Peppermint hot chocolate is the ultimate cozy winter drink, made dairy-free in this easy recipe! Homemade hot chocolate has never been easier!

All of my vegan and dairy-free friends: rejoice! A festive peppermint hot chocolate that is dairy-free and vegan and ready for you to enjoy! And per usual around here, I have some further suggestions for customizing this cozy drink to make it a perfect fit for your tastes and your lifestyle.

How to Make Peppermint Hot Chocolate

While you can make this cocoa on the stove top, this busy mom's tried-and-true method uses the microwave. Of course, the microwave makes this drink come together in just a couple minutes. But for whatever reason, I also find that my taste buds can't detect any weird alcohol aftertaste from the peppermint extract when I heat it with the "milk" together in the microwave, as opposed to on the stove-top.

Once your milk substitute (i.e. almond milk) is heated, add the remaining ingredients - cocoa powder and honey or maple syrup. You can certainly whisk it, but I find mixing it with a milk frother (affiliate link) to be better. The milk frother creates a super smooth and frothy peppermint hot chocolate! My backup method is to combine and blend all the ingredients in my blender. The milk frother is just smaller and less to clean afterwards. 😉

You can leave as is or garnish with some whipped cream or coconut whip, peppermint and chocolate shavings, a candy cane, etc.

There are also some variations to help you customize this peppermint hot chocolate to be exactly what you're looking for.

Collagen Peppermint Hot Chocolate

While collagen definitely isn't vegan, it is dairy-free and it's my personal favorite way to add a boost of protein to something I'm eating or drinking. One scoop of unflavored collagen peptides provides some protein that helps make this hot chocolate a little more balanced and filling. And the collagen peptides blend in perfectly - totally undetectable! (Check out these posts for research on collagen benefits and side effects and answers to common collagen questions.)

Creamy, Decadent Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Try taking out a tablespoon or two of almond milk (or whichever milk!) and substituting one or two tablespoons of full fat, creamy coconut milk from a can (or other shelf-stable package). This type of coconut milk is ultra creamy and decadent. It definitely helps give this peppermint hot chocolate a richer mouthfeel!

Nut-Free Peppermint Hot Chocolate

If you're allergic to nuts or can't tolerate almonds/ almond milk in any way, feel free to use any type of unsweetened, plain milk alternative you prefer. Ideas? Rice milk, hemp milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc. Find what you enjoy the most and helps your body feel your best!

Want more healthier, cozy beverages?

Try these Nutrition to Fit warm beverages that have healthier modifications:

• Golden Chai Latte
• Pomegranate Hot Chocolate
• Gingerbread Chai Latte

When you make this dairy-free peppermint hot chocolate, take a picture and share it to social media (tag @nutritiontofit and #nutritiontofit). Enjoy, and live well!