Dairy-Free Peppermint Hot Chocolate

This rich, creamy, and perfectly peppermint hot chocolate is perfect for chilly evenings and holiday celebrations. Even better, this dairy-free hot chocolate is ready in just 10 minutes and can be flavored, topped, and lightened in several ways for the perfect vegan hot chocolate treat this winter!

Creamy and Delicious 5-Minute Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

Sure, tea and coffee are cozy and satisfying, but when I want something that’s really going to satisfy my sweet tooth and make me feel wrapped up in a holiday blanket, this vegan hot chocolate with peppermint is a must. Is it even winter if you haven’t consumed your body weight in vegan eggnog, spiced apple cider, golden milk, and hot chocolate? Especially when it’s peppermint hot chocolate!

Even though powder hot chocolate mix is convenient, it always tastes far too watery and will never taste as decadent and delicious as homemade vegan hot chocolate made with semi-sweet vegan chocolate. So when it takes 10 minutes to prepare from scratch, there’s no excuse not to!

All you need to do is warm the plant-based milk, melt the vegan chocolate into it, and add the sugar and the remaining ingredients – in this case, vanilla extract and peppermint extract. The results taste like candy cane hot chocolate! However, there are plenty of ways to adapt the flavor to your liking, too (keep reading for my top recommendations).

For now, though, dairy-free peppermint hot chocolate is the perfect Christmas flavor pairing and perfect for events or a chilly evening indulgence alongside peppermint chocolate cupcakes and/or peppermint rice Krispie treats.

The Ingredients

Just 5 ingredients make up the base for this delicious peppermint hot chocolate recipe.

• Plant-based milk: Use any unsweetened plant-based milk, like oat milk, almond milk, cashew milk, etc.

For a creamier non-dairy hot chocolate, combine the plant-based milk with some vegan cream or thick milk, like canned coconut milk.

• Vegan chocolate: I used high-quality vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips, but feel free to use larger bars and chop them into smaller pieces.

You could also swap the semi-sweet chocolate with vegan white chocolate for a delicious peppermint white hot chocolate.

• Sugar: Any sweetener will work. I.e., raw cane sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, or even a sugar alternative like erythritol, Stevia, etc.
• Vanilla extract: I prefer to use natural vanilla. It adds a lovely depth.
• Peppermint extract: (optional) Use a high-quality, pure peppermint extract (rather than an imitation one). Increase or decrease the amount to find your perfect peppermint hot chocolate.

Peppermint Oil vs. Extract

You can use either peppermint oil (extracted from the leaves) or peppermint extract (peppermint infused in alcohol) in the peppermint hot chocolate, but they can’t be used interchangeably. Peppermint oil is far more concentrated in flavor and only requires a few drops per mug of vegan peppermint hot chocolate.

What Else Could I Add To Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate?

• Cocoa powder: To add depth to the dairy-free chocolate flavor (like a candy cane hot cocoa recipe), add a spoonful or two of regular (good quality) cocoa powder or Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
• Salt: A pinch will enhance the vegan chocolate flavor in peppermint hot cocoa.
• Coffee: Like the above, just a tiny amount of coffee (like a pinch) will enhance the vegan chocolate flavor.
• Spices: Swap the peppermint for warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg (or chili for a Mexican hot chocolate blend), chai spice, pumpkin pie spice, gingerbread spice, etc.
• Other extracts: Luckily, there are plenty to choose from. I.e., orange, hazelnut, coffee, coconut, caramel, rose, cherry, almond, etc.

Another really simple way to change the flavor of this vegan hot chocolate recipe is with flavored syrups (regular or sugar-free).

• Eggnog: Replace the dairy-free milk with eggnog (with or without the peppermint) for a sweet, warming flavor and indulgent, creamy consistency.
• Nut butter: Add a spoonful of your favorite nut or seed butter (with or without the peppermint) for a richer, creamier vegan hot chocolate recipe.

How to Make Vegan Hot Chocolate with Peppermint?

Follow four simple steps to make the best peppermint hot chocolate recipe without any dairy!

• 1) Heat the plant-based milk over medium heat in a 2-quart pot until warm (don’t scald the plant-based milk).

• 2) Then, add the vegan chocolate chips, stirring or whisking well until they fully melt. This can take several minutes, depending on the vegan chocolate you’re using.

• 3) Finally, whisk in the peppermint (if using), vanilla extract, and sugar and stir until well combined and the sugar dissolves.

At this point, taste the vegan mint hot chocolate and adjust the ingredients to your liking.

4. The peppermint hot chocolate is ready to serve! Transfer it to a mug and enjoy warm topped with your favorite toppings!

All The Best Vegan Hot Chocolate Toppings

Once you’ve prepared the base peppermint cocoa blend, the fun doesn’t end there. Now it’s time for toppings! Sure, it’ll taste fine alone or with just a swirl of vegan whipped coconut cream, but why not also add:

• Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies (for the ultimate candy cane hot chocolate)
• Vegan mini marshmallows
• Dairy-free caramel (or salted caramel/ flavored caramel)
• Vegan chocolate syrup
• Crushed - or mini-biscuits. Peppermint biscuits for this mint hot cocoa, gingerbread for a gingerbread hot chocolate, etc.
• Crushed nuts
• A sprinkle of flaky sea salt
• Shaved vegan chocolate
• Vegan ice cream (make a hot chocolate float with a scoop of vanilla, chocolate, or mint choc ice cream when serving)
• A cinnamon stick (or sprinkle of spices)

If you plan to serve this vegan hot chocolate at an event, I’m a big fan of a hot chocolate bar. Serve the mint hot chocolate warm in a large thermos or slow cooker (to stay warm over hours) and surround it with all the best toppings and add-ins so everyone can find their perfect blend!

FAQs

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• Tweak the ingredient ratio: Feel free to increase or decrease the sweetener, amount of vegan chocolate (more for a more decadent hot chocolate), extracts, etc., to your liking.
• Use good vegan chocolate: Make sure it’s got cocoa butter and tastes nice. This makes a more decadent, silkier mouthfeel.
• Don’t scald the plant-based milk: Only ever heat it until warm, but not boiling. Otherwise, it can throw the flavors off.
• For frothy vegan hot chocolate: Either use a hand-held frother in the saucepan until frothy. Alternatively, use the plunger in a coffee press or blend the mixture for a few seconds.

Storage Instructions

Make ahead: You can prepare this peppermint hot chocolate several hours in advance and store it in a thermos or use the warming function in a crockpot (great for parties).

Store: While this 5-minute dairy-free hot chocolate is easy enough to make as and when needed, any leftovers will store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.

You can use the stovetop or microwave to reheat the drink. After reheating, you may need to add a few more drops of peppermint or vanilla extract.

More Winter Recipes

• Instant Pot vegetable barley soup
• Healthy apple pie baked apples
• Easy vegan stuffing
• Garlic herb roasted vegetables
• Mixed bean and vegetable stew
• Instant Pot navy bean soup
• Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

If you try this dairy-free peppermint hot chocolate recipe, I’d love to know what you think in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla