Pistachio Free Peppermint Cocoa Lemonade
This drink sounds like it shouldn't work — chocolate, peppermint, and lemon in the same glass — but somehow it absolutely does. The homemade cocoa-peppermint syrup is the secret weapon here, built from maple syrup, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a touch of peppermint extract simmered together into something rich and aromatic. Straining it through a fine-mesh sieve gives you a silky, lump-free base that plays beautifully against the bright acidity of fresh lemon juice. When the sparkling water hits the glass, you get this gorgeous, lightly streaked swirl that looks as dramatic as it tastes. Every ingredient in this recipe is naturally free from tree nuts, so there's no label-scanning or substitution stress involved — just straightforward, bold flavors. Serve it over ice with a mint sprig and a lemon wheel and it's instantly the most interesting thing on the table.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!