start! They use two different sauces; a sweet mocha sauce and a peppermint flavored syrup. I did a bit of googling, tried a few different recipes and came up with my own versions. You'll find the recipes below. The mocha sauce is wonderful drizzled on ice cream and makes wonderful hot chocolate when combined with milk and heated. Add a splash of the peppermint syrup and you've got a delicious Peppermint hot cocoa, yum!
Is steamed milk simply hot milk?
Now for the steamed milk. Is steamed milk simply hot milk? No, not really. Steaming milk with an espresso machine does make it hot, but it also creates foam (microfoam) or tiny bubbles. Can this be done without an espresso machine? Yup! There are actually a few ways to steam milk without fancy equipment. One of the easiest ways is to purchase an inexpensive handheld "frother". It's battery operated and all you do is place in warm milk and give it whirrrr.
There are also fairly inexpensive frothers that both heat and froth the milk. This Kuissential Deluxe frother is rated really well on Amazon. But guess what? You can create steamed milk in a clean empty glass jar! Yup, that's all you need. Just fill the jar halfway full and shake, shake, shake until the foam has double in volume (30-60 seconds). Then remove the lid and warm the milk for 30 seconds in the microwave. The heat will actually stabilize the foam! Cool, huh?
Espresso without a fancy machine
Espresso is hard to duplicate. It's a fairly precise science, although there are some amazingly simple espresso machines that do all the work for you. We love the beautiful KitchenAid Proline Espresso Maker you see in the pictures, but on busy days (that would be most days) we use our KitchenAid Nespresso Maker. Just slip in the pod, push the button and delicious espresso appears right before your eyes! It comes with its own Aeroccino milk frother so it's super easy to make all the fancy coffee drinks at home. If you have a coffee lover on your Christmas list, this would make a lovely gift!
Don't want to invest that much? How about authentic, delicious espresso at home every day for less than $25? This stove top espresso maker works great and produces velvety espresso in less than 5 minutes.
No espresso maker and you don't want to invest in one? You're okay on this front too. You can still enjoy peppermint mochas. It won't be exactly the same, but it will still be delicious. Just brew coffee in a regular pot using fine grounds and twice as much coffee as normal. Brew the coffee and make your peppermint mochas immediately after brewing according to the directions below.
So there you have it! The syrups are super simple to make and will keep in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. You'll find lots of other ways to use them, so they probably won't last that long. They'd make a fun gift for the coffee lover on your list. Just find some fun, pretty bottles and fill them up!
The Giveaway has been completed
P.S. By the way, Nick who's our coffee aficionado (aka coffee snob) says this Peppermint Mocha is better than Starbucks!
- 2 tablespoons Mocha Sauce see recipe
- 1 tablespoon Peppermint Syrup see recipe
- 3 ounces espresso or strong coffee see blog post for different ways to make espresso
- 8 ounces steamed milk see blog post for ways to create steamed milk
- whipped cream
- crushed peppermint chocolate curls mini chocolate chips or a dusting of cocoa powder
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Combine Mocha Sauce and Peppermint Syrup in a 12-ounce cup or mug
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Add espresso
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Steam milk and add to cup.
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Garnish with whipped cream
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Sprinkle with crushed peppermint, chocolate curls, mini chocolate chips or a dusting of cocoa powder
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Serve and enjoy!
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup coffee or water
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
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In a medium size sauce pan, whisk together the sugar and the cocoa powder.
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Slowly add the coffee (or water), whisking continually until all liquid has been added and mixture is smooth.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Watch pot very carefully, as you will have a huge mess if you walk away and mixture boils over. (Don’t ask me how I know this!) Simmer on low for 5 minutes.
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Cool completely then transfer to an airtight jar or bottle. Store in refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before using in coffee drinks.
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Combine water and sugar in a medium size pot and stir well. Bring mixture to a rolling boil over medium high heat. Stir to make sure all sugar is dissolved.
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Remove from heat and add peppermint extract. Allow to cool, then store in refrigerator in an airtight container. Bring to room temperature before using in coffee drinks.
Sj Dc says
the family gathering including cousins, aunts, uncles etc which lasts almost 2 days and copious amounts of food, booze, fun and laughter
Liz says
I love being with family---telling stories, eating good food, laughing and just being together!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I am a tea drinker, but this one looks just too good to miss in life!
Rikijean says
The very best thing about Christmas is remembering the true meaning and how there is joy even when their may be sadness around you.
Andrea says
Looks amazing! My favorite part about the holidays is decorating the tree with Christmas music going and family around!!
Syl Riehl says
Spending time with family! And friends!
Dawn Floodgate says
Love the smells of Christmas, cinnamon, turkey, evergreens they all trigger happy memories
Jan says
I love decorating my house and baking all kinds of goodies for everyone!
Carol says
For many years I have been making many batches of my caramels and wrapping them in colorful wrappers and packaging them in festive cellophane bags and passing them out to all the sweet people that I have come in contact with over the year. I especially enjoy those wonderful servers at Costco and Sam's Club who have served me taste treats all year and don't always get noticed by hurried customers. I love passing them out to the cashiers and shelf stockers at the Goodwill and other thrift stores I frequent during the year. I stop by the station that services my car and the cashiers at the grocery store and keep them nearby for the servers in restaurants. The smiles and hugs and friendships I have made with the Merry Christmas wishes that go along with the candies, is what makes me look forward to this holiday season the most.
This year we have an added blessing of our first two grandbabies to celebrate this Christmas!
Queenie Hamilton says
You have such a loving heart! How kind of you to remember everyone that way!
MaryB says
I love that we are going to visit our son and dil who live across the country!
Gayle says
Baking cookies with the kids is the best!
Jenn Anderson says
Singing Christmas carols is my favorite part of this time of year.
Lora J says
I look forward to all the church and community Christmas programs and music each year. I am singing in one this year with a symphony orchestra and chorale. I am excited and delighted and deeply moved.
rust says
My favorite thing is that I get to spend some time at my daughter's home.
Merry Graham says
I love hosting Christmas brunch for friends and family. Cheer to all!
cathleen | myculinarymission says
I never had the Starbucks version, but yours sounds delicious! I love the lights and baking up deliciousness during this holiday season.
Joyce says
I love seeing my grandbabies faces light up when they open their gifts and having the whole family together for Christmas.
Christy says
The Christmas stocking is my favorite tradition . When I was about 7 years old I found a little black kitten in my stocking. My mother filled our stockings every year until the year she passed away. That was 44 years of Christmas stockings.
Sara S says
I have so many favorites! It's spending time with family, cherishing all of our traditions. The beginning of the month is so busy and hectic, it makes the holiday itself seem slower and more peaceful.
Jennifer Essad says
being with family and friends who are able to come in from out of state is what I really look forward to during the Holiday Season
Misty Miller says
My favorite part of this time of year is hanging ornaments on the tree as a family!
Stefanie G says
I Subscribed to the Café email list. and following both accounts on instagram
Stefanie G says
I love the holiday movies - home alone, the santa clause, Christmas vacation, they always put me in a great mood! and I love the beautiful decorations!
Susan Wolfe says
My favorite thing is to share my favorite baked goods and candy with friends. I can't wait to try the copycat Mocha Peppermint coffee...sounds heavenly!
Maria says
My favorite thing about the holidays is being able to spend more time with my family, especially my grandchildren. Can't wait to try this recipe!!