White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha. These easy-to-follow instructions will teach you how to make a luscious and creamy Starbucks copycat peppermint white chocolate mocha. No coffee house necessary!

The peppermint white chocolate mocha from Starbucks is a mocha latte fan favorite, and I am certainly one of those fans. One of my favorite things to do is make a stop at Starbucks for a peppermint white chocolate mocha before making a late-night trip to the grocery store. There’s something oddly relaxing about strolling through the aisles of a peaceful grocery store, mocha latte in hand.

But I shouldn’t be spending money on Starbucks whenever I go grocery shopping (which is often), so with a little trial and error I figured out how to make a homemade white chocolate peppermint mocha …and you know what? I cannot tell the difference.

Bold espresso, white chocolate, peppermint, and frothy milk are combined and topped with whipped cream and chocolate curls to make this sweet and indulgent wintertime treat.

Another reason I needed to come up with a DIY peppermint mocha recipe? I have a bad habit of making a cup of coffee and promptly forgetting about it. Now if/when I lose track of a white chocolate peppermint mocha, at least I know exactly how to make a fresh one if need be.
I’ve been using a travel mug from my friends at Thermos for coffee lately. It keeps drinks hot for at least 5 hours (so when I find the coffee I abandoned hours before, at least it’ll still be warm)! I also make my hot drinks in it before heading to the store and they stay hot until I finish it. These mugs are great gifts for the coffee lovers in your life. In fact, they might be making an appearance in many a Christmas care package this year.

Ingredients //

• Espresso (or strong brewed coffee) – For the richest flavor, use brewed espresso but you can also use strong brewed coffee. Use decaf to make a decaf white chocolate mocha.
• Milk (of your choice) – Whole milk typically makes the creamiest coffee drinks but you can use any milk, dairy or non-dairy.
• White Chocolate Sauce – Store-bought is fine.
• Peppermint Syrup – gives this drink minty-cool peppermint flavor.
• Whipped Cream – to top the drink. It can be store-bought or homemade.
• Peppermint Candies (crushed) – as garnish.

How to Make // The Steps

• Step 1: Heat the milk with a steamer or in the microwave. Add the white chocolate syrup.
• Step 2: Add the peppermint syrup and froth. I use a cheap frother, but I am asking Santa for a real one.
• Step 3: Pour the hot milk mixture into the hot coffee or espresso.
• Step 4: Top with whipped cream and a sprinkling of crushed peppermint. If you are heading out the door, or even if you aren’t, keep it warm in a Sipp by Thermos travel mug. No more cold coffee!

Tips & Tricks

• To sub peppermint extract for peppermint syrup, add about 1/8th of a teaspoon at a time TO TASTE. The extract is super concentrated, so a little bit goes a very long way.
• This recipe makes one-16 ounce mocha (equivalent to a Starbucks grande). Double or triple the recipe to make enough to share or store for iced coffee later.
• Another way to infuse peppermint flavor into a white chocolate mocha is by dissolving the crushed candy canes in the milk. Simply add a tablespoon or two of finely chopped peppermints to the milk and then heat until the candies dissolve.

Why is White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha So Good?

• It’s filled with holiday cheer! Coffee + white chocolate + peppermint is the perfect combination of flavors to make a very merry drink.
• Budget-friendly. Making homemade Starbucks mocha lattes gets you all of the flavor with much less of the cost.
• Quick & easy. No special barista knowledge is needed to make a coffee shop-quality white chocolate peppermint mocha.
• It’s delicious and the perfect cold afternoon pick-me-up.

Variations & Substitutions of the White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha //

• Iced White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha: If you’ve ever craved Christmas in July, you’re in luck. Instead of hot espresso or hot coffee use cold brew or chilled coffee and blend with remaining ingredients. Pour over a glass of ice and enjoy.
• White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino: For a blended “frappuccino” of sorts, freeze coffee or espresso in ice cube trays. You can then add the cubes to a heavy-duty blender with the remaining ingredients and blend together into a frosty treat.
• Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha Milkshake: Now this variation is truly heavenly. Freeze coffee into cubes and then add the cubes to a blender with only 1/2 cup of milk, the remaining ingredients, and a 1/2 cup of vanilla bean ice cream.

How to Store and Reheat //

Storing: Let coffee drink cool completely to room temperature. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Stir again before serving with ice.

Reheating: Reheated coffee drinks can be bitter and unpleasant tasting. However, leftover mocha lattes can be enjoyed over ice within 2 days.

FAQ //

More Starbucks Copycat Recipes

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Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

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