What Is Starbucks Peppermint Mocha (What Is In Starbucks Peppermint Mocha, How To Order Starbucks Peppermint Mocha + More FAQs)
When it’s holiday time, we all eagerly await the return of the peppermint flavors at Starbucks. So, what is in Starbucks peppermint mocha? Let’s find out below.
A Starbucks peppermint mocha has mocha sauce, espresso shots, peppermint syrup, and steamed milk. I have always looked forward to a nice cup of peppermint mocha on a cold winter day. The taste of peppermint in coffee makes this drink a special treat during the holidays. Please, don’t let the next holiday pass you by without this nice treat, and if you have previously shied away from it for lack of information, this post will equip you with information about the nutritional facts, and what this mocha drink is all about.
Table of Contents
What is in Starbucks Peppermint mocha?
This special holiday treat presents to you with a tantalizing combination of the bittersweet Starbucks mocha sauce, peppermint syrup, and espresso shots mostly a double shot, and 2% steamed milk. The toppings consist of whip cream and a delightful dash of chocolate shavings. The milk can either be dairy or nondairy milk. Starbuck has introduced five plant-based milk options which include soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk.
The espresso shots can be double or single shots depending on the size of the cup serving. The peppermint syrup is available at Starbucks all year round, but all the drinks and Frappuccino blends that contain this syrup are reserved for the holiday. The syrup mostly has sugar, citric acid, and mint flavor. Mocha means high-quality coffee with an addition of chocolate sauce or syrup.
Equipment needed to make the Starbucks peppermint mocha at home
You can make this holiday drink in the comfort of your home even when the holidays are long gone. Yes, you heard that right; you don’t always have to wait for the holiday season to enjoy this great flavor. You need the following equipment for this simple and worthy procedure:
- Espresso machine
- 2 large Saucepans
- Stove
- whisk
How to make Peppermint mocha at home
When you have gathered the above tools, it’s time to make your Starbucks peppermint mocha. If you follow our directions, you will get the perfect drink.
For the peppermint, you will need:
- 1 tbsp. peppermint extract
- 1 cup Water
- 11/4 cups Sugar
For the mocha sauce, you will need:
- Cocoa
- 11/2 cups Water
- 11/2 cups sugar
- Three-quarters cup of cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp. coffee powder
- 1 tbsp. vanilla
- Salt
For the peppermint mocha, you will need:
- 1 cup Steamed milk
- Crushed candy canes
- Whip cream
Directions
- Start by preparing the peppermint syrup. Add the water and sugar to a saucepan and put on medium heat. Simmer until the mixture starts to thicken. Do not let the liquid come to a boil to prevent water from evaporating. Remove from heat and add the peppermint extract and stir. Set aside to cool.
- For the mocha sauce, pour all the above ingredients into a large saucepan. Bring them to a boil on medium heat while stirring with a whisk. Keep stirring until it’s thick enough. Add the coffee at this point and stir. Set aside to cool.
- For the espresso, pour coffee ground into your espresso machine. Pour hot water over the ground as instructed in the manual. Collect the extract and set it aside.
- When everything is ready, it’s time for the peppermint mocha. Pour the peppermint syrup at the bottom of your mug or cup. Pour your hot espresso extract at the equivalent of two shots which translates to a cup. Add the steamed milk to the mixture and top it all with whipped cream and crushed candy canes. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information for the peppermint mocha
A Starbucks Grande peppermint mocha has 440 calories. This drink also comes with 16g of fat of which 10g is saturated fat. The cholesterol is also available here coming at 45mg. Sodium levels are relatively low at 140mg. The carbs are equally high coming at 43g. The drink will give you 54g of sugar and 4g of dietary fiber. This drink contains 13g of proteins. From the look of things, this might not be the healthiest drink at Starbucks but it is okay to spoil oneself once in a while. Let’s look at this information in summary.
Calorie count( out of 2000 daily calorie intake) | 440 |
Nutrient content( per Grande serving) | % of daily Value |
Total Fat (16g)
Trans fat(0.00) Saturated fat (10g) |
21%
50% |
Total Carbohydrates (43g)
Sugar (54g) Dietary fiber(4g) |
23%
14% |
Proteins( 13 )g | 22% |
Cholesterol(45mg) | 15% |
Sodium (140mg) | 6% |
How do you order a peppermint mocha at Starbucks?
You can do it in-store or on the app. Ask for a mocha with peppermint syrup and top it with whipped cream and chocolate chips. You can order in a short cup which is 8 fluid ounces, Tall which is 12 fluid ounces, a Grande will give you 16 fluid ounces, a venti which comes in 20 fluid ounces, or the largest cup called Trenta which carries 30 fluid ounces. You can also skip all the trouble and simply ask for a peppermint mocha as it is available on the Starbucks official menu. The baristas are already trained to make this holiday special drink.
Final Thoughts
A peppermint mocha is one of the Starbucks holiday drinks. It is available for a limited period mostly from November to January. The ingredients are simple and easy to make at home too when holidays are long gone and your palate just craves a peppermint mocha. On the next holiday, be sure to grab your cup of this delightful flavor.
FAQ Section
How much coffee is in a Starbucks peppermint mocha?
A Grande peppermint mocha comes with a double espresso shot.
How many pumps are in peppermint mocha?
The Grande serving comes with four pumps of mocha sauce and four pumps of peppermint syrup.
Is there espresso in a peppermint mocha?
Yes, there is. A tall serving has a single shot of espresso.