My motive for this drink…get rid of a few candy cane….. And maybe make a little kid happy, but that was just a bonus... I would have made him drink this even if he didn't like it. (I am awful like that)
I have noticed lately people are really into peppermint in their hot drinks and I have an excess of candy canes in my house, so this was the perfect drink to make. I was initially just going to make hot peppermint milk but added the cocoa for an extra treat. If you want, omit the cocoa and just make peppermint milk.. Or you might want to replace 1/2 the milk and add coffee! Or for those adults out there..maybe add a spash of vodka.. my version of .a hot black and white peppermint Russian(I just made that a thing)
A little advise ….check the temperature of the drink if you are giving it to a kid..What I thought was not too hot turned out to be a too hot. My little niece took a big gulp, and instantly sprayed the drink all over the kitchen and my clean hat, scarf and mittens… and then proceeded to cry….Hot chocolate is supposed to make the kids happy….so yeah...
All you need is a cup of milk(cow, soy, rice..whatever) a tablespoon of cocoa powder, a tiny pinch of salt and a candy cane. We don't need to add any extra sugar because the candy cane is sugar.
Peel plastic off candy cane and place in a baggy and smash with something hard (rolling pin worked great)
Stick all ingredients into a pot on medium heat and whisk until the candy cane is melted and the milk is as hot as you like it.
It you want(we did) top with a dollop of whipped cream(or whipped coconut cream) and sprinkle with a little more crushed candy cane…..Best served after a long afternoon of playing in the snow!
Go for it, watch your tongue and enjoy!
Ingredients (Makes one serving)
- 1 normal sized candy cane
- 1 tablespoon powdered cocoa
- 1 1/4 cup of milk(cow, soy, rice, hemp…what ever milk you want)
- pinch of salt
Place unwrapped candy cane in baggy and smash. Place all but a sprinkle of the candy cane, the milk, and the cocoa in pot on medium heat and whisk until candy cane is fully melted and the cocoa is you preferred temperature.
Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with crushed candy cane.