Tree Nut Free Peppermint Cocoa Lemonade
Peppermint cocoa meets bright, zippy lemonade in one of the most unexpected flavor combinations you'll ever sip — and somehow it completely works. The homemade peppermint cocoa syrup is built from maple syrup, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a touch of peppermint extract, so you know exactly what's going into your glass with zero mystery additives. Many store-bought flavored syrups and cocoa mixes sneak in almond or hazelnut derivatives, but this one is made entirely from scratch on your stovetop in just a few minutes. Straining the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve gives it a silky, smooth texture that blends beautifully with the fresh lemon juice and sparkling water. The trick is to stir it just enough to leave those gorgeous dark streaks swirling through the bubbles — it looks as stunning as it tastes. Serve it over ice with a mint sprig and a lemon slice and it's honestly impressive enough for a dinner party, but easy enough for a random Tuesday afternoon.
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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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