^{This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dunkin’ Donuts®. The opinions and text are all mine.}

It’s beginning to look (and feel) a lot like the holidays up here in Lincolnville, Maine! We witnessed the season’s first snow flurry back in October, and this week’s weather forecast shows temperature lows potentially hitting below 20 degrees. I’m from Florida, and this is my first winter outside of a tropical climate, so I know nothing about shoveling, salting, or driving in the snow other than that I’m terrified of having to do it. Hence, in anticipation for imminent extreme weather conditions, Kyle and I are trying to become as self sufficient as we can without my trusty Jeep by cutting out extra trips to the store or coffee shop whenever possible. It’s been tough, too, since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and there’s lots of shopping, traveling, decorating, and cooking to prepare for.

Luckily, for me, Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee and its affordable caffeinated properties have always been a lifesaving solution for taming the holiday chaos running rampant in my head this time of year, so I’ve been stocking up every time I venture to Rockland for a Walmart run. Funnily enough, I was recently asked by Dunkin’ Donuts to create some fun seasonal tips for using their coffee products, so I decided to share this delicious, newly-perfected Peppermint Mocha recipe with y’all!

This recipe starts with a simple formula for homemade peppermint syrup. Instead of buying a giant bottle of over-priced, overly-sugared coffee syrup, here’s what you’ll need to make your own peppermint syrup (20 minute cook time; will yield enough syrup for around 16 Peppermint Mocha drinks):

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract

Before you start brewing any coffee, stir together the water and sugar in a small saucepan, bringing to a boil and stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to a low simmer and add the pure peppermint extract. Simmer for 20 minutes. When ready, the extra peppermint syrup can be securely stored (away from ants) for repeated use.

After you’ve made the peppermint syrup, here’s what you’ll need to make each individual Peppermint Mocha coffee drink (10 minute cook time; yields one serving):

• 3 tablespoons cocoa
• 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra strong Dunkin’ Donuts Original Blend coffee
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of homemade peppermint syrup (see above for recipe)
• 1 1/2 cups warm milk
• whipped cream
• peppermint crunch

To make a homemade Peppermint Mocha drink, start by brewing a small pot of extra strong Dunkin’ Donuts Original Blend coffee and warming up a few cups of milk by lowly simmering on the stove. Be careful not to bring milk to a boil. Then, in a large (and preferably festive) mug, mix 3 tablespoons of warm coffee with the 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder until you’ve created a creamy paste. Next, add the remaining 1/2 cup of extra strong coffee, followed by 1 1/2 teaspoons of peppermint syrup, and stir. Finally, pour in the warm milk and stir again. Generously spray some whip cream in your mug, top with peppermint crunch bits, and consume immediately!

As for flavor substitutions, I like to stick with Dunkin’ Donuts Original Blend, but you could also try spicing up your Peppermint Mocha with one of their holiday coffee blends, like Dunkin’ Donuts Mocha Mint. Head to Walmart to shop for all flavors of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee this Thanksgiving season and check out Ibotta for available coupons, like $1 off bagged Dunkin Donuts Coffee!!

So, even though Kyle and I may be trapped in our farmhouse loft on occasion this November, at least we’ll have delicious homemade Peppermint Mocha coffee drinks to sip on while we binge on Netflix shows. Next up on my coffee creation list? I want to bundle up in blankets and try making my own coffee ice cream! Fingers crossed it turns out as well as the homemade Peppermint Mocha!