If you’re anything like me, you are excited for the holiday season because of all things peppermint! Peppermint chocolate, peppermint truffles, peppermint cookies, peppermint squares, Starbucks peppermint mocha lattes… the list goes on! As a nutritionist, I’m often conscious about the nutritional value of the foods I’m eating, and that includes fancy lattes from places like Starbucks. Can you believe there are 54 grams of sugar in a glassic grande peppermint mocha latte from Starbucks? Brutal. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams per day…
Here’s a recipe for a much better-for-you, sugar-free peppermint mocha latte.
Since following my anti-candida protocol, my taste buds have forgotten how intense sugar actually is. I find that I can add far less sugar than I did before in order to achieve the sweetness level that I like. This was one my favourite things about following the anti-candida diet for 6 weeks, and is a benefit that should last as long as I’m mindful of my sugar consumption. It’s amazing how your palate can change, and naturally sweetened fruit now taste like decadent dessert.
But I digress…
This latte recipe is a go-to when I’m looking for that chocolate-peppermint fix with a little bit of caffeine. Although I usually choose decaf coffee (because caffeine isn’t good for the adrenals and I tend to get anxious), there is still some caffeine in decaffeinated coffee. So I try to be mindful of choosing decaf as often as I can to avoid the jitters.
I also love to add collagen and coconut oil into my lattes. Here’s why…
Coconut oil makes it creamy and delicious, and collagen helps to make it frothy when it’s blended up. Coconut oil is a healthy fat that contains medium-chain triglycerides. These healthy fats can act as quick energy without going to the liver first to be broken down. Plus adding healthy fat also makes the latte a little more substantial than just liquid.
Collagen is like a protein powder, with amino acids that are great for our connective tissue (think skin, hair, nails…and collagen!). It also helps to make the drink more substantial, and is a great way to support our gut health!
But of course, these boosters are entirely optional. And if you really wanted to go crazy, you could add some adaptogens for adrenal support (think ashwagandha) or overall women’s hormones support (think maca).
Really, all you need is a good base to build off of. For this drink, use a deliciously creamy milk substitute (here’s why I don’t do dairy often), a good espresso or strong coffee, cacao powder, and peppermint extract.
Okay, I’m done rambling now. Here’s the recipe for a healthy peppermint mocha latte.
- 1 cup coconut milk, warmed (I used Silk brand boxed coconut milk)
- ½ cup strong coffee or espresso shot
- 1 tbsp coconut oil (optional!)
- 1 tbsp collagen
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract (less if you don’t like it super minty)
- 6 drops liquid stevia
- 1 tsp coconut sugar
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend at high speed for that froth!
- To make a WHITE chocolate peppermint mocha: omit the cacao powder and coconut oil and replace with 1-2 tbsp cacao butter
- To garnish: add some whipped coconut cream, chocolate shavings or crushed peppermint candy (this is likely not sugar-free).
