Hot Schnocolate

Our answer

Nigella's Hot Schnocolate (from Christmas and on the Nigella website) contains peppermint schnapps, though is equally as good without. If you are looking for the schnapps then you may be able to buy it on-line (look for the deKuyper or Rumpel Minze brands). Smirnoff have a seasonal vodka out at the moment called "peppermint twist", which could be an alternative, though again it may be difficult to find in stores.

Otherwise we would suggest trying creme de menthe as a more easily available alternative, though it is less alcoholic. You should be able to buy this in good liquor stores, off licences and some supermarkets. If you can, buy the colourless version, but if you can only get the green type this should still be fine as the flavour is the same and the green colour is unlikely to affect the colour of the hot chocolate. For a non-alcoholic version try using Monin's Frosted Mint syrup or a drop or two of peppermint extract, though go gently with the extract so that you don't get a "toothpaste" effect.