Blame it on a warmer-than-usual fall (and predictions for a warmer winter). Or that iced drinks have become a year-round preference for most of us. Either way, there's one holiday drink trend emerging this season, and it's served slushy-style: frozen hot chocolate.
New York's Serendipity 3 made it famous, and this year, Panera and Jamba have followed suit. Now, Starbucks is entering the mix with its own take on the drink—but you can only find it at cafés within Target stores.
The Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate isn't just a Peppermint Mocha without the espresso. The drink starts with a layer of red-and-green-sprinkle-speckled, peppermint-flavored whipped cream, which is topped with a mocha sauce-infused creme Frappuccino base. Then, it's crowned with another layer of peppermint whipped cream and festive sprinkles, effectively sandwiching the chocolate-y core.
Out of curiosity—and because I needed to pick up paper plates and premade gravy for my son's Friendsgiving at school—I headed to my nearest Target to try it firsthand.
While the bottom layer of sprinkles don't really add anything to the drink—I didn't notice they were there, to be honest—the dual layers of whipped cream are a fantastic touch. It adds a creamy, silky texture that makes the drink taste less icy overall and tempers the bitterness of the mocha syrup, so it's more chocolate-y.
It also softened the peppermint, creating a refreshing finish that's a bit more subtle than the typical Peppermint Mocha.
The drink comes just weeks after Starbucks launched its holiday menu—along with a Bearista cup that sold out almost immediately, inspiring countless DIYs, dupes and pleas for a restock. And while the combination of peppermint and chocolate may feel as groundbreaking as pumpkin spice in autumn, the brands say they arrived at the mint-infused take on frozen hot chocolate as a way to highlight the it flavors of the season—and provide a sneak peek into the bullseye brand's own in-store treats, like the Peppermint Dark Chocolate Mini Waffle Cones and Peppermint Latte Hot Cocoa Bombs.
So, should you try it? If you're into Frappuccinos, absolutely. The Peppermint Frozen Hot Chocolate is just the kind of seasonal lil' treat to reward yourself with as you wander the aisles of the mega retailer—and brave the lines at the checkout this holiday season. (Though, pro tip: If you want to avoid those lines altogether, place a drive-up order using the Target app and add the drink to your order when you arrive.)
As if you needed an excuse to go on a Target run, honestly.
