Homemade peppermint syrup- the latest kitchen staple saving me money.
If you read my post about my homemade lavender syrup you’ll know that I’ve been on a quest to pocket all the money I’d otherwise spend at a cafĆ©. For coffee snobs like me and my husband, this hasn’t been easy, but I keep finding ways to make me miss my local coffee shop less and less.
Specialty flavors like lavender were a big reason I’d sometimes splurge instead of making my coffee at home. After lavender syrup and pumpkin cold foam, I knew peppermint would have to be next.

As soon as the weather turns colder, I start craving a good peppermint mocha. I’m actually not a huge fan of regular mocha lattes, but there’s something about the clean, sharp taste of mint that cuts through the otherwise rich flavors.
As comforting as a hot peppermint mocha is in these cold, dark months, I love an iced one even more. Either way you can’t go wrong.
How To Make Homemade Peppermint Syrup
- Combine sugar and water in a saucepan
- Simmer and stir to dissolve sugar
- Bring to a boil then turn off heat
- Add dried peppermint leaves and cover to steep for 10 minutes
- Strain out peppermint leaves and store in airtight bottle in the fridge
It’s honestly as simple as making a cup of tea and the results will last for weeks! I love having a big bottle of this stuff stashed in my fridge not just for peppermint mochas but also for flavoring tea, cocoa and other seasonal drinks. My kids love it, too.
What We Love About This Recipe
- You still get the benefits of peppermint like soothing the digestive system
- It’s a strong yet natural tasting syrup- all the flavor, none of the fake stuff
- It’s so easy to make
- It makes a unique and pretty gift
- It’s a great addition to a coffee and cocoa bar
- It’s 100% natural and a perfect alternative to processed drink syrups
- Kid friendly- no caffeine, corn syrup or dyes
- Like I said before, it saves money!
Straining Off The Tea Leaves
After we’ve steeped the tea leaves in the syrup, we of course have to remove them. There are two easy ways to do this. The first is to place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl, pour the syrup over that, then pour the syrup from the bowl into your bottle or jar. You might need a funnel, especially if you’re using a bottle with a small opening like a swing top bottle.
The way I do it is to use my mini tea strainer inside a funnel that I place inside the bottle I’ll be using.



For a delicious peppermint mocha, try my Classic Cocoa Recipe as the base. Or if you love an even richer drink, go for the Rich Drinking Chocolate recipe. Use peppermint syrup in the place of the sugar and you’ll have a peppermint mocha that will have you skipping the coffee shop as well š
Grab the recipes here and tell me how you like them!

Homemade Peppermint Syrup
This is the easiest, most natural peppermint syrup recipe and so easy to whip up. This syrup will be the perfect addition to your coffee or cocoa bar. Make extra for gifts this season!
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup dried peppermint leaves (loose leaf peppermint tea)
Instructions
- Add sugar and water to a saucepan
- Heat on low and stir to dissolve sugar
- Bring to a boil then remove from heat
- Immediately add the peppermint leaves and cover with a lid
- Steep for 10 minutes covered
- Strain out tea leaves with a fine mesh strainer and pour syrup into a glass jar or bottle with a tight fitting lid
- Store in the fridge for up to a month
Notes
To add this syrup to cocoa or mocha lattes replace some or all of the sugar with the syrup. See my Classic Cocoa Recipe or Rich Drinking Cocoa recipe.
The easiest way to strain the tea leaves off is to place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and pour contents of saucepan through, or use a funnel over the bottle you'll be storing the syrup in with a mini strainer over the funnel. See pictures within post.

Classic Cocoa Recipe
This Classic Cocoa Recipe is so simple you can easily memorize it for hot chocolate any time. Make a single serving or simply multiply it as needed- either way you can't go wrong with this delicious warming drink.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp plus 1 cup of milk (divided)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, add the sugar, cocoa and 2 Tbsp milk.
- Whisk over low until fully combined to make a thin paste.
- Add the remaining milk and salt, stir.
- Turn heat to medium and heat through, stirring often and scraping bottom of pan.
- Be sure not to burn the cocoa. Once steaming, remove from heat and ladle into a mug.
- Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.
Notes
To make this a peppermint cocoa, replace with sugar with my Homemade Peppermint Syrup.

Rich Drinking Chocolate
Expounding on my Classic Cocoa Recipe, this Rich Drinking Chocolate is even more delicious and decadent. Double as needed for multiple servings.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp plus 1/2 cup of milk, divided
- 2 Tbsp chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup half and half
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a small saucepan combine sugar, cocoa and 2 Tbsp of milk.
- Whisk over low heat until sugar dissolves and cocoa incorporates to form a thin paste.
- Add the chocolate chips, half and half, and salt. Stir until chocolate chips have melted.
- Raise heat to medium and add the rest of the milk.
- Heat through to steaming and ladle into a mug.
- Top with favorite toppings if you like and enjoy.
Notes
To make this a peppermint drinking chocolate replace the sugar with my Homemade Peppermint Syrup.
To make a peppermint mocha, replace the sugar with Homemade Peppermint Syrup and add 2 shots of espresso.
I hope these recipes help you make the most of the season. And save a little cash in the process š
-Tara
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