Nothing looks and smells more like the holiday season than peppermint everything, which replaces pumpkin everything this month. Here are eight local places to find satisfaction for that seasonal sweet tooth.
Photo courtesy BCB Rossmoyne
1. Sips and Sweets
BCB Enterprises operates two cafes in Mechanicsburg and New Cumberland. Both locations offer drive-through access to quality coffees and tasty baked goods. December seasonal drinks will be a peppermint mocha, eggnog latte, and gingerbread latte. Peppermint and espresso bark will also be offered among other treats.
Brew Cumberland’s Best and BCB Rossmoyne / New Cumberland and Mechanicsburg, PA / bcbcoffee.com
Photo courtesy Brittle Bark
2. Sweet Gifts
This Main Street, Mechanicsburg, mainstay is nationwide now but beloved by locals for its humble beginnings: a single mom looking to create a successful bake sale treat. Brittle Bark was born in 2003 with a perfected peanut brittle recipe (it’s to die for), and the company now makes many kinds of candies, including its signature peppermint bark, which is packaged and ready for gift giving.
Brittle Bark / Mechanicsburg, PA / brittlebark.com
Photo courtesy Aurora's
3. Mint Meets Cannoli and Cupcakes
Recently opened, Aurora’s Bakery in York is run by a Mexican immigrant who creates a fusion of cultures with his bakery’s goods. For the holiday season, enjoy peppermint cupcakes, peppermint cannoli, cream filled quesitos, sweet bread, and more.
Aurora’s / York, PA / facebook.com/aurorasbakeryyork
Photo courtesy The Green Bean Roasting Co.
4. Minted Vanilla Chai
A soothing blend of vanilla, black tea, honey, and spice with a splash of invigorating peppermint. Topped with homemade vanilla whipped cream and peppermint drizzle, this warm handheld beverage mixes the flavors of wintertime in a cuppa tea.
The Green Bean Roasting Co. / York, PA / facebook.com/greenbeanroasting
5. Candy Cane Caffeine
Take Five Expresso Bar is located inside York’s Central Market. Their holiday specials include a dirty snowball latte with chocolate and coconut, a candy cane latte with peppermint and vanilla, and a berries in the snow latte with white chocolate and raspberry syrup. Additionally, Take Five offers coffee beans in several holiday flavors.
Take 5 Expresso Bar / York, PA / facebook.com/takefiveexpressobar
6. Festive Fun
Fa-la-la-la Lattes are all the rage this December at Mean Cup in Lancaster. These include White Christmas (peppermint white chocolate mocha), Gingerbread Boy, and Foggy Flight (peppermint and London fog). Mean Cup also offers marshmallows instead of whipped cream on hot cocoa throughout the holiday season.
Mean Cup / Lancaster, PA / meancup.com
7. Homemade with Love
Copper Cup Coffee makes custom coffee specially chosen for the cafes. Available hot, iced, or blended, the white chocolate peppermint latte with homemade sauces and syrups will be one of its December choices. Among other options are a cranberry scone blondie, teas, milkshakes, muffins, salads, and sandwiches.
Copper Cup Coffee / Lancaster and Lititz, PA / coppercup.co
