The holiday season is, without a doubt, my favorite time of year. One of my fondest memories is caroling with my sisters and our close friend. We’d spend hours rehearsing an elaborate routine with customized lyrics and dance moves, before walking house to house in the bitter cold to perform it. However, the festivities afterwards were even better. Once the caroling commenced, we warmed up with hot cocoa, cookies, and peppermint bark.
Although our caroling days are less frequent, peppermint bark continues to be a holiday staple for me, finding its way into my shopping cart without fail as soon as it hits shelves in early November. So, when I heard that popular beverage brand Recess is releasing a new product inspired by the classic candy, I jumped at the opportunity to give it a try.
My Honest Review of Recess Peppermint Bark ‘Tini
Allrecipes / Recess
I’ve been a fan of Recess for a while now, especially since I don’t drink alcohol but love a fancy beverage to cap off my evenings. The brand built a reputation for offering a wide assortment of products, including adaptogenic mocktails, hemp-infused drinks, and magnesium-based beverages.
The latest drink is a part of the Zero-Proof mocktail line, which is inspired by popular cocktails that swap the alcohol with adaptogens. The new Peppermint Bark ‘Tini reimagines my favorite post-caroling holiday treat into a sparkling beverage that’s perfect for lifting your spirits this season.
While I’ve enjoyed my fair share of peppermint bark drinks before, including peppermint bark flavored hot cocoa and iced coffee, the idea of sipping on a carbonated candy bar had me feeling slightly apprehensive. Regardless, I was excited to see if the drink lived up to my expectations—especially considering the rest of the Zero-Proof line is a regular part of my rotation.
The cans capture the holiday spirit with festive images of candy cane pieces throughout. I chilled one in the fridge for a few hours before pouring it over ice to enjoy. The minty, sweet aroma hit me the moment I opened the can. The smell reminded me of nights caroling in the winter, stirring up a sense of nostalgia.
The first sip of the mocktail surprised me. The drink tasted exactly like a square of peppermint chocolate, with no subtleties at all. The minty flavor was cooling and well-balanced with rich notes of cocoa. And the blend of adaptogens was just what I needed to wind down after a busy week, leaving me relaxed without any unpleasant symptoms that may come from drinking alcohol.
A 12-pack case of the new Peppermint Bark ‘Tini retails for about $44.99 and can be found on the Recess website or Amazon. You can also find the flavor included in the new Holiday Party Sampler, which has an assortment of mocktails like the Classic Cosmo, Ginger Lime Mule, Lime Margarita, and Grapefruit Paloma. It’s perfect for sipping during holiday dinners for guests who wish to skip the glass of wine. I’ve already added it to my shopping list, and, who knows, maybe our caroling group will reunite over a case this winter.
