Peppermint Mocha

Recently, I’ve found that getting enough protein seems to be absolutely essential to my ability to lose weight, so I’ve been working on getting a bunch of extra protein in.

One fun way I’ve been doing this is with making high protein coffee drinks. (Well, and tea drinks... and cup of soup drink-snacks...).

Each one is based with protein powder, and the coffee ones all taste like something you’d get at a local coffee shop, rather than at a gym.

In NO WAY does it feel like I’m doing 2 protein shakes a day.

I’m someone who’s never been a fan of protein shakes, so I have to come up with all kinds of other ways to use it.. Like making gummy candy or cookies with it.

This time of year, I’m thinking ahead to cold weather camping - and the upcoming holiday season. It may be August as I publish this, but - IMHO - time for seasonal drinks to come back!

Today I’m sharing my high protein peppermint mocha recipe - the classic combination of mint, chocolate, and coffee... just in a high protein, low carb form!

Healthy Peppermint Mocha

This homemade peppermint mocha latte recipe takes just a few minutes to make, and is pretty versatile.

You can make a skinny peppermint mocha up on the spot and use peppermint extract, or you can make mixes in batches.

Personally, I love making the mixes. I can have a BUNCH ready - in just a few minutes - so future drinks are basically instant. Just add water or milk, and go!

When using mixes, I use finely crushed sugar free peppermint candies to give the drink its characteristic candy cane / peppermint bark flavour. Works well!

Also, you can do this high protein peppermint mocha up as a traditional hot drink - frothy milk and all - no espresso machine
OR ...

You can make yours a high protein iced peppermint mocha. Either way, it’s a good peppermint mocha that is sure to please any coffee lover!

Let’s get to that recipe!

Note: I also came up with a bunch of other different ways to doctor up protein powders as fancy drinks. Be sure to see the link list near the bottom of this post!

Ingredients

This easy recipe uses a few simple ingredients that should be easy to find in any larger grocery store.

A few notes for you:

Chocolate Protein Powder

Chocolate Flavored Protein Powder is the main ingredient of these keto peppermint lattes.

It contributes the protein, the chocolate flavor, AND takes the place of needing to add unsweetened cocoa powder or vanilla extract.

Gotta love efficiency like that!

You can use whey protein (I do!), or a plant based protein, if you want a vegan peppermint latte. Either way, just use something that tastes good and mixes up smooth.

Personally, I use Revolution Nutrition's High Whey in Chocolate Cake.

Love the stuff!

Brown Sugar Substitute

While the protein powder does bring some sweetness to the drink, I do add a small amount of sugar sub to the drink, to boost it.

Rather than a white sugar sub, I like to use a Brown Sugar Substitute.

Specifically, I like to use Brown Sugar Allulose.

It doesn’t do that mouth cooling sensation that erythritol does, and that’s a big win in my books!

Instant Coffee

As I do these protein Peppermint Mochas up as make-ahead mixes, I use Instant Coffee Granules, rather than regular coffee.

Between the amount I use, and the fact that you powder it before measuring, this makes a nicely strong coffee drink.

Also, the protein powder, sweetener, and peppermint cover up any “instant coffee” flavour, so don’t worry if that’s not your favorite coffee option.

Don’t want so much caffeine?

Feel free to use a decaf instant coffee!

Peppermint Candies

Because I do these as mixes for easy use in the future, peppermint extract and peppermint syrup aren’t really great options for this particular recipe.

So, I get the peppermint flavor from crushed up Sugar Free Peppermint Candy!

It’s the perfect way to get the minty flavor, while not affecting the shelf stability of the mixes.

That said, if you’re making one of these peppermint mochas from start to finish, on the spot.. Feel free to use Peppermint Extract, to taste.

A little goes a long way, though - I recommend starting with ⅛ - ¼ teaspoon.

Milk or Water

You’ve got a few different options when it comes to mixing up your protein drink.

First off, milk or water. Milk will make for a creamier drink, and will give you a frothy head when making the hot version of this peppermint latte.

When it comes to using milk, I tend to stick to non-dairy milk -Unsweetened Almond Milk, usually.

I also love Oat milk, Cashew Milk, Flax Milk, Macadamia Milk, or coconut milk in these drinks.

I just find that they tend to taste a lot better than regular milk.

If you’re NOT limiting your dairy consumption, feel free to use 2% milk, skim milk, or whole milk in this peppermint latte recipe.

The more milk fat, the creamier the drink!

Shaker Bottle

Ok, this one’s not so much an ingredient, but I do recommend having one if you’re going to be doing protein coffee drinks on the regular.

Personally, I love my 20 oz BlenderBottle - I’ve got 4 of them! 2 in the house, 2 in the camper.

It’s just a really great size for these drinks, AND has a little whisk globe thing that ensures a smooth mix.

Love it!

Anyway, if you don’t have a shaker bottle, feel free to use an immersion blender or milk frother for making your protein peppermint lattes!

How to Make High Protein Peppermint Mochas

The full recipe is in the recipe card at the end of this post, here’s the visual walk through:

Before getting started, finely grind instant coffee in a mini food processor or spice grinder:

For Hot Protein Peppermint Mocha:

Combine dry ingredients in a shaker bottle or blender.

Add hot water or steamed milk* and peppermint extract; shake until well combined, smooth, and with no undissolved coffee granules left on the bottom of the bottle.

Pour into a large mug, garnish as desired (whipped cream, sugar free chocolate curls / chocolate shavings, sugar free chocolate chips, a little bit of sugar free chocolate drizzle, etc), enjoy right away!

For Protein Iced Peppermint Mocha:

Combine dry ingredients in a shaker bottle or blender.

Add cold water or milk* and peppermint extract; shake coffee mixture until well combined, smooth, and with no undissolved coffee granules left on the bottom of the bottle.

Pour into a large glass filled with ice, enjoy right away!

Pro Tip: For easier dissolving, you can add a small amount of hot tap water or hot milk* to the dry mix, shake until dissolved, then top up with cold liquid.

Another option is to make it with hot liquid, and chill it in the fridge for later use.

For Protein Powder Peppermint Mocha Mix Pouches:

Measure dry ingredients and crushed candy directly into individual snack-sized plastic baggies, seal and shake well to combine.

Press as much air as possible out of each baggie, seal the zipper.

Transfer baggies to an airtight container, labeled with the date, recipe name, and a note to use 12 oz of water or milk*, if you like.

More High Protein Drink Mixes!

Looking for more high protein, low carb drink mixes that can be made ahead? I've developed a whole series of instant drink mix recipes:

Chai Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Cream of Chicken Soup (Low Carb, High Protein)
Cream of Mushroom Soup (Low Carb, High Protein)
Fortified Instant Bone Broth
Gingerbread Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Matcha Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Mocha Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate (Low Carb, High Protein)
Protein Cappuccino (Low Carb, High Protein)
Protein Hot Chocolate (Low Carb)
Pumpkin Chai Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Pumpkin Spice Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)

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