Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

With an intense white chocolate flavor, this Peppermint White Hot Chocolate is the perfect drink for the Holidays!

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With the weather getting cold, it is time for some hot chocolate. This Peppermint White Hot Chocolate has an intense white chocolate flavor with a touch of peppermint. Served with homemade whipped cream and crushed candy canes, this is the perfect drink for the holidays!

white hot chocolate dripping from the sides of the mug and topped with crushed candy cane

Right now, every coffee chain has some peppermint drink on the menu. I will be honest, I am not the biggest fan of peppermint or peppermint flavored drinks. It’s not that I don’t like it at all. I do enjoy peppermint flavored treats in small quantities especially over the holidays (like these Peppermint Macarons are a favorite)! Sometimes the flavor gets too overpowering and that’s when I don’t like them.

So, during the holidays if I want to enjoy something peppermint, I make this Peppermint White Chocolate at home. I add just enough peppermint to give it that subtle flavor without going overboard. Peppermint flavor is really strong, and a bit too much of the extract and your drink can taste like toothpaste (been there, done that).

Sarvesh loves white hot chocolate so this definitely makes a wonderful treat for him to enjoy as well. This white hot chocolate is seriously easy to make. All you need is milk (and cream if you wish to make it creamier), some white chocolate, peppermint extract and vanilla extract. Adding vanilla extract is optional but I do like adding it since it kind of balances the whole peppermint flavor in the drink.

Step by Step Instructions

1- To a pan on medium heat, add 1 & 1/2 cups of whole milk. You can also use skim milk if you like.

2- Then add 1/2 cup of heavy cream. You can also use just 2 cups of whole milk as well. The addition of heavy cream just makes it richer and creamier.

3- Chop 4 oz of white chocolate into small pieces and then add it to the milk and cream mixture.

4- Add 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract. You can skip the vanilla extract if you want and even double the peppermint extract. I like only subtle peppermint flavor so this amount works well for me.

step by step picture collage of making peppermint white hot chocolate

5- Stir using a wire whisk until the chocolate melts and everything is well combined and the hot chocolate is heated through. There’s no need to boil the mixture but heat it up well and then remove the pan from heat.

6- Take your serving glass and apply a little honey on the rim of the serving mug/glass. Dip the rim into a plate of crushed candy cane, since we applied honey, the crushed candy cane will stick to the rim. You can skip this step if you wish, it is for presentation only.

7- Pour the peppermint white hot chocolate into a serving mug.

8- Top with whipped cream and some more of the crushed candy cane. Serve immediately.

step by step picture collage of making peppermint white hot chocolate

Serving Suggestion

To make the drink look festive, I like to decorate the mug in which I serve the drink with some crushed candy cane. This is of course optional but does make it look Christmas-y.

Crush some candy canes using a mortar and pestle. Then coat the rim of the mug with some honey or corn syrup. Dip that rim in a plate of crushed candy cane. The crushed candy canes will stick to the rim. Now, pour your hot chocolate in the mug, top with some fresh whipped cream and some more crushed candy cane.

You can even place a candy cane on the side of the mug before serving. Now that does make it look so festive, doesn’t it?

Notes

  • Using vanilla extract is optional. I like to add it since it balances out the peppermint extract but you can skip it.
  • For a stronger peppermint flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract. For me that’s a bit too much, so I use 1/4 teaspoon only.
  • You can use just whole milk here, adding cream makes it richer and creamer but just like also works fine. You can even use half & half.
  • If you are not a fan of white chocolate and want to make a peppermint hot chocolate, you can definitely use regular or dark chocolate here.
white hot chocolate served in a blue mug topped with whipped cream and crushed candy cane

This post has been updated from the recipe archives, first published in December 2015.

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Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

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Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
With an intense white chocolate flavor, this Peppermint White Hot Chocolate is the perfect drink for the Holidays!

