November Means Peppermint Mocha Season
19 
November 12, 2012
Are you cold? I don’t know about where you are, but the weather is changing here.
The leaves are blowing all around and the sky is dark - I NEED coffee. Or to put it more clearly, I WANT a peppermint mocha! hot milk....chocolate.....yum.....
These bad boys come in a cute red cup and just instantly make winter disappear for about 10 minutes. Then, you realize you just drank 500 calories and start to feel bad.
Do I have a solution for you?!!
I picked up some peppermint extract and dark chocolate syrup from the supermarket and after about 5 tries - I got made my OWN peppermint mocha latte. I was a bit buzzed from drinking so much coffee but I managed to get to sleep at 3 AM.
The key here is portion size. I couldn't get it to work unless I made one that was about 1/2 cup in size. You just need too much chocolate if you make a bigger one to get the right ratio of flavors.
Also, you need the teeniest, tiniest drop of peppermint extract. I poured too much in the first time and my peppermint mocha tasted like toothpaste. ARGH! I would even recommend using a medicine dropper if you have one.
I used a milk frother (see below) to get the milk all bubbly. You don't need an espresso maker to make this drink - and you can skip frothing the milk if that is just too fancy for you.
Have you tried to make any of the milky Christmas drinks at home?
printSnack Girl Peppermint Mocha Recipe
1/4 cup lowfat milk
1/4 cup coffee
1 tablespoon dark chocolate syrup
1 drop peppermint extract
Brew some coffee and heat milk in microwave until hot. Mix chocolate syrup and peppermint extract into coffee. Foam milk with milk frother or just pour hot milk into cup. Sit down and enjoy!
79 calories, 0.8 g fat, 15.2 g carbohydrates, 2.5 g protein, 0 g fiber, 42 mg sodium, 2 PointsPlus
IKEA Produkt Milk Frother
$0.69
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19 Comments:
This sounds good, also I have to go to IKEA for the frother. BB&B had one for 10.00! Don't want to pay that much for something I won't be using that often.
Sue on November 12, 2012
For those who are lactose intolerant (or vegan/dairy free) so coconut makes a chocolate peppermint coconut milk this time of year. I do half coffee and half warmed coconut milk-yum... And about 50 cal
Chrystal on November 12, 2012
Chrystal thanks for the heads up. I didn't know they make that, will have to look for it as I use that brand in my coffee.
Sue on November 12, 2012
Sounds yummy! As far as other Christmas drinks - I love egg nog and have found a few low calorie/low fat recipes that work.
De on November 12, 2012
If you have a Magic Bullet or similar bullet-type blender, you don't even need to go out and buy a milk frother! Heat the milk in the microwave and, using one of the short blending cups, blend in the bullet for a few seconds: hot, frothed milk, no frother necessary!
Also, thanks for this post--peppermint mochas are my deep, dark, not-so-secret winter obsession.
Alex on November 12, 2012
Why are they called "Christmas drinks" and not Winter drinks? Can not people of all outlooks enjoy them all winter long - in either hemisphere? When North America is scorching hot it is Winter south of the Equator! I'm for the globalization of beverages!
Robin on November 12, 2012
Try making a simple syrup (sugar + water redux) to add peppermint to - to avoid adding too much to coffee.
Jbenn on November 12, 2012
Only 1/2 cup? I guess I'll add more cardio and get the real deal and also treat the drink like a treat :-)
MonicaP on November 12, 2012
Puh. I read this wanting to find out how to make the pretty design on top. ;-)
Sis on November 12, 2012
Love your recipes and comments.
Jan on November 12, 2012
So not the same as this but I wanted hot chocolate really bad this morning and almost drove to Starbucks. Instead I opened the fridge and poured 8 oz of sweetened almond milk in a mug and heated it up. After I added alittle coco powder and it was good! 90 cal and totally fixed my hot choc craving
Erin on November 12, 2012
Have you tackled and succeeded a really good pumpkin spice latte? I've tried about five recipes and every one has been just so-so to bad. I try desperately to avoid artificial sweeteners (other than stevia). So I'm using the recipes that call for actual pumpkin and/or pumpkin pie spice. The spice gets all chalky towards the end of the drinks I can't get it to work!
Stephanie on November 12, 2012
I found this one but have not tried it yet. I hope it's ok to post a link here?
http://www.anediblemosaic.com/?p=10557
Sis on November 12, 2012
Erin, that sounds DELICIOUS - I'm going to try it,THANKS - but I buy the Silk unsweetened almond milk that is only 35 calories for 8 oz. I don't mind Stevia or Splenda - so I will put that in it. I wonder how many calories are in the coco powder.
Helene on November 14, 2012
my fave warm drink is peppermint hot chocolate! i make them at home in our Mr. Coffee Cocomotion with peppermint marshmallows. it tastes awesome :)
kelsey on November 14, 2012
I can not wait to try this one!!! It sounds soooo good and is a heck of alot cheap than Starbucks!!
Jennifer on November 15, 2012
Ok - so I have been making Erin's hot cocoa. The cocoa is 15 calories for a tablespoon (and a tablespoon is TOO much), my unsweetened almond milk is 35 calories for 8 oz. and a packet of Splenda - I even put in a droplet of mint extract. For less than 50 calories and no added sugar, I get a DELICIOUS cup of hot cocoa that does NOT taste dietetic at all. Swiss Miss Diet hot coco is 25 calories and has an awful aftertaste; whereas this mixture is truly yummy. Thanks, Erin :-)
Helene on November 16, 2012
I'm the one responsible for making some fancy coffee on Sunday mornings. Definitely going to try this one, however, not sure if I'm able to make that beautiful design on top.
Sebastian A.. on November 25, 2012
Jennifer Drummond on November 12, 2012