Your grande peppermint mocha has about 54g of sugar. This one has 9g added and still tastes like December.
A Starbucks Peppermint Mocha copycat made with real cocoa, 85% dark chocolate, espresso, a little maple and pure peppermint extract. About 290 calories, 10g protein and 9g added sugar.
The short answer
This healthy peppermint mocha is a copycat of the Starbucks holiday favorite, made with espresso, steamed milk, real cocoa, a square of 85% dark chocolate, two teaspoons of maple and pure peppermint extract. It has about 290 calories and 9 grams of added sugar. A grande from the chain with 2% milk and whipped cream lists about 440 calories and 54 grams of sugar.
On this page
The red cups are back. Starbucks returned the Peppermint Mocha to its holiday menu on November 5, and suddenly every afternoon wants one. So here’s the version you can make in your own kitchen in 5 minutes, with real chocolate and real peppermint, and none of the 8 pumps of syrup.
It’s built the Clean Fit Fab way: real food, big flavor, and no seed oils.
Why this healthy peppermint mocha beats the coffee shop version
- Way less sugar. A grande from the chain lists about 54 grams of sugar. This healthy peppermint mocha has about 9 grams added from maple, plus the milk’s natural sugar.
- Real chocolate flavor. Unsweetened cocoa and a square of 85% dark chocolate melt into the milk, so it tastes deep and rich instead of candy-sweet.
- About 10 grams of protein. A full cup of milk does that, so the drink actually holds you for a while.
- Pure peppermint, no syrup. A quarter teaspoon of pure peppermint extract is all it takes.
Sweet drinks are one of the biggest sources of added sugar. The Harvard Nutrition Source notes that the American Heart Association suggests no more than about 24 grams of added sugar a day for most women, so one grande mocha can pass that by itself.
The flavor: what makes it taste so good
The chain drink gets its flavor from mocha sauce and peppermint syrup. Here, you build it from the real things. Cocoa and dark chocolate whisk into hot milk for a thick, velvety base. Then espresso brings the bitter edge, maple rounds it out, and a pinch of sea salt makes the chocolate taste even more like chocolate. Finally, pure peppermint extract adds that cool holiday finish.
- Two shots of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee
- Unsweetened cocoa plus a square of 85% dark chocolate
- Two teaspoons of pure maple syrup
- A quarter teaspoon of pure peppermint extract
- A pinch of sea salt, plus real whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top
What you need
Here’s a quick look at the ingredients. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Peppermint mocha: whole milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, 85% dark chocolate, pure maple syrup, sea salt, pure peppermint extract, espresso
- Topping: heavy cream, 85% dark chocolate
Also, a note on fat: we cook with extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, butter or ghee. They taste better, and they’re real food.
How to make healthy peppermint mocha
First, warm the milk in a small pot over medium heat until it steams. Next, whisk in the cocoa, chopped dark chocolate, maple and salt until the chocolate melts. Then take it off the heat, stir in the peppermint and espresso, and froth it with a whisk or handheld frother. Pour it into a mug and top with whipped cream and shavings. The full recipe card is below.
American · Drinks
Healthy Peppermint Mocha (Starbucks Copycat)
A Starbucks Peppermint Mocha copycat with espresso, steamed milk, real cocoa, 85% dark chocolate, maple and pure peppermint extract. About 290 calories and 9g added sugar.
Prep
2 minCook
5 minTotal
7 minservings
1Vegan version. Unsweetened soy milk takes the place of dairy milk and keeps about 7 grams of protein, and the whipped thick top of a chilled can of coconut milk replaces the dairy topping. Use a dairy-free 85% dark chocolate.
Ingredients
Peppermint mocha
Topping
Peppermint mocha
Topping
Method · tap a step to mark it done
Warm the milk in a small pot over medium heat until it steams and small bubbles form at the edge, about 3 minutes. Don't let it boil.
Start 3 min timerWhisk in the cocoa, chopped dark chocolate, maple and salt until the chocolate melts and the milk is smooth, about 1 minute.
Start 1 min timerTake the pot off the heat and stir in the peppermint extract. Taste and add a drop more if you like it cooler.
Pull your espresso into a mug, or pour in the strong coffee.
Froth the chocolate milk with a whisk or handheld frother for 20 seconds, then pour it over the espresso.
Top with the whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings and serve right away.
Warm the soy milk in a small pot over medium-low heat until it steams, about 3 minutes. Keep it below a simmer so it stays smooth.
Start 3 min timerWhisk in the cocoa, chopped chocolate, maple and salt until melted and smooth.
Off the heat, stir in the peppermint extract.
Pull the espresso into a mug, or pour in the strong coffee.
Froth the chocolate soy milk for 20 seconds and pour it over the espresso.
Top with the whipped coconut and chocolate shavings.
Calories
290Protein
10gCarbs
25gFat
18gFiber
3gCalories
250Protein
9gCarbs
22gFat
15gFiber
4gNutrition is per serving and estimated.
Serving ideas
Enjoy this healthy peppermint mocha in your favorite mug in the afternoon, or pour it over ice for an iced version. Plus, it pairs well with a handful of almonds or one of our dark chocolate tahini stuffed dates.
Nutrition at a glance: each serving has about 290 calories, 10g protein, 25g carbs and 3g fiber. Numbers are estimates and change with your exact ingredients.
Swaps and variations
- Make it iced: let the chocolate milk cool, then pour over ice with cold espresso and skip the whipped cream or add a splash of cold cream.
- No espresso machine? Use 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee and reduce the milk to 3/4 cup.
- Go decaf in the evening, or use strong brewed chicory for a coffee-free mocha.
- For a vegan version, use soy milk and whipped coconut (see the vegan switch on the card).
Make-ahead and storage tips
This drink is best fresh. However, you can make a batch of the chocolate base (milk, cocoa, chocolate, maple and salt) and keep it in a jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. Then shake it, warm a cup in a small pot and add the espresso and peppermint.
Frequently asked questions
Is a peppermint mocha healthy?
The chain version is more of a dessert. A grande with 2% milk and whipped cream lists about 440 calories and 54 grams of sugar. This homemade copycat has about 290 calories and 9 grams of added sugar, with real cocoa and dark chocolate.
What is in a Starbucks peppermint mocha?
It’s espresso, steamed milk, mocha sauce and peppermint syrup, topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls. A grande usually gets four pumps of each sauce, which is where most of the sugar comes from.
Can I use peppermint oil instead of extract?
Only if it’s labeled food-grade, and use just 1 drop, since oil is far stronger than extract. Pure peppermint extract is easier to measure.
How do I make it sweeter without adding much sugar?
Add a little more milk and a pinch more salt first, since both make chocolate taste sweeter. Then add maple a half teaspoon at a time.
Save this one for your next long day. Want more? Try our dark chocolate tahini stuffed dates next.
This article is for general information and is not medical or nutrition advice.
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