Have you ever been to Starbucks for a coffee? I’m sure you must have gone there. I went there, too, and bought a Starbucks peppermint white chocolate mocha, which is creamy and has a minty taste. But I had to pay $6 for one cup, which has 470 calories in it.
And then I thought, Why is it so expensive? Maybe because of its flavors? Then I decided I would make it at home.
So, after trying several times, I made a copycat of the Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha recipe, which cost me just $1.50 per serving.
In this guide, I will teach you how you can make that at home, too.
So, what will you learn in this guide?
- I will teach you the secrets to making Starbucks Peppermint flavor.
- I will give you step-by-step instructions for barista-quality drinks, including dairy-free, keto, and kid-friendly variations that you can use (which you usually don’t get in Starbucks shops).
- Plus, I will give you some pro tips that will help you make this coffee even better by adjusting things to your taste.
- And lastly, we will discuss some delicious things that you can serve alongside your mocha for a better experience.
Why Is This Mocha So Special?
There are a few reasons why I like Starbucks holiday drinks and why other people also like them.
- Espresso – This is the first thing that gives you a robust coffee punch and some sweetness while providing caffeine.
- White Chocolate Mocha Sauce – This is one of the main ingredients that makes peppermint coffee different from others. It is typically made with sugar, condensed milk, cocoa butter, etc., and it gives you a luxurious Mouthfeel.
- Peppermint Syrup – This sugary mint gives a refreshing and festive feeling when you are drinking it.
Pro Tips: You may not know that Starbucks relies on pre-made syrup, which is successfully loaded with some artificial ingredients and has a high sugar level of around 54 grams per grand cup.
However, if you make your own Starbucks peppermint white chocolate mocha coffee at home, you can make it better and healthier; any guess how much?:
- You can actually reduce sugar by 30-50% if you use natural sweeteners, which can make your Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha healthier.
- You can eliminate unwanted additives if you want your drink to be cleaner and wholesome.
- Lastly, you can also customize the flavor that you like the most. For example, you can use dark chocolate for more depth, or you can use different milk to add hints of nuttiness.
What You’ll Need for Your Mocha Recipe
Here are all the ingredients that you need to make a Starbucks peppermint white chocolate mocha recipe at home.
- Espresso: You will not need to use too short of freshly brewed espresso or ½ cup of strong brewed coffee for a bold and rich flavor. However, if you don’t have an espresso machine, you can also dissolve one tablespoon of instant espresso powder in ¼ cup hot water.
- White Chocolate: You will want to use ¼ cup of finely chopped white chocolate. Make sure it’s made of high-quality chocolate like Ghirardelli or similar products because they are smoother and can melt easily. However, you want to avoid chocolate chips because they contain stabilizers, which can cause your coffee to clump.
- Peppermint Syrup: You need two tablespoons of homemade peppermint syrup for natural fresh mint flavor, or you can also use a premium store-bought brand like Monin, but remember that it might have extra additives.
- Milk: Use 1 cup of whole milk for creaminess, but if you want a dairy-free version, you can also use oat milk or unsweetened almond milk.
- Whipped Cream & Garnish: You can top your drink with homemade or store-bought white cream. And then finish it with some crushed candies cans, dark chocolate, or something else you want.
How to Make Your Own Peppermint Syrup (3-Ingredient, 5-Minute Recipe)
Here is how you can step-by-step prepare a Starbucks peppermint white chocolate matcha recipe at home.
You first want to ditch artificial peppermint oil for a syrup that uses pure extract for a clean taste:
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup granulated sugar (or ½ cup honey/monk fruit blend if you want a healthier twist)
- 1.5 teaspoons of pure peppermint extract
Instructions you’ve to follow:
- You want to simmer water and sugar together until the sugar completely dissolves in it.
- Then remove that from the heat and let it cool slightly, then stir in the peppermint extract.
- After that, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one month, and you can use it whenever you want.
Smart Substitutions & Alternatives
If you have any dietary restrictions, then here are some substitutions that you can replace.
Milk Options: If you don’t want to have whole milk, which gives your coffee perfect creaminess, then you can use oat milk. It’s a good option for vegans and has natural creaminess, too (Of course, it’s not the same as classic whole milk, but yes, it has).
Or, if you are following a keto diet, you can use unsweetened almond milk. It’s good if you are watching your carbs.
White Chocolate Alternatives: You should use high-quality white chocolate from a reputable brand, which can melt easily.
However, if you are vegan, you can combine cocoa butter with a natural sweetener like monk fruit to recreate the white chocolate taste without dairy.
Or, if you are following a keto diet, you can use Lily’s sugar-free white chocolate chips. They also offer similar textures but with fewer carbs.
Sweetener Choices: For original and traditional tests, I want you to stick with granulated sugar, but if you are vegan and don’t want to use it, then use Agave Syrup.
As it dissolves easily and offers subtle sweetness without dairy, or being a keto follower, you can use Erythritol syrup.
It’s an excellent low-carb alternative that can easily satisfy your sweet tooth.
