Chicken Free Peppermint Cocoa Lemonade
This drink is proof that the most unexpected flavor combinations are often the most brilliant. A homemade peppermint cocoa syrup — built from maple syrup, cocoa powder, and a touch of peppermint extract — gets swirled into bright, citrusy sparkling lemonade for something that tastes like a cool summer day collided with a cozy winter mug. The whole thing is completely plant-based and built from pantry staples, so there's zero guesswork about what's in it. Straining the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve gives it a silky, polished finish that makes the final drink look as good as it tastes. Served over ice with sparkling water, it stays lightly streaked rather than fully blended, which means every sip hits a little differently. Garnish with a mint sprig and a lemon slice and it's instantly the most impressive thing on the table — no cooking experience required.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the peppermint cocoa syrup
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract
- 1 pinch fine salt
For the lemonade
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4 lemons)
- 3 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice
For serving
- 4 fresh mint sprigs (optional)
- 4 lemon slices (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, maple syrup, and cocoa powder in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until the cocoa is fully dissolved and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer, about 3–4 minutes.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the peppermint extract and salt. Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof container to remove any undissolved cocoa solids.
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