Iced Peppermint Mocha: Candy Cane Season Served Cold
$5.95 – 310 Calories
$6.65 – 420 Calories
$7.25 – 560 Calories
Candy cane season, served cold. The Iced Peppermint Mocha layers espresso, bittersweet mocha sauce, and peppermint syrup over ice and milk, finished with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls. It is the iced twin of the most famous holiday drink Starbucks makes, and every winter it quietly outsells the hot version in warm states. A Grande carries about 175 mg of caffeine under all that chocolate, so do not let the dessert costume fool you: this is a real coffee drink wearing a Santa hat.
Iced Peppermint Mocha Quick Facts (2026)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Drink Type | Iced espresso drink (seasonal) |
| Espresso | Signature Roast (2 shots in Grande) |
| Flavors | Mocha sauce + peppermint syrup |
| Topping | Whipped cream + dark chocolate curls |
| Season | November through early January |
| Caffeine (Grande) | About 175 mg |
| Calories (Grande) | 420 calories |
| Price Range 2026 | $5.95 to $7.25 |
What Is the Starbucks Iced Peppermint Mocha?
Take an Iced Caffe Mocha, add peppermint syrup, and crown it with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls: that is the whole recipe, and it works because peppermint sharpens chocolate the way salt sharpens caramel. The espresso stays genuinely present under the candy flavors, which separates this from milkshake territory.
It is a headline member of the holiday lineup, arriving with the red cups in early November and disappearing in January. Off-season, any barista can rebuild it: iced mocha plus peppermint syrup gets you 95 percent there, minus the chocolate curls.
Iced Peppermint Mocha Price 2026 (All Sizes)
| Size | Volume | Shots | Price 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tall | 12 fl oz | 1 shot | $5.95 |
| Grande | 16 fl oz | 2 shots | $6.65 |
| Venti | 24 fl oz | 3 shots | $7.25 |
What Affects Pricing?
- Holiday drinks carry a 40 to 60 cent premium over the standard iced mocha
- The iced Venti gets a third shot, unlike the hot version
- No whip is free; extra chocolate curls usually are too if you ask
Iced Peppermint Mocha Calories by Size
| Size | Calories | Sugar |
|---|---|---|
| Tall (12 oz) | 310 calories | 39 g |
| Grande (16 oz) | 420 calories | 54 g |
| Venti (24 oz) | 560 calories | 72 g |
These are dessert numbers, and the fixes are real: no whip saves about 70 calories, nonfat milk another 50, and half the pumps drops 10-plus grams of sugar.
Iced Peppermint Mocha Nutrition Facts (Grande)
| Nutrient | Amount (Grande) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 |
| Total Fat | 16 g |
| Saturated Fat | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 63 g |
| Sugar | 54 g |
| Protein | 10 g |
| Sodium | 160 mg |
| Caffeine | 175 mg |
Iced Peppermint Mocha Caffeine Content
| Size | Shots | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Tall | 1 | About 90 mg |
| Grande | 2 | About 175 mg |
| Venti | 3 | About 260 mg |
The mocha sauce contributes a little caffeine on top of the shots, which is why mochas edge out plain lattes at every size.
Iced Peppermint Mocha Ingredients
Core Ingredients
- Signature espresso (1 to 3 shots by size)
- Mocha sauce and peppermint syrup
- 2% milk and ice
- Whipped cream and dark chocolate curls
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (milk, whip, and milk in the chocolate curls). Plant milks swap free and skipping whip removes most residual dairy, though the mocha sauce itself is dairy-free at Starbucks. Gluten-free as built; shared equipment caveats apply.
Flavor Profile and Taste Review
Cold chocolate first, then the peppermint arrives like a breeze, then espresso grounds the finish. The iced version tastes brighter and less heavy than the hot one because the chill mutes sweetness, which is exactly why warm-state regulars prefer it. The chocolate curls slowly soften into the whip, and fishing them out with the straw is a legitimate part of the experience.
Who Will Love It
- Chocolate-mint people; this is their national holiday
- Anyone who finds the hot Peppermint Mocha too rich
- December regulars who want the red cup energy over ice
Who Might Not Like It
- Sugar watchers; 54 g in a Grande is candy-bar territory
- Mint skeptics; the peppermint is assertive, not subtle
- Anyone wanting coffee-forward; try the shaken espressos instead
Is the Iced Peppermint Mocha Worth It in 2026?
As a seasonal treat, completely: it is the definitive taste of Starbucks December and the iced build is arguably better than the famous hot one. As a habit, the math is rough at $6.65 and 420 calories. The regulars’ compromise is the skinny build (no whip, nonfat, half pumps) at around 250 calories, or saving it for red cup season and drinking the plain iced mocha the rest of the year.
