Vegan Peppermint Hot Chocolate (10 Minutes)

Name: Vegan Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 4 cups unsweetened plain plant-based milk; ½ cup vegan semisweet chocolate chips (plus 1 tablespoon); 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 ½ teaspoons peppermint extract; ½ teaspoon granulated sugar (plus more to taste); vegan whipped cream (for topping (optional))

This rich and creamy vegan peppermint hot chocolate is made on the stove in about 10 minutes with plant-based milk, dairy-free chocolate chips, vanilla and a splash of peppermint. It tastes like a candy cane melted into a mug of hot chocolate, and it's my go-to holiday drink for chilly nights, movie nights and Christmas morning.

Overhead view of vegan peppermint hot chocolate topped with dairy-free whipped cream in a white mug on a linen napkin.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
The Ingredients
How to Make Vegan Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Toppings and a Hot Chocolate Bar
Toni's Recipe Tips
FAQs
How to Store and Reheat
What to Serve with Peppermint Hot Chocolate
More Vegan Christmas Recipes
Vegan Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Why You'll Love This Recipe

When I want something sweeter than tea or coffee, this dairy-free hot chocolate is what I make. Homemade hot chocolate made with real melted chocolate is so much richer than a powdered packet, and it's just as quick.

5 ingredients: plant-based milk, vegan chocolate chips, vanilla extract, peppermint extract and sugar.
Quick: Ready in about 10 minutes in one pot.
Dairy-free: Rich and creamy without any dairy, so everyone at the table can have a mug.
Party friendly: Easy to set up as a hot chocolate bar for a holiday party.

It's perfect next to other holiday drinks like my super creamy vegan eggnog, Instant Pot apple cider and dairy-free golden milk. For a holiday dessert spread, serve it with peppermint chocolate brownies, vegan chocolate truffles or easy vegan chocolate cupcakes.

The Ingredients

You only need 5 ingredients for this peppermint hot chocolate recipe. See the recipe card below for exact amounts.

Labeled ingredients for vegan peppermint hot chocolate: plant-based milk, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, vegan chocolate chips and granulated sugar.

Plant-based milk: I use unsweetened soy milk. Any unsweetened, plain plant-based milk works, and readers have made it with almond milk too.
Vegan chocolate chips: Semisweet vegan chocolate chips melt into the milk and give it that rich, chocolatey flavor. Not all chocolate chips are dairy-free, so check the label for milk or milk fat.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the chocolate flavor.
Peppermint extract: A little goes a long way. Start with less if you're sensitive to mint.
Granulated sugar: Just a touch, since the semisweet chocolate chips bring most of the sweetness. Taste and add more sugar if you like it sweeter.

Peppermint extract or peppermint oil? They can't be swapped 1 to 1. Peppermint oil is much stronger, so you only need a drop or two per mug.

How to Make Vegan Peppermint Hot Chocolate

It all comes together in one saucepan.

A measuring cup of vegan chocolate chips held over a saucepan of warm plant-based milk on the stove.

Step 1: Melt the chocolate. Warm the plant-based milk in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat until it's hot but not boiling. Add the vegan chocolate chips and stir often until they fully melt, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Vanilla extract being poured into a saucepan of hot chocolate.

Step 2: Add the vanilla. Whisk in the vanilla extract.

Peppermint extract being poured from a small glass bowl into a saucepan of hot chocolate.

Step 3: Add the peppermint. Whisk in the peppermint extract.

Sugar being added from a small white bowl to a saucepan of hot chocolate.

Step 4: Sweeten it. Add the sugar.

Frothy dairy-free hot chocolate in a saucepan on the stove.

Step 5: Whisk until smooth. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and everything is smooth. Taste and add more sugar if you like it sweeter.

Close-up of vegan whipped cream melting into a mug of peppermint hot chocolate.

Step 6: Serve. Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and add your favorite toppings.

Don't let it boil. Keep the milk just below a simmer so the chocolate stays smooth and the flavor stays fresh.

Toppings and a Hot Chocolate Bar

A swirl of vegan whipped cream is classic. I like CocoWhip by So Delicious or plant-based Reddi-wip. You can also add:

Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
Vegan marshmallows
Vegan peanut butter caramel or vegan chocolate syrup
Shaved vegan chocolate or vegan chocolate chips
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt
A cinnamon stick
A scoop of vegan vanilla or mint chocolate chip ice cream for a hot chocolate float

Hosting a party? Set up a hot chocolate bar. Keep the hot chocolate warm in a large thermos, put the toppings in small bowls, and let everyone build their own mug.

Ideas I Haven't Tried Yet

I haven't tested these yet, but they sound delicious:

White hot chocolate: Swap the semisweet chips for vegan white chocolate.
Extra creamy: Replace some of the milk with canned coconut milk.
Eggnog hot chocolate: Use vegan eggnog in place of some of the milk.
Nut butter: Stir in a spoonful of your favorite nut or seed butter.
Peppermint mocha: Stir a shot of espresso into each mug.
Spiced: Skip the peppermint and add cinnamon, chai spice or gingerbread spice.
Other flavors: Swap the peppermint for orange or almond extract, or stir in a flavored syrup.
Lighter: Use part water and part plant-based milk with less sugar.
Slow cooker for a crowd: Melt everything together in a slow cooker on LOW, stirring often, then keep it on the warm setting.

If you try one, let me know in the comments!

Toni's Recipe Tips

Use chocolate you like eating: Vegan chocolate made with cocoa butter melts smoother and tastes richer.
Keep it below a boil: Warm the milk until hot, but don't let it boil.
Adjust to taste: Add more sugar if you like it sweeter, more chocolate for a thicker, richer drink, or more peppermint for a stronger candy cane flavor.
Make it frothy: Use a handheld milk frother right in the pot, or blend it for a few seconds.

FAQs

What is the best non-dairy milk for hot chocolate?

I use unsweetened soy milk, which makes a rich, creamy hot chocolate. Readers have also made this recipe with almond milk and loved it, so use the unsweetened plant-based milk you like best.

Are chocolate chips vegan?

Not always. Many semisweet chocolate chips contain milk or milk fat, so check the ingredient list or look for chips labeled vegan or dairy-free.

What's the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa?

Hot chocolate is made with melted chocolate, so it's thicker and richer. Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder and sugar, so it's lighter.

Can I use peppermint oil instead of peppermint extract?

Yes, but use much less. Peppermint oil is far more concentrated than extract, so start with a drop or two per mug and add more to taste.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes. Make it a few hours ahead and keep it warm in a thermos, or refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

A mug of vegan peppermint hot chocolate with dairy-free whipped cream next to a small bowl of extra whipped cream.

How to Store and Reheat

Make ahead: You can make this peppermint hot chocolate a few hours ahead and keep it warm in a thermos, which is great for parties.

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat: Warm it on the stove or in the microwave, stirring well. You may want to add a few more drops of peppermint or vanilla after reheating.

What to Serve with Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Pair a mug with holiday treats like red velvet crinkle cookies, peanut butter balls with Rice Krispies or peppermint chocolate brownies. On Christmas morning, it's lovely with warm vegan pecan sticky buns.

If you tried this vegan peppermint hot chocolate recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!