How to Make Your Mocha Like a Pro (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Brew the Espresso
You first want to grind your beans just before brewing them for maximum flavor. I prefer medium roast.
However, if you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use a strong cup of coffee using a French press mug or moka pot.
Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate
To melt your chocolate, you can use a double boiler method, in which you first have to place chopped white chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Meanwhile, you need to stir it until it’s smooth. It can take around 4-5 minutes.
Besides this, you can also use a microwave, which you have to heat in 15-second bursts, but here, you also stir it in between to avoid burning the chocolate.
Step 3: Steam or Froth the Milk
With the help of a steamer, you want to heat milk to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit for a perfect silky microfoam.
However, if you can’t use a steamer, then warm the milk on the stove and use a French press or handheld fother to create a creamy foam.
Step 4: Put It All Together
- You need to pour two tablespoons of peppermint syrup into a mug.
- Then add the freshly brewed espresso and stir it well.
- Now, you need to mix in the melted white chocolate until you have a uniform blend.
- After that, you can slowly add the frothed milk, using a spoon to hold back the foam until you’re ready to top the drink.
- Finally, your delicious drink will be ready, so you can top it with a generous dollop of whipped cream and garnish it with chocolate or a sprinkle of crushed candy cane (you can even use dry fruits for topping, like pistachios).
Pro Tip: This is where most people make a mistake. You actually want to layer all your ingredients properly to preserve form and maintain flavor. It is good for both visually appealing and for better taste too.
Fun Customizations & Variations
Here are some tricks that can help you make your Starbucks peppermint white chocolate mocha even better than the original recipe we get at Starbucks.
You can use any of them. Here are my favorite options:
Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
If you want your drink to be more chilled, then you can use pre-chilled espresso and cold milk and then blend it with ice for a smoother, frappé-like texture. And for an extra touch, you can top it with a dollop of cold foam (whip ¼ cup cold milk with a pinch of sugar until thick)
Spiked Peppermint Mocha (For the Adults)
You wanna stir one ounce of peppermint schnapps or Bailey’s Irish Cream if you want a festive or boozy twist.
Besides this, you can also garnish it with a candy cane stirrer to make it both flavorful and stylish.
Kid-Friendly “Peppermint Hot Chocolate”
For kid-friendly versions, you want to omit the ½ cup of rich hot chocolate mix, plus you can use just one tablespoon of peppermint syrup (overpowering syrup isn’t good for kids)
Holiday Twists & Flavor Enhancements
If you are making a Starbucks peppermint white chocolate mocha recipe during the holidays, you can add a pinch of cinnamon to your peppermint syrup for a warm seasonal kick.
Besides this, you can also add dark and white chocolate combos. So you need to blend around 70% dark chocolate for a complex little sweet flavor, and the rest should be white chocolate.
Insider Tips to Make Mocha Recipe Perfect
- Avoid Grainy Chocolate: You should always use high-quality chocolate and melt it slowly using a double-boiler method. If you’re using low-quality chocolate, you won’t get the exact taste as Starbucks; when using high-quality, expensive chocolate, your drink will still be cheaper than a drink at Starbucks. So you shouldn’t compromise that. Plus, you can add one teaspoon of coconut oil to restore its smoothness.
- Perfect Your Mint Balance: When you’re adding peppermint syrup, you also taste in between and then adjust gradually. You can also use vanilla extract mellow to overpower mint if needed.
- Master the Milk Froth: Whole milk is the best mocha recipe as it naturally creates the best foam. However, if you’re using a dairy alternative, you can opt for a barista blend of oat milk to achieve that ideal velvety texture.
How It Stacks Up: Nutrition & Cost Breakdown
- Calories: When you buy Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha at the coffee outlet, it contains approximately 470 calories. But if you make it home, it contains around 220 calories (when using almond or oat milk). It’s actually a nice way to enjoy mocha recipes without caring about calories, especially when you’re on a diet.
- Sugar Content: At Starbucks, you get around 54g of sugar per cup (it’s too much for the health-conscious). However, when making it at home, it contains around 18g (when you use a reduced-sugar option or natural sweetener). You can adjust the sugar based on your preference.
- Cost per Serving: When you make this recipe at home, the cost drastically reduces. At Starbucks, the Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha drinks cost $6, while making it at home costs only$1.50. So at the shop price, you can make 3-4 drinks at home.
- Dietary labels: Keep in mind that peppermint white chocolate mocha is a highly adaptable drink. You can customize it as much as you want; you can make it gluten-free, vegan, keto-friendly, or calorie-dense with the help of the substitutions I provided above.
What to Serve Your Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha With
Now, let’s look at some beautiful things that you can serve with your peppermint white chocolate mocha.
I eat these things with my coffee during snack hours, like at 4 pm, when I feel a bit hungry or want something light that fills my stomach for some time. So, let’s have a look at them.
Pastries & Baked Goods:
- You can have cinnamon rolls as they have a warm, gooey texture and spiced sweetness. It tastes good with the Mocha.
