Love Peppermint Hot Chocolate? This Hack is SO Easy

Whether you make hot cocoa from scratch at home or are prone to using hot chocolate K-cups, making the perfect peppermint hot chocolate is a skill everyone should have come winter. It's sweet, creamy and oh-so-refreshing.

Two easy ways to achieve peppermint hot chocolate at home

You don't need to run to Starbucks to grab a seasonal peppermint hot cocoa drink (though you can if you want to). It's easy, affordable and takes just seconds to make a game-changing version of this scrumptious coffee alternative at home. Bookmark this page, because it's going to save you serious cash and time.

For the lightest peppermint flavor

The easiest way to give your hot cocoa a kick of peppermint flavor (and probably the best option for kids) is to use a peppermint stick or candy cane to stir. Repeat several times, till a good portion of the candy cane has dissolved into the hot cocoa.

Top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes for the maximum peppermint effect.

For the quickest, richest flavor: Chobani Dairy Coffee Creamer Peppermint Mocha

The grown-ups in the room are about to wonder how they ever lived without this chocolate-mint coffee creamer. It's rich (though not in calories) and adds just the right amount of thick, sweet, minty deliciousness to your favorite hot cocoa recipes and coffee drinks.

It's so velvety and perfectly balanced that it manages to dress up even the fancy hot cocoa powder drinks that seemingly don't need zhuzhing. We're obsessed. A spoonful or two makes a brilliant peppermint hot chocolate, winter-perfect latte, Christmas-ready drip coffee or just about anything else.

Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of unsweetened cocoa powder, then be sure to snap a photo.

Pro tip: Use your milk frother to make it a cafe-ready experience.

The old-fashioned, chef-approved peppermint flavor

Have a little extra time on your hands? Good, because this tried-and-true method is the one your grandmother probably used. It takes about five to 10 minutes to get it right, but once you get the hang of hot, frothed and flavored milk, you'll want to use it for everything.

For starters, get a milk frother and either whole milk, half and half or cream. Heat your milk until it's warm, not boiling hot. Froth for 30 to 60 seconds till a soft, foamy consistency is achieved.

Then add two drops of peppermint extract per half cup of milk. Continue to froth for another 10 seconds. We love this holiday season addition, but you can also try almond or vanilla extracts in your favorite hot chocolate recipe using the same method.

Consider your whipped toppings very, very seriously

Use homemade whipped cream if you're feeling especially DIY-ish, or reach for a can of the premium spray stuff to make your peppermint hot chocolate out of this world.

We love Whipnotic Fudge Brownie and Vanilla Salted Caramel whipped cream toppings because they add an extra infusion of flavor that's hard to match. A clever push-button dispensing system releases rich whipped cream and rich flavors in tandem.

Plus, they ship right to your door—so that's cool.