McDonald's Peppermint Mocha Copycat

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This McDonald's peppermint mocha copycat recipe is rich, creamy, and full of peppermint and chocolate flavors. Made fresh at home, it's even better than the Mickey D's version that we all know and love.

Closeup shot of mug full of copycat McDonalds peppermint mocha topped with whipped cream.

I love the caramel mocha that McDonald's carries, but I'm equally in love with their peppermint version. Since my copycat McDonald's caramel mocha worked out so well, I decided to try my hand at making their peppermint mocha, and the results are outstanding!

This was inspired by my love of the McDonald's peppermint mocha and the rich texture of my peppermint hot chocolate truffles. It's delicious on its own or paired with my tasty biscotti recipe.

Why You Will Love This Peppermint Mocha

Short Ingredient List: It only takes a handful of ingredients to make this copycat coffee drink at home.
Quick and Easy: Save a trip to pick one up and make it at home instead in just a few minutes.
Great Flavor: It's super rich and chocolaty and filled with peppermint flavor.
Enjoy for the Holidays or Any Occasion: It's a fantastic hot drink to serve family and friends during the holiday season though enjoyable any time of year.

Ingredients

You only need FOUR ingredients to make this delicious peppermint mocha recipe, and you can find them all quickly and easily at your local grocery store.

All the ingredients you need are listed here but you can find the exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Overhead shot of bottle of peppermint syrup, measuring cup with milk, chocolate squares, and mug of coffee on table.

Whole Milk: If you want an even richer flavor use half and half instead.
Strong Coffee: We keep things simple by using strong coffee but if you happen to have an espresso maker you can add a shot or two of expresso instead.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate: For delicious balanced sweetness or you can use dark chocolate instead for deeper flavor.
Peppermint Syrup: A simple way to add sweetness and peppermint flavor at the same time. If you don't have it use peppermint extract to taste instead.
Garnishes: Whipped cream, crushed peppermint candy canes, chocolate shavings, and chocolate sauce to add on top of your coffee drink.

Substitutions and Variations

Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this copycat peppermint mocha recipe.

White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha: Use white chocolate for a tasty twist.
Peppermint Mocha Frappe: Enjoy it chilled and blend it with ice!
Iced Peppermint Mocha: Enjoy it chilled over ice!

How to Make a McDonald's Peppermint Mocha

This delicious peppermint mocha is incredibly easy to make and only takes a few minutes and a few simple steps. Here's an overview below, but you can find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Heat all ingredients except peppermint syrup until small bubbles start to form. Turn off the heat and let the mixture stand.
Stir in the peppermint syrup.

Overhead shot of milk and coffee mixture in saucepan.

Overhead shot of measuring spoon with peppermint syrup over saucepan with milk and coffee mixture.

Whisk until fully combined.
Serve up your peppermint mocha in a mug with your favorite garnishes.

Overhead shot of copycat McDonalds peppermint mocha in saucepan.

Mug full of copycat McDonalds peppermint mocha topped with whipped cream.

⭐ Hint: Be sure to let your coffee mixture sit for a full 2 minutes so the flavors can meld well.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this easy dalgona cloud coffee.

Storage

This recipe makes 2 mugs of peppermint mocha, so you shouldn't need to store any leftovers. However, if you have leftovers, simply place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days.

Reheat the peppermint mocha on the stovetop or in the microwave until nice and hot!

What to Serve with Peppermint Mocha

This delicious copycat of Mcdonald's peppermint mocha is delicious on its own as an afternoon pick-me-up or you can also serve it alongside any of the following for a delicious breakfast, snack, or dessert.

Pair them with other minty favorites such as these Chocolate Mint Cupcakes, Peppermint Cheesecake, and Andes Mint Cupcakes.
Your favorite biscotti, banana chocolate chip muffin, or a piece of sweet onion sage bread.
Enjoy your coffee drink for breakfast with this Sour Dough Breakfast Sandwich or a Breakfast Croissant Sandwich.

Tips

Remove the coffee mixture from the heat as soon as bubbles begin to form so you don't curdle the milk.
Be sure to let your mixture rest for a full 2 minutes and stir occasionally to ensure all the flavors meld well.
Make this peppermint mocha just before you're ready to serve so it's nice and piping hot.

FAQ

Do you have questions about peppermint mocha? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this copycat McDonald's peppermint mocha.

What can I use if I don’t have store-bought peppermint syrup?

If you can’t find premade peppermint syrup, you could make some from scratch by making a simple syrup and adding peppermint extract for flavor. Just be sure to add the extract in small amounts as a little of peppermint extract goes a long way!

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes, you can! Feel free to use your favorite non-dairy milk, like oat or almond milk. You can also replace the chocolate with dairy-free chocolate chips and the whipped cream with coconut milk whipped cream or another dairy-free/vegan option!

What is the best way to store homemade peppermint syrup?

If you have decided to go the route of making your own peppermint simple syrup, the best way to store any leftovers is in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to 1 month.

A mug of peppermint mocha on the table topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

More Mint Recipes

Do you like mint? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.