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    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Peppermint Hot Chocolate (Dairy-Free!)

    Author: Lindsey Janeiro, RDN Published: Dec 6, 2018 · Updated: Dec 3, 2021 · 13 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

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

    A flatlay picture of dairy-free peppermint hot chocolate with a heart made out of candy canes. 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.

    Peppermint hot chocolate being mixed with a milk frother.

    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.)

    A close-up shot of dairy-free peppermint hot chocolate with creamy foam and garnished with crushed peppermint and shaved dark chocolate.

    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!

    A hand holding a glass mug of peppermint hot chocolate.

    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!

    A flatlay picture of dairy-free peppermint hot chocolate with a heart made out of candy canes.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 7 votes

    Peppermint Hot Chocolate

    Peppermint hot chocolate is the ultimate cozy winter drink, made dairy-free in this easy recipe! Homemade hot chocolate has never been easier!
    free from: gluten/wheat, dairy, soy, egg, shellfish, fish, peanuts (*tree nut free option available, see recipe notes)
    Prep Time1 min
    Cook Time2 mins
    Total Time3 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 86kcal
    Author: Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
    • ⅛ teaspoon pure peppermint extract
    • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
    • 2 tsp honey
    • optional garnish: crushed peppermint, chocolate shavings, whipped cream or coconut whip, candy canes, etc.
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • In a small microwave-safe container, combine almond milk and peppermint extract. Heat on high for 2 minutes.
    • Add cocoa powder and honey. Use a milk frother to combine all the ingredients into a smooth, creamy, frothy peppermint hot chocolate. (Alternatively you can mix in a blender.)
    • Serve with any optional garnishes (if desired) and enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutrition information is calculated using unsweetened almond milk. Nutrition information does not include garnishes and will vary based on any substitutions, including the following:
    To make nut-free, use a nut-free milk substitute (i.e. soy milk, hemp milk, ice milk).
    To make ultra creamy, take out 1-2 tablespoon almond milk and add 1-2 tablespoon canned coconut milk.
    To add a protein boost, add 1 scoop unflavored collagen peptides prior to mixing. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 86kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Iron: 0.8mg

    Pinterest Image for Dairy-Free, Peppermint Hot Chocolate

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tawnie Kroll says

      December 11, 2018 at 10:52 am

      I usually make my cocoa with regular milk but it was so creamy and yummy with the almond milk!! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        December 12, 2018 at 12:10 pm

        You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    2. Meme says

      December 11, 2018 at 2:26 pm

      Hot Chocolate is my favorite seasonal drink! I will be adding peppermint now!!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        December 12, 2018 at 12:09 pm

        Same here! Enjoy the peppermint twist! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Natalie says

      December 13, 2018 at 12:02 pm

      This was such a nice twist on traditional hot chocolate!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        December 15, 2018 at 10:06 am

        I'm glad you enjoyed, thank you!

        Reply
    4. Emily Kyle says

      December 13, 2018 at 8:14 pm

      Never thought about adding collagen to my hot chocolate. I'll have to try it this week along with peppermint!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        December 15, 2018 at 10:06 am

        It's been my favorite way lately to enjoy a more balanced/ blood sugar regulating drink!

        Reply
    5. Lorie says

      December 16, 2018 at 8:41 pm

      A milk frother is on my wish list this holiday. But this was still amazing in the blender!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        December 17, 2018 at 11:25 am

        I just have a cheap $2.99 one from IKEA and seriously use it every single day!

        Reply
    6. Liz Shaw says

      December 17, 2018 at 12:49 am

      Almond milk is quickly becoming my new fav!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT says

        December 17, 2018 at 11:23 am

        Same here! I go through stages and switch things up from time-to-time, but I'm definitely currently on an almond milk kick!

        Reply
    7. MRC says

      December 26, 2018 at 1:10 am

      Wow, This looks yummy. And love your step by step instruction to make this at home. I will try it for sure. Thanks for the sharing this yummy recipe with all of us.

      Reply

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