Skinny Peppermint Mocha Recipe
This Skinny Peppermint Mocha is a delicious, calorie-wise version of the Starbucks holiday coffee drink complete with candy canes, whipped cream and mint syrup!
This post is sponsored by PC Black Label – thanks for supporting the brands that help keep my blog up and running!
I don't know about you but I am completely in the holiday mood now that we are about a month away from Christmas! My roommate and I have our Christmas decorations up, and I'm getting into complete cozy mode for the rest of the season, which will definitely involve plenty of these Skinny Peppermint Mochas!
I grabbed one recently at one of my favourite coffee shops while out and about doing some holiday shopping and I guess you could say it's been a while since I indulged in one since I only just noticed how pricey they are! $6 for a peppermint mocha?! No thank you!
I love my fancy coffee drinks and they're a great way to get in the holiday spirit, but I just can't justify the price or the calories. What's a girl to do? Well, make her own homemade peppermint mocha, and make a healthier version!
Aside from these homemade peppermint mochas, downtown Toronto really is the place to be if you want to get in the holiday spirit. We've got this giant outdoor Christmas market in the Distillery District that everybody highlights on Instagram (it's practically obligatory) and just about everywhere you go there are lots of lights and decorations.
Even the CN Tower is lit up red and green, it's so cool!
With the end of the year coming up fast, I've got a special giveaway available to readers thanks to my partnership with PC Black Label! If you've been following along with my blog this year, then you'll know I’ve been working with President’s Choice and their PC Black Label for the past two years in a row – they send me a surprise black box full of amazing ingredients and then I get to develop a new recipe with them!
And of course we'd love for you to get in on the action and learn to #PlayWithYourFood too! Keep scrolling to find out how to win a PC Black Label black box of your very own as well as a $50 PC gift card – I told you this is the best time of the year!
I love PC Black Label because the products are aimed at passionate foodies who love experimenting in the kitchen. The products are inspired by current food trends that encourage you to think outside the box to create something delicious at home. I've received everything from squid ink pasta to pizza sauce and pickled hot peppers.
This month, I received PC Black Label Fig Cabernet Wine Jelly, PC Black Label Pure Peppermint Extract and PC Black Label Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean in my PC Black Label black box, and immediately the peppermint extract stood out to me as the clear choice in making something special for the holidays.
How to Make a Skinny Peppermint Mocha
Now the key to making this Skinny Peppermint Mocha is by using non-dairy milk and cocoa powder instead of real chocolate to keep the calorie count down. Technically you can use any type of milk in your peppermint mocha though, so don't be afraid to use what you have on hand! I just prefer almond milk because it's super low in calories and it also blends well with the cocoa powder and coffee, though coconut milk would also be amazing.
You'll want to make the peppermint syrup first though, and it's SO easy. You'll be able to store the syrup in a mason jar in the fridge so you can enjoy peppermint mochas all month long – it's basically just a blend of sugar and boiling water, then you'll add a tablespoon of peppermint extract to the mix.
A little bit of the peppermint syrup goes a long way and the cocoa powder adds the chocolate flavour. Top with 2 espresso shots and you have a delish Skinny Peppermint Mocha in no time!
Don't you sometimes wish Christmas could be as magical a time when you're an adult? Nowadays, special occasions feel like they just fly by in such a rush! That's why I love to be able to stretch out the celebrations and take a little bit of me time with this sort of mocha latte.
Enjoy one or two while you're wrapping presents or completing other activities that lead up to the holidays. You'll feel great about saving money and still indulging in one of your favourite coffee recipes at home!
And if you're looking for more delicious coffee recipes, I have some iced coffee recipes that are perfect for year round drinking (yes, I'll drink iced coffee even in a blizzard!!!), and you will also love this Cinnamon Dolce Latte.
Will you be making your own Homemade Skinny Peppermint Mocha?
And of course you'll also want to join in on this awesome giveaway for a chance to win your very own black box! All you have to do is let me know what you would make with the ingredients from this month's PC Black Label black box – make sure you use the hashtags #PCBlackLabel and #PlayWithYourFood in your entry! Enter via the Rafflecopter box below!
For more inspiration and for the full collection of products, visit pc.ca/blacklabel!
Homemade Peppermint Mocha (Video!)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cups almond milk (can use any milk though)
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp mint syrup (see below)
- 2 espresso shots
- Light whipped cream (optional)
- 1/2 Candy cane, crushed
Mint syrup
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp mint extract
Instructions
- Make the mint syrup by mixing together boiling water, sugar and mint extract. Set aside - this syrup will last up to a month in the fridge so you can enjoy a skinny peppermint mocha all December long!
- Add milk, cocoa powder and mint syrup to a mug, then microwave 1-2 minutes (will depend on the power of your microwave and how hot you want your mocha). Stir well before and after microwaving.
- While milk mixture is in microwave, brew 2 espresso shots. Add shots to the milk mixture, then top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes (both optional toppings), then serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Soozle says
I would love to try the #PCBlackLabel PC BLACK LABEL FIG CABERNET WINE JELLY and use it on top of baked brie for a great app! #PlayWithYourFood
Soozle says
I would use the #PCBlackLabel peppermint extract to add to homemade browniies for a holiday twist. #PlayWithYourFood
Travelbuds says
I would love to make fudge with PC Black Label peppermint extract. I’m sure it would be amazing. #PCBlackLabel #PlayWithYourFood
samantha says
The Spicy cheese twists would be fun and Vanilla ice cream sandwiches. #PCBlackLabel and #PlayWithYourFood