Cool & Festive: How to Make a Vegan Peppermint Mocha Latte

There’s something undeniably magical about the combination of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint—it’s like a sip of winter wonderland! Now imagine that iconic duo in a cool, creamy iced latte you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. Whether curled by the fireplace or soaking up the sunshine, this Vegan Peppermint Mocha Latte is the perfect festive drink to usher in the holiday tidings.

vegan peppermint mocha latte - photo of coffee in plastic cup with marshmallow slices making a snowman on the inside of the cup

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Skip the coffee shop line and overpriced holiday drinks because this homemade version is not only dairy-free and vegan-friendly, but also quick, budget-friendly, and completely customizable! With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up this frosty delight in minutes—perfect for treating yourself or impressing guests at your next holiday gathering.

Now, you might be thinking, why an iced latte? While I tend to switch over to warm drinks as the cold weather hits but, lately I find myself getting overheated running errands or traipsing around the home getting the holiday decor laid out. So, inspired by my fall latte that featured a marshmallow ghost, I made a winter version, swapping the marshmallow ghosts for marshmallow snowmen.

Ready to make your holiday season a little sweeter (and cooler)? Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Dairy-free and cruelty-free.
Customizable for different tastes (make it sweeter, less minty, or extra chocolatey).
Perfect for cozy holiday vibes or a quick pick-me-up any time of year.
Adorable presentation that will definitely bring holiday cheer.

Looking for other holiday drinks? Check these out.

What You’ll Need to Make This Vegan Peppermint Mocha

The Peppermint Twist

As one of the main ingredients of peppermint mocha, I decided to add peppermint syrup to both the coffee and the cold foam. It was the perfect way to make sure the festivity was there with every sip.

a photo of peppermint coffee syrup used for this recipe.

The Chocolately Goodness

Usually, a peppermint mocha involves some sort of chocolate syrup but finding a vegan one can be tricky. While you could make your own, I opted for a quick and easy version using non-dairy chocolate milk instead. If you’re wondering if that was a delicious idea, it was. My partner has been asking for the decaf version almost every night since trying it.

The Marshmallow Snowman

In my opinion, the marshmallow snowmen are the best part of this festive latte. By simply cutting a regular-size marshmallow into 3 circles, you have all the components to make a snowman. Stack each marshmallow circle in the cup, pressing them to ensure they stick. Once the inside of your cup is decorated with snowmen, you can begin drawing your details on the outside of the cup with a sharpie. I added eyes, a nose and buttons but you can customize your snowman and give it your own spin should you choose.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

Vegan marshmallows
Peppermint Syrup
Coffee
Non-dairy chocolate milk
Non-dairy vanilla creamer
Ice

Supplies:

A glass or plastic cup
Black sharpie
Orange sharpie

Optional Add-ons:

Chopped peppermint candy for garnish
Coconut whipped cream
Vegan chocolate shavings

How to Make This Vegan Peppermint Mocha Latte

Step-by-Step Guide

Brew Your Coffee: Start with fresh, strong coffee or espresso and let it cool. I usually pop mine in the fridge for a bit.
Prepare Your Snowmen: Cut a regular-sized marshmallow into 3 making little circles. Place them in the plastic cup, stacking three circles to make a snowman by pressing against the cup. Then using the sharpies, draw eyes, buttons and nose on the outside of the cup (don’t worry, it can wipe off).
Prepare Cold Foam: Whisk together a non-dairy creamer of choice with peppermint syrup. I use a non-dairy vanilla creamer.
Combine: Add ice to your cup followed by the peppermint syrup. Next, add coffee, non-dairy chocolate milk and the peppermint cold foam on top.
Top It Off: Garnish with crushed peppermint candy, coconut whipped cream, or chocolate shavings.

Photo of a marshmallow cut into 3 circles

first marshmallow circle being added to the inside of the cup for the base of the snowman

Tips & Tricks

Sweetness: Adjust sweetness by adding more or less of the peppermint syrup.

Make It Creamier: Use barista-style oat milk creamer for a rich, frothy texture.

Pro Tip: Freeze leftover coffee in an ice cube tray to prevent your drink from getting watered down.

Variations

Hot Version: Swap the ice for a steaming mug for cozy winter vibes. If you have a clear glass mug, the snowman marshmallow decoration may still work. However, if you use a regular mug, you can gently place three marshmallow circles on top to make your snowman.

Decaf Option: I quit drinking coffee a few years ago but a decaffeinated coffee version is just as delicious!

Final Thoughts

I love making my favourite drinks with a festive spin so a peppermint mocha needed to be added to my list. Whether you make this drink hot or cold, it will certainly add to the holiday spirit and boost your energy for the rest of the day. If you’re looking for more holiday drinks, check out my Vegan Eggnog Matcha Latte, Toasted Marshmallow Matcha Latte, and Salted Caramel Cookie Butter Latte.

Get festive and enjoy this festive Vegan Peppermint Mocha – I’m sure you’ll love it. If you make it, please leave a comment below (it helps others to find the recipe). As always, please feel free to share your creations with me! Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest so that I can see your yummy versions!