Ingredients
- 2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Green food coloring (a few drops)
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Crushed candy canes, for garnish
- Red heart sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
This festive hot cocoa is designed to be rich, smooth, and brightly colored, capturing the playful holiday charm of a classic Grinch-inspired drink. The combination of white chocolate and peppermint creates a creamy, sweet base that takes on a vibrant green hue, making it perfect for seasonal celebrations. Preparing it on the stovetop allows the ingredients to warm gradually and melt evenly, resulting in a silky texture without scorching the milk or overheating the chocolate.
- Heat the milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Warm it slowly, allowing steam to rise but ensuring it does not come to a boil. Gentle heating prevents the milk from scalding on the bottom of the pan and creates a smooth, consistent base for the cocoa.
- Add the white chocolate chips to the hot milk. Stir continuously with a heat-safe spatula or whisk until the chips melt completely and blend into the milk. The mixture should become creamy and slightly thicker as the chocolate fully incorporates.
- Stir in the peppermint extract, which will immediately add a cool, refreshing aroma. Add several drops of green food coloring and mix well until the color is evenly distributed. Adjust the amount of coloring as needed to reach the desired bright holiday green.
- Pour the finished cocoa into a heatproof mug, filling it nearly to the top. The drink should appear smooth, glossy, and vibrantly green.
- Generously top the cocoa with whipped cream, allowing it to form a soft, cloud-like peak over the warm drink.
- Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the whipped cream for added flavor and festive texture. Add red heart sprinkles if desired to enhance the themed look.
- Serve immediately while hot so the whipped cream melts slightly into the cocoa and the flavors remain at their richest.