Iced Peppermint Mocha vs Hot Peppermint Mocha vs Iced Caffe Mocha
| Feature | Iced Peppermint Mocha | Hot Peppermint Mocha | Iced Caffe Mocha |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Iced | Hot | Iced |
| Calories (Grande) | 420 | 440 | 350 |
| Caffeine (Grande) | 175 mg | 175 mg | 175 mg |
| Availability | Holiday season | Holiday season | Year-round |
| Price (Grande) | $6.65 | $6.45 | $5.45 |
Iced vs Hot Peppermint Mocha
Same recipe, different physics: ice mutes sweetness and sharpens the mint, so the iced version tastes cleaner while the hot one tastes richer. Cold-state December mornings argue for hot; everywhere else, iced wins more fans every year.
Worth the dollar over the plain Iced Mocha?
If you love mint, yes, once the curls and seasonal energy count. If you are lukewarm on peppermint, add a single pump of peppermint to a regular Iced Caffe Mocha for $0.80 and pocket the difference.
How to Order an Iced Peppermint Mocha
In-Store Order
In season: “Grande Iced Peppermint Mocha.” Off-season: “Iced Caffe Mocha with peppermint syrup,” which any store can make whenever peppermint is in stock (usually year-round).
Mobile App Tips
It appears under Seasonal or Iced Mochas during the holidays with full pump and whip controls. The app is also how you find out day one that the holiday menu has dropped.
Best Customizations (Popular Orders 2026)
The Skinny Peppermint Mocha
Nonfat milk, no whip, sugar-free peppermint where stocked: about 220 calories and the closest thing to guilt-free candy cane.
The White Peppermint
Swap mocha for white chocolate mocha sauce, the sweeter cult variant that predates half of TikTok.
The Half-Pump Build
Two mocha, one peppermint instead of the standard pump army: chocolate leads, mint whispers, sugar drops by a third.
The Affogato Finish
Shots poured over the top instead of mixed: the first sips turn intensely coffee-forward before fading into candy.
Is the Iced Peppermint Mocha Healthy?
Pros
- Real espresso and 10 g of protein hide under the dessert
- Highly customizable downward: 200-calorie builds are easy
Cons
- 54 g of sugar standard in a Grande
- 10 g saturated fat with whip
- Seasonal scarcity encourages daily-habit December spirals
Ways to Make It Healthier
- No whip, nonfat or almondmilk
- Half the syrup pumps
- Tall size: the full experience at 310 calories
Best Food Pairings
It IS dessert, so pair savory: the Turkey Bacon sandwich or Bacon Gouda from the breakfast menu balance it, and the Cranberry Bliss Bar next to it is a full holiday party (split both with someone).
How to Make an Iced Peppermint Mocha at Home
DIY Recipe
- Brew 2 shots of espresso or 3 oz strong coffee; cool briefly
- Stir in 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup and half a teaspoon peppermint extract syrup
- Fill a glass with ice, add the coffee mix, top with milk
- Whipped cream and shaved dark chocolate to finish
About 90 cents a glass, and crushed candy cane on the whip beats the store topping.
Customer Favorites and Feedback
The Peppermint Mocha family is the longest-running holiday flavor Starbucks has (since 2002), and the iced build owns the Sun Belt: Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California drink it all season. Praise centers on the chocolate curls and the mint-cold synergy; complaints are the sugar load and January withdrawal, which the year-round custom build solves quietly.
How to Save Money on the Iced Peppermint Mocha
- Iced mocha plus one peppermint pump saves about a dollar year-round
- Tall over Grande: full flavor, $0.70 less, 110 fewer calories
- Holiday BOGO Happy Hour events cluster in December
- More in the savings guide
FAQs About the Iced Peppermint Mocha
When is the Iced Peppermint Mocha available?
Officially early November through early January with the holiday menu. The custom rebuild works year-round wherever peppermint syrup is stocked.
How much caffeine does it have?
About 90 mg Tall, 175 mg Grande, 260 mg Venti; the iced Venti carries a third shot the hot version lacks.
How many calories in a Grande?
About 420 standard; no whip and nonfat milk lands near 270, and half pumps go lower still.
Is there a white chocolate version?
Yes, the Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha, sweeter and about 40 calories heavier, also seasonal.
Can I get it decaf?
Fully: decaf or half-caf shots swap free, making it a legitimate evening dessert drink.
Iced or hot: which is better?
Taste-wise the iced runs brighter and less sweet; the hot is cozier. The correct answer is whichever matches the weather outside.
Final Verdict
The Iced Peppermint Mocha is peak seasonal Starbucks: unapologetic, delicious, and better cold than its famous hot twin. Drink it properly in December, learn the custom rebuild for July cravings, and use the skinny build when the numbers matter. The rest of the chocolate lineup lives on the Mocha menu and Cold Coffee menu.
