Not going to lie: I love the winter holiday season, and a lot of that love has to do with food. As such, I was pleasantly surprised to discover this morning that the McDonald’s McCafe Peppermint Mocha is back for 2016 — a discovery that also prompted me to ask exactly when I can get a McCafe Peppermint Mocha. If you, too, are like me, we’ll both want to embrace the holiday season while we can, because this minty treat won’t be around for long.
The McCafe Peppermint Mocha is made from 100 percent Arabica bean espresso, dark chocolate syrup, peppermint, and steamed milk; it’s also topped with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle, because, well, what’s a holiday drink without all the trimmings? It first made its debut in 2011, making this year its sixth outing — and hey, if mocha isn’t your thing, you can go for a straight-up Peppermint Hot Chocolate instead. All’s fair in love and peppermint. Or… something.
But back to our original question: When is it available? Well, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that the McCafe Peppermint Mocha is available right now — Nov. 2 (that’s today!) marks the drink’s return to coffee cups everywhere. The bad news, though, is that — like all things holiday-related — it’s only going to be around for a limited time. The exact dates will vary depending on your location, but the McCafe Peppermint Mocha will generally be around until about mid-January. That gives you a little over two months to go get your holiday spirit on — and hey, at least it might help us get through the post-New Year’s slump, too.
What’s more, even though this particular holiday treat may only be around for a short while (not unlike its Starbucks counterpart), there will still be plenty of festive fun to be had afterwards, too. March, after all, follows pretty closely behind — and with it heralds the arrival of that other minty delight, the Shamrock Shake. I realize I’m a little bit biased, as my birthday is actually on St. Patrick’s Day, but I might even like Shamrock Shakes even more than I like Peppermint Mochas. I mean… they’re green. That’s just fun.
In any event, the McCafe Peppermint Mocha will set you back about $2.99 for a medium, depending on the market. Head on down to your local McD’s and grab one while you can!
Images: McDonald's; Giphy
