Vegan Peppermint Mocha

Cozy up with a warm mug of Vegan Peppermint Mocha this holiday season! We’re sharing an easy recipe for homemade dairy free peppermint mocha coffee creamer, which pairs perfectly with your favorite espresso.

Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and crushed candy canes for a delicious seasonal drink!

This post is sponsored by Calphalon. All opinions are our own. 

December is the time for cozy holiday drinks - cappuccinos, mochas, hot cocoa, hot cider - I’ll take ‘em all! This vegan peppermint mocha is especially appropriate.

It combines all of my favorite things - coffee, chocolate, and a side of holiday cheer! It’s made with espresso from our Calphalon Temp iQ Espresso Machine - we’ve been loving it for regular espresso and fancy drinks alike. 

You can find me cozying up by the Christmas tree with a good book (or holiday movie) pretty much every night this month. And although I don’t usually drink caffeine after 4pm, I make an exception for this peppermint mocha. It’s too good to resist. 

Before I get to the recipe - quick discussion on Christmas movies. What are your faves? My husband and I have been trying to watch as many classics as possible this year. So far we’ve made it through the original Miracle on 34th Street (SO good), Holiday Inn, Home Alone, The Santa Clause and my all-time favorite, White Christmas. 

We love watching old Christmas movies - there’s so much Christmas spirit and the stories are so beautiful. It’s a Wonderful Life is another all-time favorite - can’t wait to watch it! We’d love to hear your favorites - any new ones worth watching?

This vegan peppermint mocha is perfect for your next snow day, but why not enjoy it on a regular weekday this December? Such a nice way to start your day.

Plus, you can make the peppermint mocha creamer ahead of time. When it’s time to assemble, it only takes a few minutes to bring everything together. 

Ingredients

Our vegan peppermint mocha creamer is cashew-based for a creamy, rich, dairy free option. It’s important to soak the cashews in room temperature water for 2-4 hours before blending.

Soaking the cashews allows them to soften so they’ll blend completely for a super smooth, creamy milk. 

Once the cashews are soaked, all you have to do is add them to a blender with water, sweetener, cocoa powder, peppermint extract and a few extra ingredients. We always add coconut oil and a small amount of lemon juice, which helps keep the creamer stay fresh for longer by stabilizing it.

When it comes to cocoa powder, we always opt for unsweetened. You’ll be adding sweetener in the form of agave nectar, maple syrup, or another sweetener of choice. Liquid sweetener tends to blend much better. We opt for agave because of its neutral flavor. 

To add the perfect amount of refreshing peppermint flavor, peppermint extract is your best bet. It’s easy to find at most grocery stores, or you can always order online. A small amount goes a long way - we promise! 

Since the cashews have been soaked, you shouldn’t have to strain the creamer through a cheesecloth or nut milk bag. If you do have cashew clumps, either continue blending until smooth, or strain as a last resort.

Store the vegan peppermint mocha creamer in a sealed glass container in your fridge for up to 5 days. You may have to shake or stir between each use. 

 Now onto the most important part...espresso!

Calphalon Temp iQ Espresso Machine

We absolutely loved using our new Calphalon Temp iQ Espresso Machine to make this vegan peppermint mocha. It’s easy to use, even if you’ve never had an espresso machine before, and makes the perfect brew. 

I actually didn’t start drinking coffee at all until after graduating college. Not sure how I made it through those four years without it! In the following three years, I’ve become completely obsessed and currently have at least 2 cups a day, usually 3. 

I make a pretty even mix of regular coffee and espresso - it really depends on the day. But I’ve really come to enjoy the process of making espresso, and it’s made so much easier with a great machine!

The Calphalon Temp iQ Espresso Machine has an easy-to-use interface (no confusing buttons) and an integrated steam wand for frothing milk. You can choose between a single or double shot of espresso (I almost always opt for double).

The machine uses precise temperature for an even extraction throughout the brew cycle, meaning perfect espresso every time!

One of my favorite features is the cup warming trays. You can pre-warm your espresso mugs so they stay hot for longer. Especially important during these cold winter months! 

The machine comes with the portafilter, a tamper, stainless steel milk jug and a cleaning pin. The only other accessory you may need (if you don’t already have one) is a coffee grinder.

It’s always best to buy whole espresso beans and grind them for each individual use. This produces the freshest, most delicious brew!

At a reasonable price of $299, this makes for a fantastic holiday gift. Or, treat yourself! Why not? I’ve been thinking about getting one for my younger brother - he’s about to graduate from college and is absolutely obsessed with espresso.

Toppings

Once your creamer is made and your espresso is brewed, all that’s left to do is frothing and adding toppings. We used the built-in steam wand on our Calphalon espresso machine for a perfectly frothy creamer. 

Sure, you could stop there. Or, you could get extra fancy and go crazy with toppings. Hey, it’s December - enjoy yourself!

We opt for our favorite store-bought vegan whipped cream, shaved dark chocolate and crushed candy canes.

All together, it’s a decadent and insanely delicious drink. You could also add in a few marshmallows for a hot cocoa-inspired mocha. Either way, you’ll want to start every day with a mug of this vegan peppermint mocha! 

If you don’t want to make homemade peppermint mocha coffee creamer, that’s perfectly fine. There are plenty of great vegan store-bought options on the market. If you can’t find one that’s peppermint mocha flavored, you can always blend regular creamer with peppermint extract and mocha for a shortcut version. 

More hot drinks to enjoy this holiday season

Get cozy with a few more of our favorite hot drinks this December! 

• Hot Apple Cider Cocktail
• Naturally Colored Rainbow Lattes
• Vegan Gingerbread Latte via Choosing Chia
• Vegan Chai Latte via Bakerita Blog

If you make this Vegan Peppermint Mocha, we’d love for you to leave a comment and rating below! We also love to see your creations on Instagram – tag us at @crowded_kitchen so we can see what you’ve been cooking.

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