Make This 4-Ingredient Holiday Drink That Stands Toe-To-Toe With Dutch Bros

It's the holiday drink that fans went so gaga for that they took to social media with their own recreations and variations en masse. We're talking about Dutch Bros' candy cane chocolate milk. If you'd like to save time and money from outsourcing this gem and instead whip it up at home, the combo is simple.

As the name implies, the fundamental drink starts with a short list of four basic ingredients: chocolate milk, peppermint syrup (or extract), peppermint cold foam, and ice. For the richest and creamiest experience, consider opting for whole chocolate milk or at least 2%, with one social media user sharing that she had requested 2% when ordering from Dutch Bros, and it made her drink thick and delicious.

To make your drink, pour peppermint extract over your glasses half-filled with ice, then add your chocolate milk and stir. You'll already have a powerful peppermint punch that delivers the hype of Christmas in a cup, but circle some peppermint cold foam over the top of your drink and your taste buds are in for a layered flavor that's part holiday nostalgia and part cozy, creamy sweetness. You can then go wild with toppings, like rimming your glass with crushed shavings of peppermint sticks or sprinkling them on top of your drink.

If you're looking for a caffeinated version of the candy cane chocolate milk, that's an easy drink to make at home, too. Upgrading to a candy cane chocolate mocha calls for another short list, including chocolate milk, a few pumps of peppermint syrup (or sauce), a couple of shots of espresso, and ice. Mix everything before adding ice and, like the candy cane chocolate milk, add toppings to taste. One Instagram user suggested a soft top of heavy cream, made by using a hand frother, and said, "Mix for a good four minutes to get that good consistency."

If what your holidays call for is a nice hot beverage, a candy cane hot cocoa is another option to consider trying at home. A swap to even richer milk, like half and half, can turn a good hot cocoa into something great, so consider that upgrade before heating your milk, stirring in your chosen hot cocoa mix, then pumping in a peppermint syrup to taste. In the case of hot chocolate, using peppermint syrup over peppermint extract seems to be social media's consensus on the best way to go for a smoother, less pungent peppermint flavor. As with all your drink options, don't forget to sprinkle shaved peppermint bits for a finished holiday garnish.