Healthy Peppermint Mocha

This Healthy Peppermint Mocha is the perfect holiday drink! Easy to make with only 5 ingredients! Paleo, vegan, and cheaper than Starbucks!

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This Healthy Peppermint Mocha might just be my favorite winter drink. It’s super simple to make, requiring only 5 ingredients and a few minutes of time. It tastes 100x better than Starbucks and has 1/4 the amount of sugar when compared to their drinks.

Even if you aren’t looking for a ‘healthier’ recipe – this single serve Peppermint Mocha is easier to make than any of the other recipes that require making special syrups!

Close up of Healthy Peppermint Mocha Recipe with ornaments, candy canes and chocolate off to the side.

We LOVE DIY lattes (like hello Gingerbread Latte & Pumpkin Spice Latte !) – yes please!

What makes this latte ‘healthy’?

Let’s compare this Healthy Peppermint Mocha to Starbucks Peppermint Mocha.

Starbucks Tall Peppermint Mocha with Almond Milk: 350 Calories, Fat: 13g, Carbs: 48g, Sugar: 42g
Our Healthy Peppermint Mocha Latte: 63 Calories, Fat: 3g, Carbs: 7g, Sugar: 5g

I mean… do we really need to say more? Our healthy Peppermint Mocha Latte has less calories, less fat, less carbs, and less sugar than Starbucks… It’s also made with only 5 ingredients, versus Starbucks which has 20+ ingredients. You can see their nutrition facts here.

Not to mention that it’s cheaper and just as quick to make your own latte at home!

If you love getting a peppermint mocha from Starbucks or your favorite coffee shop, you’ll love making one at home! It’s so much cheaper and better for you! (Plus you only need minimal ingredients!)

Ingredients for Healthy Peppermint Mocha

To make this healthy peppermint mocha, we use:

You can find substitutions for all of these ingredients below in the green shaded substitutions box.

Peppermint Mocha Recipe Ingredients: milk, maple syrup, peppermint extract, cacao powder and espresso

How to make a Peppermint Mocha:

Making a peppermint mocha is so easy!

Whisk your almond milk, peppermint extract, cocoa powder + maple syrup in a pot on the stove over low heat until combined and warm.
Pour mixture into mug and top with espresso.

A close up of a peppermint mocha being whisked together on the stove

You can also make this recipe in the microwave and using a handheld frother.

Can I make this without an espresso machine?

Technically yes, but we don’t recommend it. Our Nespresso is one of the most used kitchen utensils that we have and I think it is well worth the $$ (If you buy even ONE latte a week at Starbucks and make it at home instead this will pay for itself!)

You could sub in 1/2 cup coffee to this recipe but it will not have the same amount of caffeine and may taste a little watered down. You can try doubling up the amount of coffee to water ratio in your drip coffee maker to make a stronger cup of coffee

Treat yourself and get the nespresso machine

Healthy Peppermint Mocha on a grey background with christmas decor around it.

Substitutions for this Healthy Peppermint Mocha

Can I make this whole30? Yes, omit the maple syrup.

Maple syrup: You can substitute maple syrup with honey or agave nectar. If you substitute with honey it will not be vegan.

Milk: You can use any milk in this recipe and it will work just fine. I prefer non-dairy milk but if you like regular milk and don’t follow any specific diet feel free to use that!

Iced: You can make this recipe iced but the cocoa powder might not mix very well. We recommend using a handheld frother to make sure it combines.

Peppermint Extract: Peppermint extract or ‘flavor’ is essential for this recipe. You can grab it on amazon here. You might be able to stir in candy canes or crushed peppermint into the hot milk for a similar flavor but I haven’t tried it so I can’t be sure.

A close up of a peppermint mocha on a grey background with candy canes and ornaments off to the side

Peppermint Mocha FAQ

Is a peppermint mocha unhealthy?

A peppermint mocha definitely isn’t the healthiest option for a drink. Peppermint Mochas are high in calories, sugar and fat. Which is totally fine if you’re looking for a treat – but it isn’t the healthiest choice. If you’re looking for a healthier peppermint mocha it’s best to make it yourself.

Other healthy holiday recipes:

If you’re looking for other holiday recipes check out these Healthy Christmas Recipes! We love celebrating during the holidays with these festive recipes: