Put a minty spin on your hot chocolate this winter! This homemade mint hot chocolate recipe is simple and uses real mint for a fresh, tasty treat!

We’ve had some REALLY cold days this winter, and I always find myself craving hot chocolate on those freezing, gloomy days. The kids always ask for it too! Sometimes I cheat and use the store-bought mix, but I love to make my own when I have the time. I like knowing what’s in my hot chocolate, and you can control the sweetness! Plus, you can add in some fun things – like real mint!
I am a big fan of using real mint in my recipes, the flavor just can’t be beat. My no-churn mint chocolate ice cream is one of my favorites! If you haven’t tried it yet, I urge you to think about trying it soon!! There is something magical about steeping mint leaves in cream or milk. It’s so tasty!
So, whether you’re shivering under a blanket or even if you’re experiencing some warmer weather, read on for a super simple and delicious hot chocolate!

How do you make homemade mint hot chocolate?
The first step to this deliciousness is to steep the fresh mint leaves in milk and cream. If you are thinking ahead of time, you can do this step in advance and keep the flavored milk in the fridge until you want to use it for the hot chocolate; or, you can prepare it and use it straight away in the recipe!
Add about 20-25 mint leaves to a mixture of cream and milk in a small saucepan. I always like to add a little bit of heavy cream to the hot chocolate, it’s just so rich and delicious! You can leave it out if you’d like and just add additional milk.

Bring the mixture to a light boil, then turn the heat off, remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit, with the lid on, for 20 minutes.
Now, strain out the leaves from the milk into another saucepan or a container to store in the fridge for later use. If you’re using it right away, place the saucepan of minty milk back on to the stove, then whisk in the remaining ingredients for the hot chocolate:
- cocoa powder
- maple syrup
- chocolate chips
Heat the mixture until simmering, whisking often, ensuring that the chocolate chips are entirely melted. Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and serve!

What do you top mint hot chocolate with?
My favorite toppings for this hot chocolate are whipped cream and marshmallows!! Chocolate shavings on the whipped cream are a fun touch, too.
If you want to be extra minty, you can also make mint whipped cream. Repeat the same process of steeping mint leaves, but with heavy whipping cream; however, you will need the cream to be completely cool before whipping it into whipped cream. So – this is definitely a plan ahead type of treat!
Can you make this mint hot chocolate dairy-free?
I haven’t personally tried this with non-dairy milk, but it would work the same if you use unsweetened almond or cashew milk! If there is any flavor to the milk, including coconut or vanilla, that flavor will come through (it could be delicious)! If you do use a non-dairy milk, the hot chocolate may be more thin, but it will still taste great.
Be sure to use vegan or dairy-free chocolate chips as well.
You can also top this with coconut whipped cream! Delicious!


If you like this hot chocolate, try these other recipes on the blog:
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Mint Hot Chocolate
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Put a minty spin on your hot chocolate this winter! This homemade mint hot chocolate recipe is simple and uses real mint for a fresh, tasty treat!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups 2% milk*
- 1/2 cup heavy cream**
- 20–25 fresh mint leaves
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- optional: whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings for topping
Instructions
- About 30 minutes before you would like to enjoy the hot chocolate***, combine in a saucepan the milk, heavy cream and fresh mint leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove the saucepan from heat, place the lid on the saucepan and let it steep for 20-25 minutes.
- Strain the mint leaves from the milk, and place the milk back into a saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the cocoa powder, maple syrup and chocolate chips. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking constantly. Once the mixture is simmering and the chocolate chips have completely melted, the hot chocolate is ready to serve!
- Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallows, whipped cream and chocolate shavings (if desired).
Leftover mint hot chocolate can be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container. Reheat the hot chocolate in the microwave or in a saucepan.
Notes
*You can use non-dairy milk, whole milk, or skim milk. I find 2% is the right balance between rich flavor and calories!
**I like to add the heavy cream to make the hot chocolate perfectly rich. You can leave it out and just replace with an additional 1/2 cup of the 2% (or other) milk.
***You can steep the minty milk in advance. Store it in the fridge (once cooled) until you’re ready to use.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: hot chocolate
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: american
Keywords: mint hot chocolate // homemade mint hot chocolate


That was a great tip for having it steep for 20 minutes to really allow the flavor of the mint to come through. I am loving the bite of freshness that the mint adds!
What a beautiful mint hot chocolate you’ve got here, Katherine! Save me a glass!
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Homemade hot chocolate is the best Katherine and I love this minty version. It’s warm here in Florida, but I think I’ll need to treat myself to this yummy hot chocolate ASAP! Too good to pass up!
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This looks like such and indulgent and minty hot cocoa! Perfect for our chilly weather!
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Mint is our favourite, four seasons! Perfect one!
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