Smooth and Rich Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipes

Many varieties of hot chocolate are available, from white to spicy Mexican, but none is more reminiscent of the holiday season than peppermint. Chocolate and mint is a classic flavor combination that can be seen in treats from Junior Mints to mint chocolate chip ice cream. Devout fans of these flavors have even gone as far as to create a holiday, National Chocolate Mint Day, celebrated every February 19th, in their honor.

The key to making a perfect cup of peppermint hot chocolate is to get the proper mint to chocolate ratio so that neither overpowers the other. You'll know when you've achieved this balance because you will taste the deep rich chocolate in every sip, followed by a smooth minty kick.

Though hot chocolates made from dry mixes oftentimes aren't as rich as those made from fresh chocolate, the convenience and ease with which they can be made make them well worth it.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Ingredients You Will Need:
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream or half and half
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
3 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
¼ cup cocoa powder
1 pinch salt
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
4 candy canes

Pour the milk and cream into a medium-sized pot, and heat over medium low heat. Just before it comes to a simmer, add the chocolates, cocoa powder and salt. Salt may seem like an odd ingredient here, but it intensifies the chocolate taste. Stir until the chocolate is melted and the cocoa powder dissolves. If this isn't happening, put the pot back on the heat for a few minutes, stirring continuously.

Once the chocolate is melted and the powder is dissolved, add the sugar, vanilla and peppermint. Stir to combine, but be sure not to put it back on the heat. The extracts are volatile and delicate, and heating them could diminish their flavor.

Pour the hot chocolate into four ceramic mugs, put a candy cane in each mug and stir. The peppermint flavor in the hot chocolate will intensify as the candy cane slowly dissolves.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Dry Mix
Ingredients You Will Need:
3 to 5 peppermint candies (the kind they give you when you leave a restaurant)
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
¾ cup cocoa powder
1 pinch salt

Unwrap the candies, and put them in a clean dishtowel. Fold the towel over, and crush them with a rolling pin or any other hefty object you have on hand. Put the crushed candy pieces in a jar along with the rest of the ingredients, and shake to combine. Stored in this jar in a cool dark place, this mix should keep indefinitely.

In order to prepare the mix, heat 4 cups of whole milk on the stove until just before it comes to a simmer. Take it off, stir in the mix until it dissolves and enjoy.