Nutmeg Free Peppermint Cocoa Agua Fresca
Cool, refreshing, and just a little indulgent, this peppermint cocoa agua fresca is the kind of drink that surprises you in the best way. It starts with a quick stovetop bloom of unsweetened cocoa powder and maple syrup, which gives the whole thing a deep, chocolatey backbone without any heaviness. Fresh peppermint leaves steep right into the warm cocoa base, infusing every sip with a bright, herbal lift that plays beautifully against the rich cocoa. The whole mixture gets strained, diluted with cold water, and chilled until it's perfectly refreshing — simple technique, genuinely impressive results. Warm spices like nutmeg are nowhere near this recipe, so anyone avoiding them can drink up without a second thought. Serve it over ice with a sprig of fresh mint and it looks as good as it tastes — effortlessly elegant for a backyard gathering or a quiet afternoon treat.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cups cold water, divided
- 8 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ cup fresh peppermint leaves, loosely packed
- ⅛ tsp fine sea salt
For serving
- ice cubes, for serving
- 4 fresh peppermint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine 1 cup of the cold water with the cocoa powder and maple syrup in a small saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until the cocoa is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth and just beginning to steam, about 3–4 minutes — do not let it boil.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the peppermint leaves and fine sea salt, stir once to submerge the leaves, and let steep for 10 minutes.
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