Forget Starbucks! Save your time and money by skipping the coffee run and making this Healthy Peppermint Mocha at home. This recipe is easy to make, made with simple ingredients, and is delicious but not too sweet. It’s perfect to cozy up with at home while you watch holiday movies or decorate the Christmas tree.

Latte in a speckled white mug on a white marble surface

A Healthier Starbucks Copycat From Home

If you’ve been wanting to make Peppermint Mocha Latte at home, but you also wanted it to be somewhat healthier, you’ve come to the right place. Don’t get me wrong, as a Registered Dietitian, I truly believe that all foods fit (even the traditional Starbucks holiday drinks), but personally I find the coffee shop lattes too sweet and far too expensive for my taste.

This Healthy Peppermint Mocha is a Starbucks copycat recipe (it tastes just as good, if not better) without all of the added sugar. It takes 5 minutes to whip up and it’s the perfect holiday drink to make at home and enjoy with a side of Healthy Ginger Molasses Cookies, or with my Buttermilk Gingerbread Pancakes for breakfast.

Ingredients measured out on a white surface

Lower Sugar, High Protein, and Way Less Ingredients:

  • What’s great about making your own latte at home is that you can sweeten it to your liking. Personally, I find a tablespoon of maple syrup is plenty, but you can add more or less depending on your taste preference.
  • Depending on the milk you choose, this peppermint mocha recipe can be high in protein. I like to use cow’s milk for my lattes, because the protein content (9 grams per cup) helps to fill me up and keep me full. If you prefer a non-dairy milk, soy milk offers a similar amount of protein per cup.
  • You only need 5 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen (compared to the long list of ingredients in the coffee shop syrups!).
Latte in a speckled white mug on a white marble surface
Peppermint mocha in a mug with whipped cream on top.

For Frothing the Milk:

The easiest way would be to use a milk frother that steams and froths the milk for you. Another option would be to heat the milk on the stove (or in the microwave) until almost boiling and then froth the milk by hand. You can do this using a whisk or a handheld frother, or by pouring the milk into a mason jar and shaking the jar to froth the milk.

Two peppermint mochas in white mugs with whipped cream on top.

Connect with Hannah Magee, RD!

I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. If you try it, let me know what you think by leaving a recipe rating and a comment below. Oh, and be sure to take a photo and tag me @hannahmagee_rd so I can see!

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a new recipe from me. Ok, now enjoy!

Latte in a speckled white mug on a white marble surface

Healthy Homemade Peppermint Mocha

Servings: 1 latte
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Forget Starbucks! Save your time and money by skipping the coffee run and making this Healthy Peppermint Mocha at home. This recipe is easy to make, made with simple ingredients, and is delicious but not too sweet. It's perfect to cozy up with at home while you watch holiday movies or decorate the Christmas tree.
5 from 4 ratings
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Ingredients

  • 1-2 shots espresso, or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup, can sub. with honey, agave, sugar, or stevia*see notes
  • 1/8 tsp peppermint extract
  • 1 cup milk of choice, steamed or frothed
  • optional toppings: crushed candy canes and light whipped cream

Instructions 

  • In a mug, whisk together the hot espresso (or brewed coffee), cocoa powder, maple syrup and peppermint extract.
  • Pour the steamed/frothed milk over top. See notes for how to froth your milk.
  • Optional: Top with light whipped cream, crushed candy canes and a dusting of cocoa powder. Enjoy!

Notes

Other Ways to Sweeten:
If you prefer to use stevia instead of maple syrup or another sugar-containing sweetener, feel free. Be sure to read the label on your stevia sweetener, however 1-2 packets of stevia should probably be enough.
Cuisine: American, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Course: Drinks
Author: Hannah Magee, RD
Did you make this recipe?Be sure to take a photo and tag me at @hannahmagee_rd so I can see!