Update: The Pick Giveaway Winner plug-in selected Pamela and Miranda as the winners. Congratulations! Please reply to the email I just sent with your mailing address and I will forward it to our friends at Korin.com.
I promised a peppermint mocha to end all peppermint mochas, and I’m keeping my word. I also promised a giveaway, which is coming up, but first: a few words about this ultimate mocha.
The idea started after a friend had a disappointing seasonal peppermint mocha at a certain chain that rhymes with Flickschmonalds. She described it as tasting like coffee mixed with vinegar and straight from a just-brushed-mouth. I knew I could do better for her.
And I did.
Seriously — I nailed it.
Flickschmonalds, Blartucks and Punkin’ Gonuts don’t stand a chance against this peppermint mocha. It tastes of Christmas, winter and cozy sweaters, but it’s also decadent enough that you’ll want one more day after day. That said, with the amount of half and half in it, daily consumption might require some wardrobe forgiveness. Still: half and half. Enough said.
If I go on like this I’ll be in trouble fitting into my pants, but these are worth it. There’s coffee in it, so in theory it helps rev metabolism (and in practice it turns me into Mrs. Hyper, which is why you’ll find some emphasis in my typing). Also: someone please come get me off the ceiling where I’ve been since developing this recipe.
This drink isn’t just half and half, peppermint hot fudge sauce, coffee and a cloud of whipped cream — I top it with crushed candy cane and use a chocolate-covered peppermint stick as a stirrer and garnish. These little chocolate peppermint sticks are seasonal treasures; if you find ones coated in chocolate, buy extra. Trust me.
Skip the drive-through and head to the store to pick up ingredients. I like Bogdon’s Chocolatey Candy Sticks, but any peppermint sticks or small candy canes will do. If they’re chocolate-coated, grab a few boxes — they disappear fast.
Use this Peppermint Hot Fudge Sauce to make the mocha.
Peppermint Mocha or Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Rebecca Lindamood
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Peppermint Hot Fudge Sauce
- 6 ounces half and half Whole milk can be substituted for a less decadent option.
- 1 shot of espresso or 2 ounces double-strength brewed coffee Omit coffee if making a peppermint hot chocolate.
- whipped cream
- 2 peppermint sticks or 2 small candy canes, divided
Instructions
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Brew the espresso directly into a mug, or pour freshly brewed double-strength coffee into the mug. Skip the coffee if you prefer a peppermint hot chocolate.
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Heat the peppermint hot fudge sauce and the half and half together—either in a microwave-safe jar or in a small saucepan—until steaming. Whisk vigorously or use a milk frother until the sauce is fully melted and the mixture becomes slightly frothy. Pour the hot mixture over the espresso or double-strength coffee. Top generously with whipped cream. Crush one peppermint stick or candy cane and sprinkle it over the whipped cream. Use the remaining peppermint stick or candy cane to stir and leave as a garnish.
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Serve and enjoy.
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Calculate nutrition based on the specific ingredients you use if needed.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @foodiewithfam on Instagram and use the hashtag #foodiewithfamily so I can see your creation.
The Fawn Mugtail is a standard-sized mug that holds a generous mocha or a tall cup of coffee. The Squirrel Mugtail is a smaller, espresso-sized cup, but it still leaves room for a nice cap of whipped cream if you prefer. Picture these charming mugs at your holiday gatherings.
How do you enter the giveaway? Read on. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry method you use so each entry counts.
Mandatory Entry
Leave a comment telling me which mug you’d prefer—the Fawn or the Squirrel—and what you would fill it with.
Optional Entries
- Like Foodie With Family on Facebook.
- Follow Foodie With Family on Twitter.
- Follow Foodie With Family on Instagram.
- Follow Foodie With Family on Pinterest.
- Like Korin Knives on Facebook.
- Follow @korinknives on Twitter.
- Visit Korin.com, browse their selection, then come back and tell me which item you’d most like from their collection.
Entries close at 9 a.m. EST on Monday, December 3, 2012. Winners will be announced here later that day. Good luck!
Disclosure: Korin Knives provided mugs for review and is sponsoring two mugs for this giveaway. I was not otherwise compensated and all opinions are my own.