Ingredients 

  • 1 & 1/2 cups milk I used whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 4 oz white chocolate broken into pieces
  • 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • crushed candy cane to serve
  • whipped cream to serve
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Instructions 

  • To a pan on medium heat, add milk and cream. You can also use just 2 cups of whole milk as well. The addition of heavy cream just makes it richer and creamier.
  • Chop 4 oz of white chocolate and add that to the milk and cream mixture as well.
  • Add peppermint extract and vanilla extract (if using). Stir using a wire whisk until the chocolate melts and everything is well combined and the hot chocolate is heated through. There's no need to boil the mixture but heat it up well and then remove the pan from heat.
  • To make it look festive, take your serving glass and apply a little honey on the rim. Dip the rim into a plate of crushed candy cane, since we applied honey, the crushed candy cane will stick to the rim.
  • Pour the peppermint white hot chocolate into a serving mug. Top with whipped cream and some more of the crushed candy cane. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  1. You can skip the vanilla extract if you like. I like using it since it helps in balancing out the peppermint flavor but it is optional.
  2. Using only milk in this recipe is just fine. Adding heavy cream makes the hot chocolate richer and creamier. 

Nutrition

Calories: 536kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 30g, Saturated Fat: 18g, Cholesterol: 39mg, Sodium: 168mg, Potassium: 524mg, Sugar: 54g, Vitamin A: 395IU, Calcium: 417mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
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Hi, I’m Manali!

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19 Comments

  1. Welcome back, Manali! Hope you had a great trip visiting your family 🙂 I love peppermint all winter long so this cozy hot chocolate is just perfect! It looks so pretty & delicious!

  2. Haha vacations make me lazy too! I have to really push myself to get back to being productive. Buuuuut until then, I think I’ll cozy up with this white hot chocolate! Delicious!

  3. Peppermint white hot chocolate is one of my favorite drinks! I’m loving your version, Manali! Sounds perfect for the cold weather and snow that’s headed my way!

  4. I’ve never had a white hot chocolate before, only the regular one! Your photo looks amazing, now white hot chocolate is one my list of things to try in 2016!

  5. This hot chocolate looks absolutely delicious, not to mention it’s a image of beauty! Last night it started sleeting here in NYC and now it feels like cold weather is arriving… perfect for curling up with a warm cup of this!

  6. Oh, I absolutely hate jet lag too! The worst thing is that I can never sleep on the plane. I couldn’t even sleep on a 30-hour flight to Australia..This peppermint white hot chocolate is so creative, Manali! I think I really need to give it a try soon! 🙂

  7. I hate jetlag, I know exactly what you mean! It is the perfect time for this recipe, because it is still December! Pinned to try it!

  8. I’m a year round peppermint girl, and so I say peppermint is always in! But it definitely does feel the most festive from late November to mid January, don’t you think? Plenty of time to be drinking mugs and mugs of this deliciousness 🙂

  9. I love to curl up on the couch with a hot drink this time of the year. This peppermint white hot chocolate looks incredible!

  10. Glad you had a wonderful trip with your family. There’s nothing better. I’m with you on feeling lazy…although I don’t have any jet lag to blame. This hot chocolate says comfort all the way….comfort and yumminess!

  11. I say peppermint is totally still acceptable! I mean, we’re not even to New Years yet so I say bring on all the mint! 😉 This white hot chocolate looks SO cozy and perfect, Manali! I want a cup!

  12. Peppermint is totally acceptable all winter long in my opinion! Sure, it’s seen more often during the holidays, but the cold weather just screams for peppermint. It’s finally snowing (uh sleeting, freezing raining, etc) outside, and a mug of this white hot chocolate sounds awesome right about now.

  13. Manali this looks divine, especially love the pink color! Hope you had a fun relaxing time with your family back home in India! Happy holidays 🙂

  14. Glad to hear you had a fantastic time in India with your family. This peppermint hot chocolate looks divine, Manali! Hot chocolate definitely helps with jet lag! 🙂