Where to Get a Great Peppermint Mocha

It’s the day beforeThanksgiving and I haven’t baked or cooked a thing.  But I managed to do some errands in downtown Fredericksburg (VA) and decided to stop at Mocha Mo’s Cafe for the first time.  It’s located about a block from the train station, so I’m guessing that’s where most of their business is generated since they open at 4:45 a.m. (I was one of only two patrons around 4:30 this afternoon).  Mocha Mo’s is a quaint little coffee shop, offering the typical beverage and baked goods selections.  I decided I should definitely get some sort of mocha since the name of the place has "mocha" in it.  I ordered a small peppermint mocha with whipped cream and took it to go.  Well, it’s a decent mocha, but definitely not my favorite for a peppermint mocha.  The mint is very, very subtle and I prefer it to be more pronounced.  But I’m sure I will return, especially if I’m taking the train and need a caffeine boost.  (I wish they would have mentioned their "Mocha Mo’s Card" when I was there.  Read about it on their home page.)

In the past couple of weeks I have had a peppermint mocha at two other places, both national chains, Starbucks and Caribou Coffee.  Even though Caribou is now melting Guittard chocolate for their chocolate beverages (which seem to take longer to make than before) there was something very "chemical" tasting about the dark chocolate peppermint mocha I had.  I actually dumped it down the sink when I got home.  Pretty sad for a beverage that is $4-$5.  I don’t know if it is because it was dark chocolate (which I love), or because I got it iced, or the peppermint flavoring they used, but it just didn’t work for me.  Starbucks’ peppermint mocha was completely different.  While it touches on perhaps being TOO sweet, I did enjoy the balance of coffee, chocolate, and mint.  Next time I’ll ask if there’s a way to lighten up on the sugar, but otherwise I was happy with it.

I do love supporting locally owned coffee shops, so I’ll be checking out the peppermint mocha offerings soon at Hyperion, Keystone Coffee (both in Fredericksburg, VA), Deja Brew (Gainesville, VA), and wherever else I find it during the holiday season.  If you come across one that’s especially yummy, let me know!