Dunkin’ Iced Peppermint Mocha Recipe

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This delightful Dunkin’ Iced Peppermint Mocha has become my little tradition, a yearly cue to slow down and savor the moment amidst the rush of holiday preparations. Like many of you, the comfort of its icy refreshment, combined with the warming flavors of mocha and peppermint, feels like a celebratory treat, perfectly capturing the essence of the season.

How to make Dunkin’ Iced Peppermint Mocha

The Dunkin’ Iced Peppermint Mocha is a seasonal coffee beverage offered by Dunkin‘, typically available around the holidays. It combines Dunkin’s classic iced coffee with peppermint-flavored syrup and mocha syrup, creating a refreshing and sweet combination of minty, chocolatey flavors. The drink is usually topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate or peppermint drizzle for extra flavor and decoration.

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 shots of espresso (or ¾ cup of strong brewed coffee as a substitute)
• 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder (for that rich mocha flavor)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar (adjust to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract (be cautious, as it’s quite potent)
• ½ cup of milk (any kind you prefer)
• Whipped cream (for topping)
• Chocolate syrup or mocha drizzle (for garnish)
• Crushed peppermint candies or a candy cane (for an extra festive touch)
• Ice

Instructions

1. Brew the Espresso/Coffee: Start by brewing your espresso or strong coffee. If using coffee, make sure it’s robust so as not to get overpowered by the other flavors.
2. Mix Your Mocha Mixture: In a bowl or cup, mix the hot coffee or espresso with the cocoa powder and sugar until fully dissolved. This creates the mocha base for your drink.
3. Add Peppermint: Stir the peppermint extract into the mocha mixture. Remember, a little goes a long way with extract, so start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.
4. Cool it Down: Let your mocha mixture cool slightly or chill it in the fridge for a bit. This step is crucial to prevent the ice from melting too quickly when you assemble your drink.
5. Prepare Your Glass: Fill your serving glass to the brim with ice.
6. Combine: Pour the mocha mixture over the ice in the glass.
7. Add Milk: Pour your preferred milk over the mocha mixture and stir well to combine everything.
8. Garnish: Top with a generous amount of whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup or mocha, and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies or a candy cane for that festive flair.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Insert a straw and enjoy your homemade Iced Peppermint Mocha!

Tips for the Perfect Iced Peppermint Mocha

• Espresso vs Coffee: If possible, use espresso for a stronger, more authentic coffeehouse flavor. Strong-brewed coffee works in a pinch, but make sure it’s concentrated.
• Milk Options: Any milk, dairy or non-dairy, works fine in this recipe. Full-fat milk or oat milk will give you a creamier texture, but skim milk or almond milk are great for a lighter version.
• Adjust Sweetness: You can adjust the sugar based on your preference. If you like it less sweet, start with less sugar, as the whipped cream and chocolate drizzle will add additional sweetness.
• Peppermint Extract Caution: Peppermint extract is potent; it’s better to start with less and adjust to your taste. Too much can overwhelm the other flavors.

What to serve with

Serving your homemade Dunkin’ Iced Peppermint Mocha creates a perfect opportunity to pair it with complementary snacks that enhance both the festive experience and the flavor profiles.

1. Christmas Cookies: No drink pairing screams holiday more than freshly baked cookies. Opt for classic choices like gingerbread cookies, snickerdoodles, or sugar cookies. These sweet treats pair wonderfully with the minty chocolate notes of your Dunkin’ Iced Peppermint Mocha.

2. Chocolate Desserts: Double down on the chocolate by serving brownies, chocolate cakes, or even chocolate-covered strawberries. The rich chocolate flavor complements the cocoa in your mocha, making for a doubly delicious experience.

3. Assorted Pastries: Consider a platter of assorted pastries: think croissants, danishes, or cinnamon rolls. These buttery, flaky treats are a good balance to the iced drink, with the pastry’s mild sweetness allowing the peppermint mocha to shine as the star.

4. Biscotti: Offer a selection of biscotti, particularly flavors like almond, chocolate, or vanilla. The crunchy texture of biscotti makes it ideal for dipping into the mocha, enhancing its taste and adding a pleasant crunchy contrast to the creamy whipped topping.

5. Fruit Tart: A fresh fruit tart with a crumbly crust can pair beautifully with the peppermint mocha. The acidity of berries balances the sweet and minty flavors of the drink, providing a bright contrast.

6. Cheese and Crackers: For a savory twist, serve a selection of mild cheeses and crackers. A cheese like brie or camembert, paired with some crisp crackers or slices of baguette, helps cut through the sweetness of the mocha.

7. Nut and Fruit Platters: A simple platter consisting of assorted nuts (like almonds, walnuts, and pecans), along with dried fruits, offers a healthier pairing option that still aligns with the holiday theme. The nutty flavors work nicely with the chocolate and peppermint of the mocha.

Ingredients Substitutes

Creating a Dunkin’ Iced Peppermint Mocha at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. Sometimes, you might not have all the specific ingredients required for an authentic recreation or want to adapt the recipe for dietary preferences or allergies.

Espresso

• Instant Coffee: If you don’t have an espresso maker, use strong brewed instant coffee as a substitute. Use a little less water than you normally would to ensure the coffee is strong enough.
• Regular Coffee: Brew a strong pot of regular coffee, concentrating it more than usual to mimic the deep flavor of espresso.

Peppermint Syrup

• Homemade Peppermint Syrup: Mix equal parts water and sugar, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the sugar is dissolved. Add peppermint extract to taste, starting with ¼ teaspoon and adjusting according to preference.
• Peppermint Extract and Sugar: If you don’t want to make syrup, you can add a few drops of peppermint extract directly to your mocha along with a teaspoon of sugar or sweetener of your choice.
• Mint Leaves: In a pinch, you can muddle mint leaves with sugar at the bottom of the cup for a fresh, albeit less intense, minty flavor.

Milk

• Non-Dairy Milk: Substitute any dairy like almond, coconut, soy, or oat milk for a lactose-free or vegan mocha. Each will bring a unique flavor profile to the drink.
• Half-and-Half or Heavy Cream: For a creamier texture, use these instead of milk. Be cautious with the amount, as they are richer than regular milk.

Chocolate Syrup

• Cocoa Powder: If you don’t have chocolate syrup, mix cocoa powder with a little hot water and your sweetener of choice to create a homemade chocolate syrup. Adjust quantities to taste.
• Dark Chocolate: Melt a small amount of dark chocolate with a bit of milk or cream and add it to your mocha for a richer, deeper chocolate flavor.

Whipped Cream

• Coconut Whipped Cream: For a dairy-free version, use chilled coconut cream whipped with a bit of sugar and vanilla extract.
• Skip or Reduce: If you’re watching your calorie intake, you might want to skip the whipped cream or use a light version.

Ice

• Coffee Ice Cubes: Instead of regular ice cubes, you can freeze coffee in an ice cube tray and use these cubes. This prevents your mocha from getting diluted as the cubes melt.
• Flavored Ice Cubes: Freeze almond milk or coconut milk with a bit of peppermint extract for a subtly flavored ice option that enhances your mocha as it melts.

Final Thoughts

This homemade Dunkin’ Iced Peppermint Mocha allows you to enjoy your favorite holiday beverage from the comfort of your home and allows you to tweak it to your liking.

More Mocha Recipes:

• Dutch Bros Candy Cane Mocha Recipe
• Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino Recipe
• Copycat Dutch Bros Flapjack Mocha Recipe