This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclaimer page.

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·Leave a Review

I drink a nourishing hot chocolate pretty regularly because it’s such a cozy way to end the day! My favorite addition to my hot chocolate lately has been peppermint extract and homemade, healthy marshmallows. If you love to eat healthy, but also love a delicious dessert, then this Peppermint Hot Chocolate is for you. It’s a delicious recipe but uses healthier ingredients + has protein added.

Nutritional benefits of this recipe

I use cacao powder rather than cocoa powder. Cacao is the raw, unprocessed version and it’s truly a superfood! It is rich in antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, as well as mood-boosting phenylethylamine and tryptophan. Overall, cacao is great for brain health, blood circulation, heart health, sleep, skin, and more.
Using milk from grass-fed cows gives you a much purer, nutrient-dense milk. I personally opt for raw milk in most of my milk recipes – I understand if that’s not your thing or if you don’t have access to it! But if you do, just make sure it’s from a good farm and always grass-fed cows. If using raw milk, just be careful not to boil the mixture or else you’ll lose out on the precious enzymes that are in it!
Pure maple syrup is used as the sweetener, which is rich in minerals like manganese, (33% of your daily value!), zinc, calcium, and potassium. I actually consider maple syrup a superfood! You can also sub with coconut sugar or date syrup instead – whatever you prefer or have on hand!
Adding collagen to the drink will add protein, making it more balanced in macros, and collagen is fantastic for hair, skin, nails, and the GI tract.

Ingredients for Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Milk – use grass-fed always!

Cacao powder – this is very different from cocoa powder, so definitely don’t mix it up because cacao is so nutrient-dense whereas cocoa is processed and therefore lacking nutrients.

Maple syrup or coconut sugar as the sweetener. Maple syrup is rich in minerals like manganese, (33% of your daily value!), zinc, calcium, and potassium! Coconut sugar and maple syrup are both lower glycemic than refined sugar.

Peppermint extract – optional.

Collagen – Optional for protein.

Optional superfoods – you can add ashwagandha, maca, reishi mushroom, etc.

Method

In a small pan, heat the milk until warm, then add the cacao, maple syrup (or coconut sugar, peppermint extract, and collagen (if using) and use a milk frother to mix it all together.
Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into your mug. If you don’t have a fine mesh sieve, that’s fine! You can just pour it straight into the mug. Enjoy!

Modifications for Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Omit the peppermint extract if you prefer just regular hot chocolate.
For a lightened up version, you can sub some of the milk for water. I would start with 3/4 milk and 1/4 water. I’ve also enjoy a 1:1 ratio (half a cup each) and still enjoyed it, but it’s definitely not as rich.
To make it dairy-free, you can use coconut milk instead of regular milk.

Other recipes you’ll love

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles

The Best Creamy Coconut Chai Latte (dairy-free)

I hope you love this Peppermint Hot Chocolate! Please be sure to leave a comment and rating if you try it out. I would love to know what you think!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Author: Christine Manes
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Category: Dessert, drink
Method: Stovetop

Ingredients

Scale

8 oz grass-fed milk (sub lite coconut milk for dairy-free version)

2 Tbsp raw cacao powder (do not pack)

1–2 Tbsp pure maple syrup (or coconut sugar)

1/8 tsp pure peppermint extract

Optional: 1 scoop grass-fed collagen

Optional: 1/2 tsp ashwagandha

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

In a small pan, heat the milk until warm and steamy (do not boil!), then add the cacao, pure maple syrup (or coconut sugar), peppermint extract, and collagen (if using) and use a milk frother to mix it all together.
Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into your mug. If you don’t have a fine mesh sieve, that’s fine! You can just pour it straight into the mug.
Dust with cacao powder if desired. Enjoy!