Chilled Peppermint Cocoa Snowball Drink
A refreshing icy chocolate beverage infused with peppermint and topped with whipped cream, perfect for winter festivities. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 15 minutes brings together unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, hot water for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 2, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1 cup cold milk
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
- 2 tbsp crushed peppermint candy
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 3 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup hot water until fully dissolved and smooth. Let cool to room temperature.
- Step 2: In a blender, combine the cooled cocoa mixture, 1 cup cold milk, 1/4 tsp peppermint extract, and 1 cup ice cubes. Blend on high for 30 seconds until frothy and slushy.
- Step 3: Pour the peppermint cocoa mixture into tall glasses. Top each glass with 1/4 cup whipped cream and sprinkle 1 tbsp crushed peppermint candy over the cream for a festive crunch.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chilled Peppermint Cocoa Snowball Drink take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Chilled Peppermint Cocoa Snowball Drink?
Refrigerate any leftover chilled peppermint cocoa snowball drink in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Peppermint Cocoa Snowball Drink?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chilled Peppermint Cocoa Snowball Drink for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chilled Peppermint Cocoa Snowball Drink?
General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