- Chocolate croissants are also good. They are buttery and have flaky layers paired with a stubble chocolate flavor. And because of its crunchiness, you would like it with your drink.
- Almond or chocolate mocha biscotti are also good. They are crunchy and nutty. So, I dip them into my creamy mocha and eat. You can try that, too. It’s gonna taste good.
Holiday Treats:
Copycat Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha is a good option to make on holidays or on special occasions.
So, let’s look at some options that you can serve with your Starbucks coffee when serving guests or just to give yourself a good treat.
- You can make a peppermint bark at home and serve it. It’s made of white and dark chocolate, so it can make your drink more minty and chocolatey. (Although I haven’t tried this one, I’ll surely try it now.)
- Gingerbread cookies are also good, and they are also healthy. Of course, not very much, but they are because of ginger, cloves, molasses, and allspice, and not because of sugar. However, when making it, you can use less sugar or use natural sweeteners.
Light Bites & Savory Options:
If you want to have something fresh, savory, or light, here are some options that you can serve with a Starbucks peppermint white chocolate mocha recipe:
- A fruit platter is a very good option. You can have citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, or even seasonal berries like strawberries, etc. They are very good if you want to have something fresh with your drink. Their acidity, which is present in citrus fruits, also cuts to the drink’s richness.
- Cheese and crackers are also good options to serve with this Starbucks drink. They have a savory twist, and you can serve them with a simple cheese platter like brie or Havarti with crisps and crackers.
Wrap-Up
This was a Starbucks peppermint white chocolate mocha recipe, which is tasty, cheap, and more healthy. So now, you don’t need to stand up in a Starbucks line and pay $6 for a recipe while you can make it at home.
Plus, when you are making it at home, you aren’t just saving money, but you are also having something healthier, as you can customize it based on your dietary preference, like keto, vegan, boozy, kid-friendly, and drink it guilt-free.
Btw, If you try to serve it with something else besides what I have mentioned, or you are trying to experiment with peppermint white chocolate mocha according to yourself, then make sure to share this recipe with us.
Can I use peppermint extract instead of syrup?
Yes, of course, you can use peppermint extract instead of syrup. You can mix around; you can mix one¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract with one tablespoon of simple syrup. You can also adjust it based on your taste.
How do I store leftover peppermint syrup?
You need to use an airtight container, which you can keep in a refrigerator for up to one month. And if you want to store it for longer than that, then you need to add one ounce of vodka.
But I personally recommend you not to drink Starbucks peppermint white chocolate mocha after so long a time.
I recommend that you need to make this recipe whenever you want to drink. It’s not really hard to make, so why would you want to keep that in the refrigerator for a longer time and then drink it when it has already lost some nutritional value or even the taste has changed a bit?
However, that’s your choice, but if you are keeping it in a refrigerator, then you can again reheat it and drink a little. Also, the coffee has a cold version, which is good, so you can drink it cold as well.
Why does my white chocolate clump?
White chocolate is usually very sensitive to heat, so if it clumps, it might be the reason you overheat it.
So you always want to melt the white chocolate slowly. For that, you can use low heat. And you need to stir it continuously.
Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
Ingredients
- Mocha Ingredients:
- ½ cup strong brewed coffee or 1 tbsp instant espresso + ¼ cup hot water
- ¼ cup white chocolate finely chopped
- 2 tbsp peppermint syrup homemade or store-bought
- 1 cup whole milk or oat/almond milk for dairy-free
- Whipped cream for topping
- Crushed candy canes or dark chocolate for garnish
- Homemade Peppermint Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar or ½ cup honey/monk fruit blend for a healthier option
- 1.5 tsp pure peppermint extract
Instructions
- Brew the Espresso
- Brew a fresh shot of espresso (or make strong coffee using instant espresso or French press).
- Melt the White Chocolate
- Use a double boiler method to melt white chocolate over low heat, stirring until smooth.
- Alternatively, microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each, to prevent burning.
- Steam or Froth the Milk
- Steam milk to 150°F for a silky microfoam.
- If no steamer, warm milk on the stove and froth with a French press or handheld frother.
- Assemble Your Mocha
- Add 2 tbsp peppermint syrup to a mug.
- Pour in espresso and stir well.
- Mix in melted white chocolate until smooth.
- Slowly pour in frothed milk, holding back foam until the end.
- Top with whipped cream and garnish with crushed candy canes or dark chocolate.
- Pro Tip: Layering ingredients properly enhances flavor and presentation!
Notes
- You can make this mocha vegan using oat milk and dairy-free white chocolate.
- For a keto version, use sugar-free white chocolate and monk fruit sweetener.
- Try the iced version by blending cold espresso with ice and frothy milk.
As a passionate home cook and food enthusiast, I’m specialize in recreating popular café and restaurant-style chocolate recipes at home. I have experience in testing and customizing various chocolate-based dishes, I focus on using fresh, high-quality ingredients to make preservative-free, delicious treats. My goal is to help chocolate lovers enjoy their favorite recipes with a homemade touch and personalized twists.