The Healthiest Peppermint Mocha

This may just be the healthiest peppermint mocha you’ll ever see.  

I realize that this may be an exaggeration; I have no idea what other peppermint mocha recipes are out there. Nevertheless, this is the healthiest one I’ve ever had. Plus, it’s the perfect holiday drink. Peppermint mochas were always my holiday drink of choice when going to Starbucks. And I don’t know about you guys, but I’m all about making my favorite treats a little healthier. That way, we can enjoy our favorite treats and feel good about it. There’s still place for real treats of course… It’s all about balance.  

Are you as excited for the holidays as I am?! Now that my dietetic exam is done, I have more time to relax and enjoy the holidays. This is the first time I don’t have to worry about exams or internship work this time of year. Of course I’m worrying a little about the results from my dietetic exam, but I’m trying hard not to think about that. It’s done now and I can’t change anything! I’ll know the results in January, so now we just wait and see.  

I’m trying to distract myself by working on new recipes, finishing my Christmas shopping and spending time doing the things I love. I’m starting a new book, I’m watching some shows on Netflix that I’ve been putting off and now I’m starting a new painting for our apartment. I also have a goal of running 50km this month. I was able to do it last month and I loved it so much, I decided to do it again!

Things are always busy around here, but in a good way now. It’s not the same stressful busy as it was in university or during my internship last year. I love being busy when I’m doing something I love! 

 I’m definitely happy it’s Friday though. It’s been a long week and I’m excited to spend some down time this weekend. My weekend will probably involve a lot of recipe testing and reading while enjoying a peppermint mocha.

Now, back to the recipe.

This peppermint mocha is made from a few simple and wholesome ingredients. I use brewed coffee as a base and blend it with cashews to make a creamy, frothy drink. Trust me, if you have a good blender, you won’t have any issues blending the cashews until creamy. You shouldn’t find any pieces of cashews. If that’s an issue, you could try straining the drink with a nut milk bag. I use this one from Ellie’s Best (you can use the code “unsweetened” to get 10% off).  If you’re from Canada, you can get it here, but unfortunately the coupon code only works for the US.

Now, for flavor, I added 2 Medjool dates (use more if using cheaper, dry dates), one tablespoon of cocoa powder and a 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Feel free to adjust those ingredients to taste. Add more chocolate if you love a strong chocolate flavor, add more dates if you want a sweeter drink and more peppermint as desired. It’s all up to you!  

A little off topic, but have you tried my creamy cashew chai latte yet? This peppermint mocha is a variation of that drink. Since creating that latte, I’ve been dreaming of other latte flavors to make. I love creating delicious alternatives to all the sugary drinks out there. I must say, I don’t miss the added sugar AT ALL.  

What flavor should I make next? 🙂

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The Healthiest Peppermint Mocha

This has to be the healthiest peppermint mocha you'll ever find. Not only is it sweetened with dates only, but this drink is also blended with cashews for a frothy milk-free finish. The cashews make it perfectly creamy without the milk, plus they add a good dose of healthy fats.Add some unsweetened cocoa powder and a drop of peppermint extract and you've got yourself a delicious healthy holiday dink.

Course Drinks

Cuisine vegan, vegetarian

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 1

Ingredients

• 2 cups brewed coffee
• 1/4 cup raw cashews
• 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 Medjool dates, pitted (or maple syrup to taste)
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• Small pinch of fine grain sea salt

Instructions

• Blend all the ingredients for 30 seconds in a high-speed blender until creamy.

Notes

This recipe makes 2 cups (1-2 servings).

If your blender is on the weaker side, try straining it using a nut milk bag. If using a strong blender, such as Vitamix or Blendtec, you shouldn't have any pieces of cashews left.

Adjust the cocoa powder, dates and peppermint extract to taste.

Some readers have successfully tried it with roasted cashews, so use what you prefer.

If you try this recipe, make sure to tag your photo #unsweetenedcaroline on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Don’t forget to also tag me @unsweetened.caroline on Instagram so I can see your creations!