Peppermint Mocha Recipe (Healthy)
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This Healthy Peppermint Mocha is the perfect holiday drink! Easy to make with only 5 ingredients! Paleo, vegan, and cheaper than Starbucks!
This Healthy Peppermint Mocha recipe 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 Peppermint Mocha 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 Homemade Peppermint Mocha is easier to make than any of the other recipes that require making special syrups!
We LOVE DIY lattes (like hello Gingerbread Latte or 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!)
Serve it with our Healthy Peppermint Mocha Muffins!
Ingredients
To make this healthy peppermint mocha, we use:
- milk – you can use whole milk or dairy-free milk, we like homemade almond milk.
- espresso – this is our favorite espresso machine, we’ve had it for years!
- peppermint extract – this is essential for that peppermint flavor. You can use it for baking too!
- cocoa powder
- maple syrup – honey or agave nectar can work too
Substitutions
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 dairy-free milk like oat milk or almond milk but if you like whole-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.
Recipe Instructions:
Making a healthy peppermint mocha is so easy!
- Whisk your almond milk, peppermint extract, unsweetened cocoa powder + maple syrup in a small saucepan on the stove over medium heat until combined and warm. Pour mixture into mug and top with espresso.
You can also make this recipe in the microwave and using a handheld milk 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, or you can try making it with instant espresso but the Nespresso machine is really the best.
Treat yourself and get the nespresso machine.
Recipe FAQ‘s
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:
Healthy Peppermint Mocha
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk regular or dairy-free
- 1/4 cup espresso (1 large 1-2 oz shot)
- 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Instructions
- In a small saucepan or microwave, heat milk until warm.
- Whisk in peppermint extract, cocoa powder + maple syrup.
- Whisk until warm and frothy. You can use a milk frother if microwaving to incorporate the ingredients.
- Pour milk mixture into a mug, and top with espresso and enjoy!
If I could give this a 4.5 I would. I am a big peppermint mocha fan and my prior attempts to make these at home with other recipes have not been successful but this recipe was delicious and will be my new go to. Thanks for posting.
I love this recipe. It’s totally easy, using ingredients I already have on hand. It’s so much healthier than any packaged product you buy. I’m really grateful for all the substitutions Liz gives in her recipes, too. It makes cooking so much easier. The Clean Eating Couple is my “go to” for all recipes now.
You’re so sweet, Kathleen! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I love Peppermint Mocha and was so happy to find your recipe! Wonderful when made exactly as written! On days I need a protein boost, I use 1 cup of a vanilla protein shake instead of the milk! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Love that idea of using the protein!! Thanks for trying!
I fell in love with Stok’s Peppermint Mocha this holiday season. Can this be made as an iced latte, and do you think I could make multiple servings to keep in the fridge for the week?
I think that would probably work! You’d have to shake it up pretty well – it might separate!
Just what I needed. Perfect! Thank you!
Literally amazing! All I wanted was a healthy white chocolate mocha and couldn’t find it anywhere!
I don’t know if I did something wrong but it was really strong on the peppermint and was bitter. What could have caused the bitterness?
I wonder if your peppermint extract was bad. This definitely shouldn’t be bitter, especially with the maple syrup!
Oh my goodness I realized what I did wrong. I used 1/4 tsp of peppermint instead of 1/8! Made a huge difference! So yummy!
I loved Starbucks peppermint mochas, but knew they were unhealthy. The taste of this recipe is far superior, and I don’t feel gross (bloated, headache, why did I drink them?!). I use organic cow milk when I prepare it.
This saves time, money, and health.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
So happy you enjoyed it!
We made this yummy recipe yesterday and drank it while we were making our Christmas cookies, which is an annual tradition with me and my daughter. We used vanilla oat milk and then topped it with shaved Andes mints. I did add a packet of Stevia to make it a bit sweeter! Highly recommend this for the holidays! Feels like Christmas in a mug! We will make it again on Christmas Eve!
Love this, Debi! Thank you so much!
I was trying to stay away from sugar and I love peppermint mocha lattes. I was wondering why more baristas don’t offer sugar free latte options, since so many of us have switched over to healthier lifestyles. Then I saw this recipe on Instagram and I followed the recipe and left out the syrup. It was so satisfying. I’m glad the cleaneatingcouple continues to post new recipes that fit the seasons!
So glad you like it, Leah! Thank you so much!
So simple and delicious!!!!!
So glad you liked it, Patty!
Can you make this with just decaf coffee?
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
I’m going to make this tonight to have while decorating our tree!
Hope you love it!
Just made this and it was so yummy!!
Thanks, Christina!! Glad you liked it!
Made Sunday morning, was delicious! By far better then Starbucks!
So glad you liked it, Monica!
Made it this morning and it’s so delicious! It’s a quick and easy recipe to follow and tastes better than the Starbucks version.
So glad you liked it, Teresa!
Made this this morning and it was SO good and easy!! Can’t wait to have it again!
I’m so glad you liked it, Lindsay!! 🙂