The Holidays May Be Over, But My Peppermint Mocha Lives On

Even though the holiday season has just ended, I'm still savoring festive coffee flavors thanks to a thoughtful gift from Santa! He surprised me with the DREO Barista Maker Milk Frother, and I am obsessed. Naturally, the first thing I had to make was a lighter, low-sugar version of my favorite Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Latte.

To put it in perspective, a tall Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks contains 328 calories, 48 grams of carbs, and 33 grams of sugar-essentially a meal-sized portion of carbs in the smallest size. While delicious, I wanted something I could enjoy more regularly, not just as an occasional treat.

Peppermint mocha oatmilk latte espresso, Califia oat milk and mocha mix, crushed candy canes in jar

The DREO electric frother made it so easy to create a creamy, dreamy latte. One of its best features is the ability to customize the frothing settings based on the type of milk you're using. For those without an electric frother, a handheld frother is a fantastic and budget-friendly alternative. I added Califia Farms Peppermint Mocha Almond Milk Creamer directly into the Califia Farms Oat Barista Blend oat milk before frothing, which gave me a rich, velvety result. Oatly Oatmilk Barista Edition is another great option. Barista blends typically have a small amount of fat added for more optimal blending but regular oat milk is also ok to use. If the latte option isn't enough froth, there are other settings to select for even more. I added the finished froth mixture to a shot of espresso ready in my Le Creuset snowman mug.

The finished drink was a satisfying morning treat with just 22 grams of carbs and 10 grams of sugar-a significant improvement! While some might say this is still on the higher side, most of the carbs come from oat milk, which offers nutrients and fiber compared to sugar-heavy alternatives. I used 3 tablespoons of creamer for a perfectly balanced peppermint mocha flavor, but you could reduce it to 2 tablespoons if you prefer a lower sugar option.

For an even lower carb and sugar version, almond milk works beautifully. However, I stuck with oat milk for a creamier texture without the added calories of full-fat cow's milk. To complete the holiday coffeehouse vibe, I topped my latte with a dollop of light whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed candy cane. Other garnishes can include some snowman-shaped marshmallows seen here. It's like bringing a bit of festive magic into every sip!