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Peppermint Hot Cocoa is one of our favorite warm drinks this time of year. Mix up a batch of this cocoa mix today and have it ready for easy peppermint hot chocolate through the holiday season.
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Ever since I made homemade hot chocolate for the first time a few years ago, and subsequently laughed at myself for thinking it was going to be difficult, I haven’t bought another store-bought hot cocoa mix.
Simple Homemade Cocoa requires nothing but unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, and milk. You can add chocolate chips, vanilla, whipped cream, miniature marshmallows, fluffy homemade marshmallows; just about anything fun or fancy will make it extra special.
Hot tea has its place forever in my heart, along with Chai Lattes, Cafe con Leche, London Fogs, and Hot Buttered Rum. But there is something special about a cup of crockpot cocoa that just beckons me to sit down in front of the Christmas tree and savor the moment.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Like at least half the people I know, I frequently stir my hot cocoa with a candy cane or drop a peppermint candy into the bottom of the mug.
As I was stirring my cocoa with a candy cane the other day, while watching Sean and the boys set up our Christmas tree, I decided to see if I could grind up some peppermint candies and make a ready-to-use peppermint cocoa mix to enjoy all through the holidays.
Peppermint Hot Cocoa
As I was hoping it would, the blender turned the peppermint candies into powder, and everything dissolved beautifully. This is the smoothest, creamiest, peppermint hot cocoa I could have imagined.
Pulsing the candy in a food processor or powerful blender will finely crush it and reduce it into candy dust in just a few seconds. You can also drop the candy into a sturdy ziploc bag and smash it with a rolling pin until it’s all crushed.
Recipe Tip
When you’re ready to make a cup of hot cocoa, combine a cup of milk and a quarter cup of the cocoa mix for each serving. Bring to a low simmer and stir to dissolve. Serve with whipped cream or marshmallows, as desired.
And for a present that truly won’t be forgotten, wrap up a jar of this Peppermint Cocoa Mix along with a package of these Almond Bars, Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups, or these Chocolate S’mores Cookies. A stack of Homemade Marshmallows tied with a ribbon and a candy cane also makes a great gift with the cocoa mix.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix
Ingredients
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup finely crushed candy canes I used (40) peppermint starlight mints
Instructions
- Whisk together all the ingredients and transfer to an airtight container.
To Make Hot Chocolate:
- Combine 1/4 cup of the hot chocolate mix and 1 cup of milk in a saucepan for each serving of hot chocolate. Whisk to combine. Warm over medium heat until steaming, stirring occasionally. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream or marshmallows, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 12/5/14 – recipe notes and photos updated 11/3/25}
This is my daughter Clare's favorite, and every year I buy her a new gourmet version from some expensive little shop — this year I can surprise her with your version!
What a great idea!
What a wonderful idea! This would make a lovely homemade gift too!
What alternative mints could I use please ??
I have no idea what else you might want to use, Keith. I typically use star peppermint candies or classic candy canes.
love your recipes!
I’m glad you’re enjoying the recipes, Tina.
do you HAVE to have dark cocoa powder? My mom looked for some online and tried to get it shipped but it showed there was no coca powder
Helena – Hershey has a special dark cocoa powder that you should be able to find at your local grocery. I am loving seeing your name popping up with questions. You are really cooking up a storm. That is awesome!
well, i DO REALLY love baking and something i want for christmas is baking supplies 🙂 i love your recipes too! I made the cocoa and it tasted more like dark cocoa then anything, what do you recomend i should do?
If the dark cocoa powder is too strong for you, you could always do less of the dark cocoa powder and a bit more of the regular cocoa powder to get the flavor you prefer.
ok, thank you for the advice,Mary! Anyway, so i came up with a fever and a bad cough yesterday, and i was wondering if you have a recipe that would help me feel a bit better. My sisters are a bit worried and i really dont want to keep sleeping on my mom’s floor every night lol. I hope you do! Thanks again!
This homemade cough syrup has always helped soothe a sore throat for me: https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/. I hope you feel better soon, Helena. Take care.
ok thank you,Mary! Thats at lot of help! Ill print it out and show it to my mom for the next time any of us has a bad cough.She’ll consider it, probably.
What is the difference between cocoa powder and dark cocoa powder?
For this recipe, you can use either. I just prefer the dark. The flavors are a bit different and dark is said to be a bit less bitter because of how it is processed.
The recipe seems like it will be a good one. I’m making a comment because I’m annoyed with trying to follow the recipe post with all of the dang ads. They are incredibly distracting.
Well, hello there. Feel free to use that handy “Jump to Recipe” button located at the top of every page. It will take you directly to the printable recipe. Seeing how the advertising pays all business expenses and maintenance costs for this free-to-use website as well as the expenses related to the recipes that I develop and share at no cost whatsoever to you, most people tend to be okay with scrolling a bit and seeing the ads. Have a terrific rest of the day, friend.
Why not use powdered milk in the mix? Then just mix with water in a cup and zap in the microwave! So much quicker and easier! I have used crushed candy canes in regular hot cocoa mix too when I couldn’t find peppermint hot cocoa mix in the store. Works great!
While I have made plenty of cocoa mixes with powdered milk in the past, I actually prefer to make it with fresh milk. (I’ve always been able to taste the difference.) Feel free to add powdered milk and make it your own.
Hi Mary. I’d like to add powdered milk to the mix so that I can make it with just hot water. Do you have any ideas about how much we could add? Thank you for all of your great ideas and recipes.
I haven’t played with that, but it should work if you add enough powdered milk for 1 cup of water and then add 1/4 cup of the cocoa mix. (That could be multiplied as desired. The full recipe here will make enough for 14 cups of cocoa.)
I’m confused. What’s the difference between cocoa powder and dark cocoa powder? Thanks.
Kind of like dark chocolate vs semi-sweet, it’s a darker chocolate flavor.
Love the cocoa and peppermint!! I was wondering if I could use the soft peppermint candies that melt in your mouth after a few minutes, I usually buy the big container of them, and suck on them often. Just wondering if they would work as far as taste. I love so many of your recipes, thanks for all of them. Merry Christmas to you and family.
I’m guessing that would work. I haven’t tried those myself though.