It's Official!

Christmas season has begun! It's official because I saw it on Facebook, and of course, we know that everything on Facebook is true. Well, at any rate, it IS true that Starbucks has begun serving their Christmas drinks (you know... gingerbread latte, eggnog latte, and the overwhelming favorite, peppermint mocha), and it IS true that they posted it on Facebook, and it IS true that Christmas season is here. Why else would I be listening to Christmas music, I ask you?

So to help you kick off the Christmas season, I bring you: Peppermint Mocha. No reason to spend half your Christmas shopping budget on the sweet treat at Starbucks when you can make it yourself for a fraction of the cost.

Cheap Peppermint Mocha
2 individual peppermint hot chocolate pods
3/4 cup brewed coffee
3/4 cup milk
2 peppermint candies, divided
whipped cream, optional

In a small saucepan over medium high heat, melt the hot chocolate pods in the coffee and milk. Crush the peppermint candies and melt half in the mocha mixture. When chocolate is completely melted and mocha is hot, pour into a cup and top with whipping cream and the remainder of the crushed peppermint.

That was super QUICK: at least as quick as getting it from Starbucks!

Super EASY, too, what with the hot chocolate pods and the peppermint flavoring already in them.

Waaaaaaay CHEAPer than Starbucks, that is for sure. It's even cheaper than McDonald's mocha!

It's HEALTHY-er than buying it at Starbucks or another coffee shop, since they usually use syrups with artificial flavoring and fake whipped cream. Nothing fake here, although you definitely have to consider the calorie count - it's definitely a treat you need to consider in your daily calorie consumption.