Peppermint Hot Chocolate

So, It’s been a few months since I got everything ready to finally post a bunch of delicious sugar free hot chocolate recipes...

And then life happened. Whoops.

So, while this low carb peppermint hot cocoa recipe may seem SLIGHTLY out of season - the winter holiday season ended a few weeks ago - hey... there’s still snow on the ground! So, it’s fair game, right?

This sugar free hot cocoa recipe is super easy, and makes a really rich, decadent hot chocolate.

I’ve always loved peppermint and chocolate together, and this delicious hot chocolate definitely scratches that itch!

The best? This simple recipe comes in at just 3 g net carbs per serving!

Warm, satisfying, festive, AND super low in carbs, what more could you ask for?

Well... maybe some extra protein. If that’s the case, I’ve got a low carb, high protein Peppermint Mocha hot chocolate mixes recipe that might be of interest to you!

Anyway, I’m off track... have been writing a ton of hot chocolate recipe posts lately, after all!

So, let’s get to that recipe, eh?

Ingredients

While this Sugar Free Peppermint Hot Chocolate recipe uses only a few basic ingredients, they’re not necessarily ones that you can easily find in grocery stores. So, it’s good to plan ahead!

A few notes for you:

Sugar Substitute

While you can use your favorite sweetener in this recipe, my sweetener of choice is Brown Allulose.

Allulose in general is a great addition to the pantry for anyone watching their sugar. Like monk fruit sweetener, it’s a good sugar replacement in terms of flavour and - to some degree - behaviour.

It doesn’t have any kind of weird aftertaste, and it doesn’t do the cooling sensation thing that erythritol does.

Anyway, for best results, I recommend using brown allulose. Like regular brown sugar, I find it boosts the chocolate flavor nicely.

You can substitute regular Allulose, in the same amount.

The only thing to keep in mind is that it’s slightly less sweet than real sugar - and any of the “cup for cup” sugar substitutes.

Allulose-Monkfruit Blend is another great option, just a bit harder to find and usually a bit more expensive.

Monkfruit blends tend to be more “cup for cup”, so you’ll use a little less. I would start with 1 ½ Tablespoons, and add a little more if you want it sweeter.

Basically, if your sweeter is a “less sweet” type, use the 2 Tbsp. If it’s something that says it’s as sweet as sugar, start with the 1 ½ Tablespoons and adjust.

Unsweetened Almond Milk

Unsweetened Almond Milk has been my milk of choice for years now. It was a great dairy-free option when I could no longer handle cow’s milk, and it’s a fantastic option for those on a keto diet.

When it comes down to it, though... depending on your macros, there are all kinds of good options that you can use in this recipe.

As far as non dairy milk goes, Oat milk, Cashew Milk, Flax Milk, Macadamia Milk and Coconut Milk are all good options - just definitely check the carb counts, to make sure they’ll fit your plan.

Beyond that, regular milk works, too - just a bit higher carb. You can use whatever you like, but I’d recommend at least 2% fat, for a nice velvety texture for sugar-free hot chocolate. I find 1% / skim milk to be too watery, IMHO.

Everything Else

Rounding out this recipe, you will need:

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Pure Vanilla Extract
Peppermint Extract
Salt

... Don’t really have anything to add, here.

Optional Toppings

Half the fun of making fancy drinks is dressing up the top of the hot chocolate with your favorite toppings.

Some of my favourite options for this Low Carb Peppermint Hot Chocolate recipe:

Whipped Cream (Unsweetened, or with your favourite sugar substitute)
Sugar Free Marshmallows (Chop them up for “mini marshmallows”!)
Sugar Free Mini Chocolate Chips
Crushed Sugar Free Peppermint Candies

How to Make Sugar Free Peppermint Hot Chocolate

The full recipe is in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, here is a walk through, with step-by-step photos:

In a small pot, whisk together the cocoa powder, sweetener, and salt.

Add the almond milk - a little at a time - whisking to fully incorporate the dry ingredients.

Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts.

Divide hot chocolate into 2 mugs, garnish as desired, and serve immediately.

Leftovers

Leftover sugar free peppermint hot chocolate can be cooled to room temperature and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

More Low Carb Hot Beverages!

Looking for more sugar free, low carb drinks - and drink mixes - as a healthier alternative to the coffee shop? I've got you covered, with all kinds of keto friendly fancy coffee drinks, hot chocolates, and more!

Basic Hot Chocolate
Cappuccino Mix (High Protein)
Chai Latte (High Protein)
Gingerbread Latte (High Protein)
Matcha Latte (High Protein)
Mocha Latte (High Protein)
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate (High Protein)
Peppermint Mocha (High Protein)
Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Pistachio White Hot Chocolate
Protein Hot Chocolate
Pumpkin Chai Latte (High Protein)
Pumpkin Spice Latte (High Protein)