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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.
Carmen Dean says
Love the decorating, the music, the cooking and baking, the busyness of preparing for the family to be together. So grateful for all of that! But the best part is the quiet time reflecting on the birth of our Savior.
sharon says
Family gatherings are a holiday favorite1
Laura | Tutti Dolci says
Yes please, a peppermint mocha is just what my Monday afternoon needs! I love decorating the tree (my mom and I still do that together), and I love worship on Sundays in December... there's something magical about singing Christmas songs with the white lights all aglow.
Amy says
What a delicious looking drink! I worked as a barista for over 5 years and was always amazed that people could afford to come in and pay $4 every day! Thanks for sharing this recipe, it take a little practice to get making espresso drinks down but so worth it! Plus with all that money you'll be saving you can enjoy time spent with friends and family (my favorite part of the holidays!!) and of course the fudge ????
Linda Jean says
The sights and sounds - they lift me out of the cold!
Evelyn says
best things this year: Family and to be at good health
Ali says
Spending time with my family and seeing the smiles on my kids faces best part!
Shana says
What a wonderful giveaway! I just found your website and can't wait to dig in deeper. My favorite part of the holidays, besides spending time with family, is the cookies! I love how everyone has their own family recipes and favorites. It's fun to share and a great time to enjoy eating sweets without the guilt.
marie says
i really love the holiday decor
Angela Williams says
I actually have two favorite things about this season of the year: family and the special music. I love, love, love Christmas music and I love the fact that family members from far and near make a point of gathering together.
grace says
telling everyone about my pregnancy! 🙂
BeckyPB says
My favorite thing about this season is my family coming together for special dinners, brunches and the like. We usually get together at my house and we have so much fun doing the baking and cooking for each of these times together. All of us are coffee lovers - so what a great giveaway to participate in during this season!
Annamarie V says
My favorite thing about the holiday's is getting together with my family , this will be a special year because we have a new addition to our family my baby niece.
Annette says
I love all the decorations and shiny lights, plus the great meals and treats to be had during this time.
Kristen acosta says
My favorite part of the holiday season is being with family! On a side note......This is the most beautiful espresso machine I've ever seen ???? I can't wait to try this recipe too!
Tammy Mims says
Cooking for family!
Nicole Martin says
My favorite part is just watching my kids get really excited for Christmas.
julie says
i love making sweets during the holiday season. Following you and kitchenaidusa on instagram
Pat Lake Abshier says
I love the whole spirit of the holidays! For me it's about family, friends, kindnesses, giving and joy.
It is seeing the excitement in the faces of my children and grandchildren. I look forward to this time of year and the warmth it brings to our hearts.
dorothy says
Watching my Grandchildren get up in the morning and seeing all the wonderful things under the tree
melody says
OHMYGOODNESS! Thanks for the recipe & chance(s) to win that incredible espresso maker. My favorite thing about Christmas is family ~ and now that all 3 of my boys drink coffee, having a cool machine to gather around Christmas morning would be awesome! 🙂
Cindy Bills says
I have a new favorite thing!
I am going to be a grandma next spring, so my favorite thing will be spoiling her rotten LoL
Jennifer says
My favorite baking activity for the holidays is making a gingerbread house!!
DC says
Of course, favorite things are family and celebration of the true meaning of the season. Close second would be all the cooking and eating! PS. I made your beef bourguignon soup and my husband said it was by far the best beef/soup/stew meal he have ever had! Thank you for all the great recipes!
Lourdes J Colón says
I love everything about Christmas! From the decorations, food, music and sharing all of that with family and friends.