Homemade Peppermint Mocha Lattes

December 12, 2016

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In the last few weeks, we’ve been experimenting and making our own coffeehouse-style drinks at home. By far, the biggest hit with our whole coffee-loving family has been the classic mocha latte combination. I’ve made a gazillion of them recently and it hasn’t gotten old yet.

Coffee and cocoa, you say?! You had us all from the start… for sure.

The other day I was in my kitchen and fresh from a grocery store visit, where I was momentarily surrounded by peppermint-flavored everything, and I just couldn’t get the thought of those addicting peppermint mocha coffee drinks off of my mind.

Yep, one big peppermint mocha latte sounded really good right then.

BUT, I was home and my shoes were off and there was no way I was driving out to get one.

My daughter came running up at pretty much that very minute, candy cane in hand, begging for me to open it up for her. One of our Christmas traditions is to decorate our tree with candy canes…which steadily disappear before the big day arrives. It was then I decided to go get one from the tree too because it dawned on me that crushed candy cane might work to make a peppermint coffee drink! I’m sure most barristas use a peppermint syrup, which I could have made too, I guess, but crushed candy just seems way more festive, right? (and, yes, easier too)

I made the first one for myself with cocoa, sugar, crushed candy cane pieces, milk and some hot coffee topped with a swirl of whipped cream and it was a real treat. The peppermint flavor was very subtle compared to my favorite coffee-house version, but still it was good.

As my kids are telepathically drawn to anything topped with whipped cream and candy, of course, I made some decaf peppermint mocha lattes for them too. For an added bit of cuteness, I garnished their drinks with a whole candy cane.

As it turned out, that addition of the whole candy cane added the huge pop of peppermint deliciousness the first attempt had been missing… and it looked extra cheery too!

We officially have a new family favorite thing and we hope you like it too.

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Homemade Peppermint Mocha Lattes printable recipe

Ingredients: