when the winter chill sets in and we collectively bundle up under layers of sweaters, parkas, scarves, & hats, nothing is more satisfying than a cozy beverage. one of our favorite memories over the years of running a café is serving up hot cocoa to grateful shoppers, passer-bys, and regulars alike. afterall, what encapsulates the holiday season more than a mug of hot chocolate!

though we love a classic hot cocoa, we also love experimenting with inventive flavors like lavender or peppermint. if you’re looking for a fresh holiday spin on the classic sweet treat, you’ll love our recipe for vanilla mint matcha hot cocoa. velvety omanhene cocoa powder, peppermint extract, and vanilla bean are layered together with a shot of matcha to create a balanced and flavorful winter beverage.

this syrup forms the base of our vanilla mint matcha hot cocoa here in the café, but tastes just as lovely on its own in steamed milk, with a shot of espresso, or even as an ice cream topping. don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment! 

make a quart of the syrup ahead of time when a chocolate craving strikes or batch into mini mason jars for an extra sweet diy gift. trust us, you’ll be the mvp of your friend group. merci to our beverage director, Caitlin Burke, for so graciously sharing the recipe with us.

vanilla mint hot cocoa recipe

recipe makes 1 quart (32 oz), shelf life 1 week

for the syrup:

-700g omanhene cocoa powder

-400g hot water

-2 1⁄2 teaspoons peppermint pure extract

-2 teaspoons vanilla paste

for the drink:

-1 level scoop of matcha powder

-2 oz hot water

-8 oz milk of choice

-3 oz syrup

make the syrup:

combine your cocoa powder and hot water in a medium size mixing bowl. whisk to fully dissolve all lumps. stir in your peppermint extract and vanilla paste until combined. with a rubber spatula, transfer the syrup to a quart container and let cool. 

make the drink:

to make the hot cocoa, bring 6 oz of milk to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. add the syrup to the pot and whisk to combine. to make the matcha shot, add matcha powder and hot water to a small bowl and whisk until no lumps remain. add matcha to your cocoa mixture and stir to combine. ladle into a mug, serve, and enjoy!