Ah, can anything improve upon chocolate? The rich, velvety smooth texture, slowly melting in your mouth, the soft and mild flavor of 50% cacao, the delightfully rich and strong flavor of 85%. And if you’re a true addict, the harsh but satisfying bite of a 100% cacao bar. (aka chocolate crack! that’s good stuff. hehe)
Yes, chocolate, in any percentage, truly stands on it’s own. So we find ourselves considering our question once more. Can anything, truly improve upon chocolate? Our conclusion? The true chocolate lovers must answer a resounding and emphatic “never!”. Exactly and precisely!
While chocolate stands tall and confident on the hill of foodie fame, I risk offending the purists by mentioning that I do think it is within the realm of possibility that certain, worthy flavors may be privileged to be called “complimentary” of chocolate. Indeed, certain flavors can lend an interest, a new experience if you will to chocolate (Gah! I hate using that phrase “if you will”! But it just seems to fit here.)
The flavor I am now choosing to showcase with chocolate, in honor of the holiday spirit and season, is the dynamic & bold peppermint.
The inspiration of this drink came as I observed the many holiday specialty drinks being offered at coffee shops. I don’t know about you but I’m sick and tired of seeing Caramel Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Eggnog Lattes, White Chocolate Peppermint Mochas, Gingerbread Lattes and all that stuff that I can’t drink.
I’d like a warm “Christmasy mug o’ something” I can enjoy too, thank you very much! And as I cherish the hope that I’m not alone in this desire, I set about to create a holiday drink for those of us striving to stick to the – though sometimes strict but always worth it – straight and narrow road of health. 
Voila! Peppermint Hot Chocolate was born! No espresso, caffeine*, dairy, or sugar. Finally.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate with Steamed Almond Milk
- 1 peppermint tea bag (Use a high quality brand without artificial flavors to reap the stomach soothing benefits of the peppermint.)
- 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder * (Cocoa powder has very minimal caffeine compared to coffee. You should be just fine sipping on this before bedtime.)
- 1 stevia packet (use honey or agave nectar if sugar isn’t a problem)
In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk almond milk, cocoa powder, and stevia until milk is steaming and powders are thoroughly dissolved.
Pour over the tea bag in a large mug and allow to steep for 5 -10 minutes (depending on how strong you want it). I start drinking mine right away and just leave the tea bag in there. Feel free to add more cocoa powder if you like more chocolate flavor or add more milk and a second tea bag if you prefer more peppermint flavor.
Hmm, it’s time for some Peppermint Hot Chocolate…
Also seen on Full Plate Thursday, Showcase Your Talent Thursday, GraceLaced Monday, Motivation Monday, Recipe Sharing Monday, On The Menu Monday, Monday Mania, Make Your Own Monday, Homestead Barn Hop, Fat Tuesday, Crazy Sweet Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasteful Tuesday, Totally Tasty Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Allergy-Free Wednesday, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Wednesday Fresh Foods Link Up, Whole Foods Wednesday, Healthy 2 Day Wednesday, Real Food Wednesday
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I can almost taste this awesome Peppermint Hot Chocolate, it looks delicious! Hope you are having a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
I’m glad the photo is doing it justice!
Thanks for coming by!
This looks absolutely gorgeous and very easy too. I adore peppermint chocolate so I’m sure I’ll love this. I know what you mean about seeing the gorgeous flavoured coffees as I can’t drink them either so I’m really looking forward to this.
Hi Katherine! Yeah seeing all the holiday food this time of year can be depressing.. but it’s so comforting to have our own little “indulgences”. I hope you enjoy the hot chocolate. The trick is not heating it too fast or too long. Yesterday I got a little impatient and burned it. But I drank it anyway. If that’s not desperation I don’t know what is!
Have a great week!
Have you tried it with rice milk? I will make this because I love hot chocolate but I have a milk allergy. Is the almond milk thicker in consistency than rice milk?
Hello Sheila! I haven’t tried it with rice milk, but I’m sure it will work just fine. The flavor will be a little different but if that’s what you prefer go for it! Yes, almond milk is slightly thicker but again, it shouldn’t mess up the consistency as the cocoa powder adds to the texture as well and helps to thicken it. I hope you enjoy it! Have a lovely week!
I’ve been looking for a real-food version of this! Totally pinning it. Thanks for sharing on Healthy 2day Wednesday!
Hey Steph! Sweeeet. Glad it’s up your ally.
Thanks for this. I have transitioned toddler son and husband and myself to almond milk. I am working on my two daughters and this is a great way to persuade them.
Hi Kathleen! I hope your girls enjoy this – you can always leave out the peppermint tea if they want more traditional hot chocolate. Have a Merry Christmas and thanks for stopping by!
This sounds totally yummy! I need to get my hands on some Stevia. We have a health food store that should carry it.
Thanks for linking up to Motivation Monday!
If you can’t wait till the health food store honey or agave work great too.
Thanks for coming by Barb!
Thank you for sharing with us at Healthy 2Day Wednesdays!
come back again next week to see if you were featured. We love making our own peppermint mint mochas and hot chocolate. What we do is use YL peppermint essential oil versus a tea bag… pretty cool idea on the tea bag. They taste delish, don’t they! 
That’s a great idea! I would be interested to know the flavor differences between the essential oil and the tea bag itself… hmm yum.
peppermint and chocolate were made for each other and if anything makes chocolate better, in my opinion, it’s peppermint
thank you for sharing with us at the wednesday fresh foods link up! i’m looking forward to seeing what seasonal & real/whole food posts you have this week. hope to see you there! xo, kristy
Haha I’m so glad you agree on the peppermint! You have good taste too I see.
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