Spice Free Peppermint Cocoa Agua Fresca

Total time45 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

4.8

(23)

Cool, refreshing, and surprisingly sophisticated, this drink bridges the gap between a classic Mexican agua fresca and a chocolate mint treat you'd crave on a hot afternoon. The base is built from unsweetened cocoa powder, maple syrup, and fresh peppermint leaves — nothing more, nothing less — so every sip is clean and naturally flavored without any hidden blends or seasoning mixes that could sneak in unwanted heat or spice. Steeping the fresh mint leaves directly in the warm cocoa mixture is the move that makes this work, coaxing out a bright, herbal flavor that feels lively rather than medicinal. A fine-mesh strainer keeps the final drink silky smooth, and once it's chilled and poured over ice, it looks genuinely stunning in the glass. It's a great option when you need something crowd-pleasing but completely free of any peppery or spiced notes — the only "kick" here is the cool tingle of real mint. Serve it at a summer gathering or keep a pitcher in the fridge for yourself; either way, it disappears fast.

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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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