Ginger Free Peppermint Cocoa Lemonade
This drink is a genuinely unexpected combination that somehow works beautifully — cool peppermint, rich cocoa, and bright citrus all in one sparkling glass. The homemade peppermint cocoa syrup is the star, built from maple syrup, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a touch of peppermint extract, so you know exactly what's going into it with zero mystery ingredients. Many flavored syrups and bottled drink mixes sneak in ginger or ginger-adjacent spices, but making your own from scratch puts you completely in control. Fresh lemon juice keeps the lemonade side tart and lively, while the sparkling water gives the whole thing a festive, effervescent lift. The technique of leaving the drink lightly streaked rather than fully stirred is a small detail that makes a big visual difference when you set it down in front of someone. Garnished with a mint sprig and a lemon slice, it looks like something from a fancy café menu but comes together in your own kitchen with minimal effort.
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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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