Lupin Free Peppermint Cocoa Lemonade
This drink is the kind of unexpected combination that sounds wild until you actually taste it — and then you wonder why you haven't been making it all summer. The homemade peppermint cocoa syrup is the real star here, built from maple syrup, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a touch of peppermint extract, then strained smooth and chilled before it hits the glass. Fresh lemon juice and sparkling water bring the brightness that cuts right through the richness of the cocoa, creating something that's simultaneously refreshing and indulgent. Because everything is made from scratch with straightforward pantry ingredients, there's no guesswork about what's actually in your glass — no flour-based additives, no mystery thickeners, just clean, simple components. The lightly streaked pour is intentional, keeping the flavors distinct so each sip delivers a little something different. Garnished with a mint sprig and a lemon slice, it looks genuinely impressive for something that comes together so easily.
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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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