Peppermint Mocha {Starbucks Copycat}

If you look forward to the Starbucks Peppermint Mocha every holiday season, this easy copycat version lets you make the exact same rich chocolate mint drink at home. It uses mocha sauce, peppermint syrup, steamed milk, and plenty of whipped cream for the perfectly sweet and festive coffee.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why this recipe works
• 🗒 Ingredients
• ☕️ Recipe tips
• 🎉 Variations on recipe
• 🧊 How to make an iced drink
• 🎄 More Starbucks holiday drinks
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

How have I been creating Starbucks copycat recipes for so long and have never shared with you a recipe for the Peppermint Mocha?

Probably the most iconic of the holiday Starbucks drinks, the Peppermint Mocha appeals to so many people. Though you can technically order it year-round (unbeknownst to many, peppermint syrup is always available!), it's actual return to the menu symbolizes the holiday season is here.

But the best news? The Starbucks Peppermint Mocha is SO easy to make at home. Maybe one of the easiest drinks ever since it doesn't involve any fancy foams or frothing.

This copycat recipe shows you how to make the drink just like Starbucks does. And also how to modify it to make it perfect for you.

❤️ Why this recipe works

It follows the actual Starbucks recipe build: my recipe uses the confirmed published specs for a grande mocha: two shots of espresso, four pumps of mocha, and four pumps of peppermint. You'll get the same flavor balance you'd taste in the in-store version.

Ingredients can be homemade or store-bought: the two special ingredients in this coffee drink are the mocha sauce and the peppermint syrup. You can easily purchase these OR you can make them at home yourself with my easy homemade recipes.

Easy to customize: if you've had a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha before, you know they're very, very sweet. My recipe shows you how to make them just like that, but also offers advice on how to make them less sweet and how to make more suited to your specific tastes.

🗒 Ingredients

Here's everything you need for the drink and the homemade components of it (be sure to view the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions):

• Brewed espresso
• Mocha sauce: you can either use store-bought sauce or homemade with my recipe
• Peppermint syrup: you can either use store-bought syrup or homemade with my recipe. You can even buy the same peppermint syrup Starbucks uses (it's just generally pricier than others)
• 2% milk: or the dairy/non-dairy alternative of your choice
• Whipped cream: for topping
• Chocolate curls or shavings: for topping
• Crushed candy canes for topping: these are optional and Starbucks doesn't use them, but I think they make the mocha look even more festive!

If you're making your own mocha sauce, you'll need:

• Granulated sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Water
• Salt
• Xanthan gum: can substitute with cornstarch

And if you're making your own peppermint syrup, you'll need:

• Water
• Granulated Sugar
• Candy canes or peppermint extract

☕️ Recipe tips

• Be sure to purchase or make a mocha sauce and not a syrup. A thinner syrup will get lost in the hot milk, while a true sauce will give rich, café-style chocolate base.

• I have a full recipe page on making candy cane syrup, which is essentially the exact same thing as peppermint syrup. But you can also make peppermint syrup with peppermint extract if you prefer. Note that you'll need to add a bit more sugar if using the extract. You can also use a store-bought peppermint syrup if you prefer.

• Of course, candy canes will give you syrup a red hue (which won't be visible in the Peppermint Mocha) and peppermint extract will keep it clear.

• Be sure to add the mocha sauce and peppermint syrup to the espresso while it's hot. Both will dissolve into the drink more smoothly when the espresso is freshly pulled or freshly brewed.

• The standard grande at Starbucks has 4 pumps of mocha sauce and 4 pumps of peppermint syrup (that's ¼ cup of each!), making it very sweet. I prefer to use half that in my Peppermint Mocha and find that all the flavor is there and it's still plenty sweet! Adjust to your own tastes.

• Top the drink with whipped cream right away. It will melt into the mocha a bit and create that classic creamy finish.

• Top the whipped cream however you want. Starbucks uses chocolate curls, but I like adding on some crushed candy canes, too. The more festive, the better!

• And drink it right away! The whipped cream will keep melting into the drink, so be sure to drink the mocha while it's hot.

This copycat Peppermint Mocha tastes like the holiday season to me. It makes mornings more festive, but is also a super fun coffee drink to enjoy while decorating the Christmas tree, watching holiday movies, or enjoying dessert with friends.

🎉 Variations on recipe

I've shared the Starbucks Peppermint Mocha recipe with you that tastes just like you ordered it from the coffee shop. But one of that great things about making your own at home is that you can make the drink however you want!

Here are some ideas:

• Play around with the amount of mocha sauce and peppermint syrup you use to adjust the sweetness level.
• Swap the mocha sauce for white mocha sauce for a sweeter, creamier drink.
• Though Starbucks uses 2% milk, you can free to use the milk of your choice or even a dairy-free option.
• Add an extra shot of espresso for a stronger drink.
• Pour the Peppermint mocha over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a peppermint mocha affogato.
• Leave the espresso out if you want a peppermint hot chocolate like drink for kids. Or for adults who don't like coffee or don't want caffeine.
• In addition to topping with chocolate curls and crushed candy canes, you can also use sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, cocoa powder, white chocolate shavings, or anything you want!
• You can even rim the mug in crushed candy canes for an extra holiday-ish look.

🧊 How to make an iced drink

You can also use this recipe to make an Iced Peppermint Mocha! All you have to do is mix the espresso with the mocha sauce and peppermint syrup, add cold milk, pour over ice, and finish with whipped cream and chocolate curls.

For all you crazy iced coffee year-round people 😜

🎄 More Starbucks holiday drinks

The holiday season is my favorite season at Starbucks and these are some of my favorite Starbucks copycat recipes:

And I have tons more Starbucks recipes for any time of year!

If you're a Peppermint Mocha fan, I hope you love this make-at home version!

What's your favorite Starbucks holiday drink?

📖 Recipe