Need a stunning hot drink for winter entertaining? Try Peppermint Schnapps Hot Chocolate! It’s rich and chocolaty, with just the right smoothness from the cool mint finish. Peppermint schnapps is a holiday tradition in our family, and it’s just right for adding to this creamy drink. Even better: ditch the pre-packaged mix for homemade hot chocolate you can make in 5 minutes on the stove.
Ingredients in peppermint schnapps hot chocolate
Mint and chocolate go hand in hand: the bitter richness is ideal with a hint of fresh peppermint. So there’s no better way to combine them for winter than peppermint schnapps hot chocolate! You’ll start with the base of our Homemade Hot Chocolate, then add a hint of schnapps. This stuff is potent, so don’t be too heavy handed! Here’s what you’ll need:
Cocoa powder2% milkSugarVanilla extractCinnamonSemi sweet or dark chocolate chipsPeppermint schnapps, 30 or 60 proof
Important: 100 proof schnapps
There are a few types of peppermint schnapps that you’ll find at stores and online: 30 proof (15% ABV), 60 proof (30% ABV), and 100 proof (50% ABV). As you might guess, 100 proof is very strong. If the bottle says 100 proof, skip the quantity in the recipe and add it to taste!
About peppermint schnapps, and a substitute
Peppermint schnapps is a clear alcohol made by adding peppermint flavoring to a clear grain spirit. It tastes like a candy cane, with a spicy, boozy finish. This type of schnapps is usually consumed in the winter during the holiday season, but of course you can add it to cocktails in any season!
What ABV is peppermint schnapps? Peppermint schnapps is sold in three different ABV levels: 15% ABV (30 proof), 30% ABV (60 proof), and 50% ABV (100 proof). Compare this to 40% ABV of hard alcohol like whiskey, gin, tequila, and rum. How much does it cost? Peppermint schnapps is very inexpensive: a 750 ml bottle costs $8 to $10. Are there any substitutes? White creme de menthe can work as a substitute: it has a gentler, more balanced mint flavor. Just make sure not to get the green Creme de Menthe (which makes the signature green color in a Grasshopper)!
How to make peppermint schnapps hot chocolate: a few tips!
Once you’ve got your ingredients, this peppermint schnapps hot chocolate is a breeze to make! Here are a few tips:
Multiply the recipe as needed for a crowd. The recipe below makes two 1-cup servings, so multiply as desired!Substitute 2 cups hot chocolate mix. It’s not nearly as good, but it works in a pinch.Top with whipped cream…and peppermint candies if desired. If you want to go over the top Christmas-themed, top this drink with crushed peppermint candies. And maybe a peppermint stir stick?
More spiked hot chooclate
You can spike hot chocolate with lots of different types of liquor and liqueurs. In fact, our favorite is with rum! Here are a few more adult hot chocolate recipes to try after this one:
Go for Spiked Hot Chocolate with aged rum or bourbonTry Baileys Hot Chocolate with Baileys Irish CreamOpt for coffee liqueur with Kahlua Hot ChocolateTry cozy Peppermint Patty
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