Only 6 ingredients are needed to make this creamy, vegan and dairy-free Peppermint Hot Chocolate. A perfectly sweet, warm and festive drink to enjoy in the winter.

Rich and Creamy Peppermint Hot Chocolate (Vegan)

If you like the combination of chocolate and mint, then you have to give this recipe a try!

Deliciously rich from 2 kinds of chocolate, creamy from the almond milk and creamer, then add a little minty flavor and sweetness and you've got the most amazing hot chocolate.

I have been making this rich and creamy peppermint hot chocolate for my family this season and we can't get enough.

This is far superior than any pre-made hot chocolate mix you can buy. It also rivals, or dare I say, is better than hot chocolate from coffee shops, which I always think are quite good.

Homemade is better though. You have control over the sweetness and is much more budget-friendly. Plus, you can buy all the ingredients, which are quite simple, and have them on hand to make this hot chocolate over again.

So let's talk about those ingredients.

Ingredients

Cocoa powder

Be sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder (sometimes labeled as cacao powder) so you can be in control of the level of sweetness of your hot cocoa.

Semisweet Chocolate

As you see in the photo, I used chocolate chips. My favorite are the Enjoy Life chocolate chips. These are free from all the major allergens and have an amazing taste.

However, you can certainly use any brand of semisweet chocolate chips or semisweet chocolate bar that you prefer.

Almond Milk

I find that unsweetened almond milk is not overpowering so it's great when mixed with other flavors. Plus, I love it's creaminess and how well it goes with the next ingredient, peppermint mocha nutpods.

You can also use unsweetened oat milk or use regular milk if dairy-free isn't a concern.

Peppermint Mocha Nutpods Creamer

I am in love with this flavor of nutpods. If you're not familiar with this brand, nutpods is a dairy-free, sugar-free coffee creamer made of almond milk and coconut cream. It comes in a variety of flavors and the peppermint is one of their seasonal holiday ones. It has a slight peppermint mocha taste, froths up beautifully, and is amazing in coffee and in this recipe.

You can use my affiliate code EVERYDAYLATINA to get 15% off of your first order of nutpods on nutpods.com.

Maple Syrup

I love the flavor of maple syrup in my hot drinks. Not only does it sweeten them, but it adds those hints of caramel, toffee, and vanilla that make up maple syrup.

Plus it's a natural sweetener and is a better choice than regular sugar.

Click here to read about why maple syrup is a healthier option than regular sugar.

With that being said, maple syrup is still added sugar and we are indulging here, so you can of course use regular sugar or agave syrup if that's what you have on hand. You can also try honey for a non-vegan version.

Peppermint Extract

The nutpods adds a bit of peppermint flavor, but we want that minty-ness to really come through. Peppermint extract is powerful stuff, so only a few drops are needed to make the minty taste shine.

This extract is also a good choice in case you can't find the peppermint nutpods.

How to Make Rich and Creamy Peppermint Hot Chocolate (Vegan)

Begin by adding 3 ½ cups of almond milk and ½ cup of nutpods to a medium pot or saucepan.

Bring to a simmer.

Add in 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder, ½ cup of chocolate chips, 4 tablespoons of maple syrup and ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract.

Whisk well until everything is combined and the milk is frothy. If you have one, you can also use a handheld milk frother to mix and froth the milk.

Heat on medium heat for another 2 minutes and stir occasionally. Keep a close eye on the mixture to be sure it doesn't boil and overflow.

Rim Mugs with Candy Canes

This step is completely optional, but it makes the drink much more festive and adds another delicious minty touch.

First, dip the rim of your mugs into a plate with honey. Honey will work better than maple syrup because it will harden and not drip as much. Set aside to allow the honey to harden.

Then, take 2-3 candy canes and place them in a Ziploc bag. Close the bag and use a meat ballet or other heavy item to crush up the candy canes into small pieces. Place the crushed candy canes on a small plate.

Lower the rim of each mug into the crushed candy canes and rotate until covered.

Serving and Storing

Serve your hot chocolate in the prepared mugs. Garnish with mini marshmallows and a sprinkle of cocoa powder if desired.

If you have some leftover, store the hot chocolate in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. To reheat bring to a slight simmer for 2 minutes on the stove or warm it up in a mug in the microwave.

I hope you enjoy!

Please leave me a comment below if you make this or tag me on Instagram @everydaylatina.

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