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A warm, holiday Skinny Peppermint Mocha laden with mint and chocolate. A favorite Starbucks re-creation that's gracious to your waistline and costs less money too! Gluten Free + Low Calorie + Paleo + Vegan
Happy Happy Friday Dearies! I'm so glad it's Friday. I'm feeling a little stressed because I have no Christmas shopping done. My parents finalized this week their plans to visit AZ over the holidays. We weren't sure if holiday celebrations would happen.
We've had a lot going on this year and I was sort of wanting to ignore the holidays. Now that they're coming, I'm glad but I gotta boogie and get organized. It's been a long week and my head hurts. I need more caffeine to make me happy.
Every time I type the word "happy" it reminds me of that song "Happy" from Despicable Me 2. That song has been overplayed so much I can hardly stand hearing it anymore. It such a snappy song. Every time I see or hear the word "happy" the song automatically plays in my head.
I can't wait for a new song to take over because that one makes me anything but happy. Something that does make me happy. A Starbucks skinny peppermint mocha.
I used to be a mocha-holic. Seriously they were a staple in my diet for years. The holiday peppermint mochas are my absolute favorite. It wasn't until I started losing weight that I realized how many zillion calories were in them though.
To meet my weight loss goals, I couldn't continue drinking them every single day. So we broke up. Well not technically. I gave them up temporarily until I lost weight and now have them in moderation and on special occasions.
Every year I treat myself to a peppermint mocha on my birthday with my birthday reward from my Starbucks app. That's when they make their appearance along with the holiday red cups. But for some reason it didn't happen this year.
Maybe because it was too hot in the desert a few weeks ago to even think about one or maybe I was in too much pain to want anything but to saw my foot off. That probably would've hurt more though.
I finally got my birthday peppermint mocha last weekend when I was at Starbucks catching up on blog work. I've been hanging out at Starbucks on the weekends a lot lately.
Mostly to get myself out of the house and focus on getting work done vs being so scattered here and there at my house. I swear adult ADD is real. It forces me to put a time limit on my work and I need boundaries right now.
It's become my new thing. This weekend when I was doing my Starbucks thing, it dawned on me that I should try to make my own skinny peppermint mocha. I can make almost anything so why not a fancy coffee? Probably for less calories too.
So I got to work and made my own fancy peppermint mocha and for 1/3 of the calories too. The steam off -> a Starbucks tall skinny peppermint mocha will set you back 100 calories. Mine is just 30 calories (as long as you don't get crazy with toppings).
I'm really proud of myself with this creation. You have no idea what it's like to go without something you love for so long only to find a healthier substitution for it that won't cost you your waistline. Trust me on this one.
This tastes exactly like a Starbucks peppermint mocha, but without the calories or cost. Now it does take a few extra minutes to make, but it's actually quite easy and you don't need any fancy coffee making equipment.
Just brew your favorite coffee (I used Starbucks mocha flavored coffee), warm a little almond milk, peppermint extract and cocoa powder on the stove, blend the milk mixture a few minutes, then add to your coffee and you have yourself a little peppermint mocha-chino.
Now that I discovered just how easy it is to make this I will be whipping it up all winter long. Just call me barista Megan.
Skinny Peppermint Mocha
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup black coffee brewed, medium roast or coffee of choice
- 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 packet stevia or sweetener of choice
- 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
Toppings (optional)
- Reddiwip use coconut for dairy free
- Cacao bites
Instructions
- Brew coffee, I used leftover coffee that I stored overnight in the refrigerator and warmed in the microwave.
- In a small pot, combine milk, cocoa, stevia and peppermint extract.
- Bring to medium heat for 2-3 minutes until cocoa powder dissolves and liquid becomes bubbly.
- Pour into a large coffee cup with the coffe then use a handheld foamer to blend until it becomes frothy and foamy. Add additional toppings as desired and enoy.
Notes
- This low calorie peppermint mocha coffee creamer recipe is also easy to make ahead, store in the refrigerator and pour over warm coffee.
- My Amazon shop has more products similar to those used for this recipe and that I recommend to my nutrition clients.
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
Love how you lightened up this treat! Thanks for linking up with us at SNF! Pinned to our party board!
Megan says
Thanks and thank for hosting too!
Anna @ Sunny Side Ups says
What a fabulous idea! I am in love with peppermint mochas too, and I love how much you've slimmed down the drink, even from Starbuck's skinny version! Awesome and delicious! 🙂
Megan says
Thanks, Anna! Hope you get a chance to try it.
Annie Heiss says
Found your blog through Jill's Friday blog link up! I am in love with this recipe idea. I've been using peppermint extract to make chocolate peppermint smoothies lately, but this sounds awesome. I have all the ingredients and plan to enjoy this tonight 🙂
Megan says
Chocolate peppermint smoothie? Now that's something I need. Thanks for stopping by, Annie! Hope you enjoy the mocha. It's divine.
Jessie says
I'm so excited for you that your family will be visiting this year. No holiday is complete without some type of family member present. Looking forward to hearing all about your time together 🙂
Megan says
Thx, they get here next weekend already. I'm so not ready either.
Sara @ Lake Shore Runner says
I don't drink Starbucks holiday drinks anymore either because I hate all the syrups and all the BAD things in them. I stick with my soy latte 🙂 I miss my peppermint mocha though - this will be nice to try once I get my Kuerig for Christmas!
Megan says
You're lucky to get a Kuerig. Hope you like the recipe!
jill conyers says
Yum! Make a favorite at home. I should have been doing this way before now 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
Megan says
At home is the best, finding the time is the trick.
GiGi Eats says
DUMP THIS IN MY MOUTHHHHHH - Not the safest approach, but I am willing to risk a BURNT TONGUE!
Megan says
Girl...that might hurt. Just saying!
lindsay Cotter says
i could go for one of those right about now. I need a boost and some chocolate. Love this version!
Megan says
Thanks, Lindsay!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
This looks delicious! It would be a great after dinner treat. Thanks for sharing!
Megan says
Thank you!
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
I never had peppermint mocha and this definitely makes me want to give it a try. It looks delicious. I like your use of Stevia as I use Stevia white powder to sweeten all my drinks.
Megan says
I prefer stevia over other substitutes. Hope you try it.
bridget says
seriously can't wait to make this!!!!
Megan says
Hope you love it!
Jessica Joy @The Fit Switch says
BRAVO! I can't wait to make this. Thank you so much. And, smart move creating your own substitution. This looks like the perfect accompaniment to a blogging session. And, you're making me want to work at Starbucks this weekend. lol. So happy to find you through Jill's link-up. Take care!
Megan says
Hope you like it. Thanks for stopping by & happy we connected Jessica!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I looooove this idea! I think I'll use my java protein powder and make it a post-workout frapp!
Megan says
Like that idea!
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness says
This just looks so good! Too bad I don't like chocolate so I might have to tweak the recipe and try with some cinnamon or nutmeg? Have a great weekend!!
Megan says
You don't like chocolate???
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
What a great drink! Way to cut the calories! I'm going to try this! I have all the stuff here!
Megan says
Thanks, hope you like it!