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Made with just two ingredients, my easy peppermint hot chocolate recipe comes together in a matter of minutes, but tastes like you’ve worked for far longer than that.

Bright and minty notes make this rich, creamy cocoa drink especially perfect for Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations. (Plus, it’s fun to spike with your favorite liqueur, or garnish with a dollop of Baileys-infused whipped cream!) This mint hot chocolate recipe also works well as a make-ahead beverage—just store it in the fridge, and reheat in individual portions whenever a mint cocoa craving hits.

Why Make This Easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate?

This easy peppermint hot chocolate recipe does exactly what it says on the tin!

First, choose a good-quality bar of peppermint dark chocolate (see my notes below) and chop it with a sharp chef’s knife. Warm whole milk or cream in a saucepan on the stovetop, stir in the chopped chocolate, and wait until it melts. Then just garnish and enjoy. It doesn’t get much easier than that!

Choosing the Best Chocolate for Peppermint Cocoa

Because this homemade peppermint hot chocolate recipe contains just two ingredients, it’s important that they’re both top-notch. In addition to whole milk (or half-and-half or whipping cream, if you prefer a richer drink), I suggest buying the best-tasting mint chocolate you can find.

I tested this recipe using Green & Blacks Organic Mint 50% Cocoa, but some other options include Theo Organic Mint 70% Dark Chocolate, Chocolove Peppermint in Dark Chocolate, or Endangered Species Forest Mint 72% Cocoa Dark Chocolate.

Note: Be sure to choose a bar of mint-flavored chocolate (the ingredients will usually include cacoa and peppermint oil) rather than a bar with a creamy mint filling, or one with crispy/crunchy pieces or other add-ins.

And if the chocolate you’ve chosen isn’t quite minty enough for your liking, feel free to stir in 1-2 drops of natural peppermint oil to up the mint factor. If you’ve chosen an especially dark chocolate, you can also add sweetener to taste.

Mint Hot Chocolate for Saint Patricks Day

This peppermint hot chocolate makes a Saint Patrick’s Day beverage. To serve it on March 17th, you can:

Add booze, such as Baileys Irish Cream, Baileys Chocolate Liqueur, or Peppermint Schnapps
Top with homemade Baileys-infused whipped cream
Garnish with shamrock sprinkles, Saint Patrick’s Day sprinkles, or green sanding sugar
Tint the whipped cream (or the hot chocolate itself!) with a few drops of green gel food coloring
Serve with green-and-white striped straws or green stirring spoons
Pair with homemade peppermint marshmallows
Pop a Saint Patrick’s Day cocktail stick in each mug, or serve in a St. Paddy’s mug
Serve alongside a chocolatey Saint Patrick’s Day treat, like Guinness truffles or Lucky Charms bark

For a Saint Patrick’s Day party, you can easily make this peppermint hot chocolate in large batches—double, triple, quadruple, or even quintuple the recipe to suit a crowd. Just use a large stock pot rather than the medium saucepan in the photos below.

You can also prepare your cocoa on the stovetop and then transfer it to a large Crock Pot or slow cooker. Place mugs and a ladle nearby, along with a range of toppings, and allow guests to enjoy warm hot chocolate throughout the event.

Garnish Ideas for Homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate

A few of my favorite ways to garnish a mug of peppermint hot chocolate:

Add a dollop of whipped cream, coconut whipped cream, or Baileys whipped cream. Even a squirt of the canned stuff (like Reddi-Wip) will work in a pinch!
Sprinkle with shaved dark chocolate or miniature chocolate chips
Dust with unsweetened cocoa powder
Finish with a sprig of fresh mint
Serve with homemade peppermint marshmallows, vanilla bean marshmallows, or cookies and creme marshmallows
Top with green sanding sugar, chocolate sprinkles, or nonpareil sprinkles
Add crushed peppermint candies, chopped Andes Mints, or a peppermint stick
Place a sliced Peppermint Patty or After Eight mint on the rim

Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions

You can make this mint hot chocolate recipe in advance (or make a big batch to reheat in smaller portions) and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

To reheat, place desired amount of hot chocolate in a small saucepan on the stovetop and warm until steaming. Or, pour it into a microwave-safe mug and heat for 1-2 minutes for an easy mint chocolate treat.

Other hot chocolate recipes you might enjoy:

Bailey’s White Hot Chocolate
Red Wine Hot Chocolate
Vegan Hot Chocolate

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!