Spiked peppermint hot chocolate is one of our favorite cold weather cocktails. It's rich and creamy, chocolaty, and has a fresh burst of peppermint, very much like Starbuck's peppermint hot chocolate, only better. It's perfect for Christmas, Valentine's Day, or whenever you're in the mood for a hot cup of peppermint cocoa. If you're not into hot drinks, then try our Vegan Frozen Eggnog Hot Chocolate.
Published Feb. 9, 2014 and updated February 12, 2021.
WHAT IS SPIKED HOT CHOCOLATE?
Spiked anything is quite simple. It's just your favorite drink with a splash of a complimentary liquor!
In this case, we created our spiked hot chocolate recipe by adding peppermint schnapps. It takes a regular cup of cocoa and turns it into the best night cap.
Why We Added Peppermint Schnapps
There are so many liquors that you can add to hot chocolate. However, we find that chocolate and mint go together so perfectly that we had to pick peppermint schnapps. Chocolate is a very strong and rich flavor. By adding peppermint, you cut the richness a tad by adding a flavor that is purely refreshing. Together they're really the perfect pair.
What Other Liquors Can I Add to Make Spiked Hot Chocolate?
If peppermint schnapps isn't your favorite, don't worry! There are so many other alcoholic beverages you can add to make this delicious vegan spiked hot chocolate.
Other options include:
- Vanilla Vodka
- Almond Milk Baileys
- Spiced Rum
- Chocolate Liquor
- Red Wine (trust us, it's pretty good!)
- Guinness
- Grand Marnier
Most hot chocolate recipes, including instant hot chocolate, is made with dairy.
Obviously, vegans don't consume dairy, so we had to find a replacement!
In this recipe we used full fat oat milk and it turned out super creamy and delicious.
If you don't like or can't drink oat milk, try these, in order of creaminess:
Non-Dairy Milk Substitutes
- Coconut Milk
- Ripple (pea based milk)
- Cashew Milk
- Soy Milk
- Almond Milk
How to Make it
This specific recipe makes one glass, but is very easy to multiply!
The ingredients include:
- Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (1 Cup)
- Vegan chocolate chips (1 tbsp)
- Granulated sugar (1 tsp)
- Peppermint schnapps (1.5 oz)
Step One
- Heat the oat milk on medium heat in a saucepan.
Step Two
- Once the oat milk is steaming, add the chocolate chips and continuously whisk until the chocolate is melted into the oat milk.
Step Three
- Whisk in the sugar to the oat milk chocolate mixture.
Step Four
- Pour the shot of peppermint schnapps into the mug and pour over the hot chocolate.
Step Five
- Add vegan marshmallows and whipped cream, stir and enjoy!
How to Add a Chocolate & Peppermint Rim to a Glass
To make this the best vegan hot chocolate you've ever tasted, go the extra steps and add chocolate and peppermint to the rim of the glass.
It's easy and it makes the hot cocoa look so festive.
- Melt chocolate chips in a microwave until the chocolate is smooth and silky.
- Dip and gently twist the rim of the glass in the chocolate and lift out. Let the chocolate drip down the sides.
- Crush the candy canes or any hard peppermint candy with a mortar & pestle, or put them in a plastic bag and gently pound with a rolling pin.
- Put the crushed candy on a flat plate and dip the chocolate rimmed glass in the candy.
Where Can You Find Vegan Whipped Topping?
You can make our Easy Coconut Milk Whipped Cream
Additionally, you can buy the following in your local grocery store:
- Reddi Wip Non-Dairy Whipped Cream - coconut or almond
- So Delicious Coco Whip
- Truwhip
Vegan Cookies that are Great With Hot Chocolate
Here are our top three favorite recipes to serve alongside this spiked hot chocolate!
Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies
Make our spiked peppermint hot chocolate recipe and let us know what you think. We love to hear from you! And, don’t forget to take a picture of your gorgeous creation and tag us @veganosity on Instagram.
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Peppermint Spiked Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
- 1 tbsp Vegan chocolate chips
- 1 tsp Granulated sugar
- 1.5 oz Peppermint schnapps
Instructions
- Heat the almond milk on medium heat in a saucepan.
- Once the almond milk is steaming, add the chocolate chips and continuously whisk until the chocolate is melted into the almond milk.
- Whisk in the sugar to the almond milk chocolate mixture.
- Pour the shot of peppermint schnapps into the mug and pour over the hot chocolate.
- Stir and enjoy!
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
Yum, this look wonderful!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Christine!