Coffee-corner   |   Homemade Peppermint Mocha Recipe (Hot or Iced) | Easy Holiday Coffee with Crushed Candy Cane

Homemade Peppermint Mocha Recipe (Hot or Iced) | Easy Holiday Coffee with Crushed Candy Cane

By a Bug & a Bean | Posted on 2025-12-08

Make a cozy homemade peppermint mocha in minutes! Includes instructions for hot and iced versions, cold foam topping, and how to make crushed peppermint from candy canes or peppermint candies. Delicious holiday coffee shop flavor made at home.

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Table of Contents

• Ingredients
• How to Make Crushed Peppermint
• How to Make Peppermint Cold Foam
• Hot Peppermint Mocha Instructions
• Iced Peppermint Mocha Instructions
• Printable Recipe Cards

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Celebrate the holiday season with this delicious homemade peppermint mocha! It’s rich, chocolaty, perfectly minty, and incredibly easy to make at home. Whether you prefer your coffee hot and cozy or iced and refreshing, this recipe gives you both options. We’ll also make crushed peppermint from candy canes or peppermint candies, plus a festive peppermint cold foam to top everything off.

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk (any kind)
• 1/2 cup brewed strong coffee or 1–2 shots of espresso
• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup or cocoa mix
• 1/4–1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (to taste)
• 1–2 teaspoons sugar or simple syrup (optional)
• Whipped cream or cold foam (optional)
• Crushed peppermint for topping
• Ice (for iced version)

How to Make Crushed Peppermint

You can use either peppermint candies or candy canes to make your own crushed peppermint garnish. This adds a pretty, sparkling touch and extra holiday flavor to your drink.

Coffee Lover Holiday Gift Guide

1. Place unwrapped peppermint candies or candy canes into a zip-top bag.
2. Press out the air and seal the bag tightly.
3. Use a rolling pin or heavy kitchen tool to gently crush the candies into small flakes.
4. Sprinkle over cold foam or whipped cream for a festive finish.

Tip: Crush the peppermint fairly small for cold foam so it doesn’t sink, and save the larger pieces for the whipped cream on hot drinks!

How to Make Peppermint Cold Foam

• 1/4 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon simple syrup
• A drop of peppermint extract

1. Whisk, shake, or froth the ingredients until thick and foamy.
2. Spoon on top of your iced peppermint mocha.
3. Finish with crushed peppermint sprinkled on top.

Hot Peppermint Mocha Instructions

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan or microwave until hot but not boiling.
2. Stir in chocolate syrup (or cocoa mix), sugar, and peppermint extract.
3. Brew strong coffee or prepare espresso.
4. Pour the milk mixture over the coffee and stir well.
5. Top with whipped cream and crushed peppermint.

This version tastes like a warm Christmas hug—creamy, rich, and minty!

Iced Peppermint Mocha Instructions

1. Brew strong coffee or espresso and let cool slightly.
2. Mix the milk, chocolate syrup, peppermint extract, and sweetener until smooth.
3. Fill a glass with ice and pour the coffee over it.
4. Add the milk mixture and stir.
5. Top with peppermint cold foam and crushed peppermint for extra sparkle.

Make It Your Own

• Extra Chocolatey: Add a tablespoon of hot chocolate mix.
• Stronger Mint: Add an extra drop of peppermint extract.
• Dairy-Free: Use oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk.
• No Peppermint Extract? Stir in melted peppermint bark.

Printable Recipe Cards

To download recipe cards, right click on the image then select 'save as...'. Gift this recipe to a coffee lover. Print out the recipe card on medium weight cardstock and laminate. Place in a gift basket with ground or whole bean coffee, peppermint candies, chocolate syrup, and simple syrup.

This homemade peppermint mocha is a festive, cozy treat that tastes just like a coffee shop specialty—only cheaper, fresher, and made exactly the way you like it. Try both the hot and iced versions and see which becomes your new holiday favorite! Looking for another winter brew? Try our new energy boosting maple dirty chai recipe!