Starbucks Peppermint Mocha

Nikki C.'s Note:

Very close to the real thing. This recipe is amazing. I became obsessed with the real thing but at $5 a pop I deicided that I needed to find a cheaper alternative. So I went on the search for the recipe and the right machine and I experimented and Ta Da, we have a WONDERFUL knockoff.

• Total Time: 8 mins
• Prep Time: 3 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 1

• 3 tablespoons powdered baking cocoa (I used Ghirardelli-sweet ground chocolate and cocoa powder)
• 3 tablespoons warm water
• 1 ½ tablespoons peppermint syrup (do not use extract- you can buy a very large bottle of syrup at Starbucks for $7) or 1 ½ tablespoons creme de menthe
• 4 ounces espresso (see note below on how to make if you are unfamiliar)
• 12 ounces steamed milk (I use Fat Free)
• whipped cream
• red sugar crystals

Directions:

1. Combine 3 Tbsp Baking Cocoa with 3 Tbsp warm water to make into a rich syrup. Pour into a 16 ounce mug.
2. Add espresso
3. Add Peppermint syrup.
4. Steam milk and add to remainder of cup.
5. Garnish with whipped cream and sugar crystals.
6. Note: To make espresso (for 2 servings of this recipe) for those who do not know how, follow the directions below. Don't let the thought scare you it is almost as easy as making regular american coffee- it just takes a little practice:
7. Buy a $30 machine (Mr. Coffee ECM250 is good).
8. Put water into carafe up to band and put into machine.
9. Put coffee (any kind of finely ground) into filter head and pack down well.
10. Turn on and brew until carafe fills to 4 cup line that way there is still enough water in machine to steam milk.
11. Switch to steam mode and steam milk (if you do not have a frothing pitcher a 12 oz ceramic mug will work filled half way with milk but takes 2 fill ups to make one serving of this recipe).
12. Follow recipe and enjoy!

Reviews

[TexasTripletMom]

Comment: I suggest an espresso maker for making espresso. It's simply not the same as regular coffee. Sure the chocolate overpowers the taste to an extent- but espresso is made under pressure not with a drip coffee machine. The two are simply not equals. As for the recipe: The proportions here are about what I used at home. Only I used less milk (I thought you recommended 14oz and tried it this way but it was way too much IMO and it was very diluted tasting. 8oz was too little- and the drink a little too rich (though quite delicious and VERY chocolatey. Next time I'll try 10oz of milk instead- I think 12oz may be too much). I've had alot of starbucks peppermint mochas and that is the taste i'm shooting for. It'll be mostly chocolate taste- a little peppermint. And this would outweigh the taste of the espresso. And instead of adding water to the Sweet Ground Chocolate powder- i mixed it with the peppermint syrup to make the paste. This keeps the flavors from being more diluted. The amount of syrup used is more than enough to make a good paste with the chocolate powder. I might also recommend a smidge more peppermint syrup- but that can be adjusted after the drink is made.

[Chef #369551]

After deciding I could no longer bare the expense of my Starbuck's habit, I decided to give this a try. It's gonna take some time for me to get all the steps down to a science so I can do it faster, but I will have plenty of practice, because this is GOOD! It's not EXACT, but so worth skipping $4.19 everyday! I may need to get better baking powder, mine is store brand, nonetheless, this is YUMMY!!!

[Debbie R.]

This is excellent, even with inferior cocoa and coffee. I can't wait to make it with higher-quality ingredients. The proportions are just right. I'm thinking about adding a little sweetener, however. I love the explicit directions for espresso newbies.