Last year, on our first married Christmas, Dan and I started a new tradition; we wait to have our first mugs of rich and creamy hot chocolate of the season until the day we put up and decorate the tree. And then on Christmas morning, we sip hot chocolate while we unwrap our gifts. Both times, I spike the chocolate with creme de menthe or Irish cream for an extra festive flair, and top the mugs with marshmallows or homemade whipped cream.
This year, I experimented with topping the mugs of peppermint hot chocolate with a creme de menthe-spiked whipped cream. I highly recommend it; it elevates the flavor to a whole new minty level. If you’ve never made whipped cream before, don’t worry! It is incredibly easy. And once you’ve had homemade, you’ll never go back to the stuff in the can.
(Clearly, I did not take this photo quickly enough and the whipped cream melted into the hot chocolate!)
More hot chocolate related posts (all from February’s Hot Chocolate Week):
- Hot Cocoa and Hot Chocolate: What’s the Difference?
- Brain Food 101: Keeping Your Hot Chocolate Hot (a justification for all the marshmallows and whipped cream!)
- How to Make the Perfect Hot Chocolate
- Chai-Infused Marshmallows
- Clementine Whipped Cream
- Gifting Hot Chocolate (some great last-minute gift ideas!)
For a child-friendly beverage, replace the creme de menthe with 1 teaspoon peppermint extract. Instead of spiked whipped cream, top with marshmallows and crushed candy canes.
Ingredients
- Per Mug:
- 1 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon sugar, or more to taste
- Pinch of salt
- 1 ounce creme de menthe
- Peppermint-spiked whipped cream (recipe follows)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, melt the chocolate, cocoa powder and 1/2 of the milk over low heat. Stir continuously until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Add the rest of the milk, the sugar and the salt. Stir, then allow to gently heat the rest of the way through. Stir in the creme de menthe, then remove the pan from the heat. Pour into a mug and top with peppermint-spiked whipped cream (recipe follows).
http://www.savvyeat.com/peppermint-spiked-hot-chocolate/Copyrighted by Julie Grice and Savvy Eats
For a child-friendly beverage, replace the creme de menthe with 1 teaspoon peppermint extract. Instead of spiked whipped cream, top with marshmallows and crushed candy canes.
Ingredients
- Per Mug:
- 1 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon sugar, or more to taste
- Pinch of salt
- 1 ounce creme de menthe
- Peppermint-spiked whipped cream (recipe follows)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, melt the chocolate, cocoa powder and 1/2 of the milk over low heat. Stir continuously until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Add the rest of the milk, the sugar and the salt. Stir, then allow to gently heat the rest of the way through. Stir in the creme de menthe, then remove the pan from the heat. Pour into a mug and top with peppermint-spiked whipped cream (recipe follows).
Ingredients
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 ounces creme de menthe
Instructions
- Chill a mixing bowl. I've found that 5 minutes in the freezer does the trick. With a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or an electric mixer, beat the cream in the chilled bowl until soft peaks form (that is, when you lift the mixer out of the bowl, the whipped cream should fall into a curved peak and hold its shape).
- Add the sugar and creme de menthe and beat just until the whipped cream is a uniform light green color from the creme de menthe.
http://www.savvyeat.com/peppermint-spiked-hot-chocolate/Copyrighted by Julie Grice and Savvy Eats
Ingredients
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 ounces creme de menthe
Instructions
- Chill a mixing bowl. I've found that 5 minutes in the freezer does the trick. With a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or an electric mixer, beat the cream in the chilled bowl until soft peaks form (that is, when you lift the mixer out of the bowl, the whipped cream should fall into a curved peak and hold its shape).
- Add the sugar and creme de menthe and beat just until the whipped cream is a uniform light green color from the creme de menthe.
I die.
I shall revive you with a mug of hot chocolate!
I love that you started that tradition on your first Christmas together, Julie. Trust me, it’ll become sweeter and sweeter throughout the years. Happy 2nd Christmas together! And thanks for the peppermint-spiked hot cocoa recipe. Jeff adores peppermint-chocolate combos, and we haven’t had our first cocoa of the season yet.
Thank you. You MUST make some hot chocolate soon!
Mmmm, might have to stop at Starbucks now for their Peppermint Mocha…
Not that it’s like yours, but it’s got the peppermint!
Yum, yum, yum! We might need to start a new tradition
I love that tradition! I’m all about trying to start some of our own traditions this year.
Yes, you need some good California Christmas traditions
that’s an awesome tradition!
brad and i haven’t really started many traditions yet – i guess now is the time to do it!
Ohmygosh. yumYUM! This sounds so amazing! Love the mug btw
Wow those recipes all look good! Also I want that santa mug!!
I have a holiday recipe/decor link-up over at my blog and I know you have tons of yummy recipes and ideas so I’d love it if you’d join in!
http://semihealthnut.blogspot.com/2011/12/sweet-cinnamon-biscuits-recipe-round-up.html
Thanks for the link!