National Chocolate Mint Day
A delightful blend of refreshing and rich, the combination of cool mint and smooth cocoa is a match made in dessert heaven.
Drive February chocolate-mint sales and beverage upsells by positioning mint-chocolate as a premium flavor experience across confectionery, coffee, and cocktail categories.
- DIY chocolate-mint recipe challenge: share homemade creations on social media
- Barista collaboration: feature limited-edition chocolate-mint mochas and lattes
- Cocktail spotlight: promote Grasshopper and dessert-inspired mint-chocolate drinks
- Nostalgia play: tie Girl Scout Thin Mints to broader mint-chocolate product launches
Campaign ideas7
- Launch a limited-edition chocolate mint flavor or bundle exclusive to the day, with packaging highlighting the Feb 19 celebration date
- Partner with influencers for unboxing/taste-test content of chocolate mint products—micro-influencers perform particularly well in food
- Run a user-generated content contest: #MyChocolateMintMoment asking customers to share photos of their favorite treats for a chance to win product bundles
- Offer flash sales or 'early access' deals on mint chocolate items through email list and social channels (tie to delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats)
- Create a 'build-your-own' chocolate mint experience: online recipe contest or in-store DIY station (brownies, milkshakes, dessert platters)
- Tie in digestive/wellness angle in messaging—highlight that mint aids digestion and chocolate boosts mood for a more premium positioning
- Cross-brand partnerships (e.g., coffee chain + candy brand, ice cream + bakery) to reach new audiences and expand the celebration beyond candy alone
Social angles5
- 'Warm meets cool'—visually rich carousel posts showing chocolate-mint contrasts; caption: 'Feb 19 is the perfect marriage of indulgence & refreshment. Celebrate #NationalChocolateMintDay with us.' #ChocolateMintDay
- 'Nostalgia angle': 'Girl Scout Thin Mints to York Patties—mint chocolate has been a classic since the 1940s. What's YOUR go-to? Comment below! #ChocolateMintDay'
- 'Sensory storytelling': short video of mint chocolate melting, with ASMR appeal. 'Can you smell the cool, fresh mint? #NationalChocolateMintDay #FoodASMR'
- 'Wellness twist': 'Did you know mint aids digestion? Dark chocolate boosts mood? This treat isn't just delicious—it's smart. Indulge guilt-free. #NationalChocolateMintDay #MintChocolate'
- 'Behind-the-scenes': Show how products are made (Andes wrapping, truffle dipping, etc.). 'Crafted for perfection. Celebrated on Feb 19. #ChocolateMintDay'
Ad copy starters5
“'Feb 19: The Only Day Cooler Than Mint Itself.' Bold, playful, positions it as premium celebration”
“'Mint Chocolate Isn't Controversial—It's Iconic.' Tongue-in-cheek, acknowledges the meme that some people dislike it, flips narrative”
“'Your Favorite Indulgence Just Got an Official Holiday.' Emotional, celebratory, inclusive of all mint-choco lovers”
“'Rich, Cool, Unforgettable. Now in a Limited Edition for Feb 19.' Scarcity + luxury positioning”
“'Because Good Things Come in Two Flavors.' Light, poetic, emphasizes balance & pairing”
Tips4
- DO: Lead with the sensory experience—mint chocolate is as much about the contrast of cool & warm as the flavor. Visuals should show this contrast (color, texture, imagery).
- DO: Tie to established cultural touchstones (Girl Scout Thin Mints, York Patties, after-dinner mints) to anchor the celebration in nostalgia & tradition.
- DON'T: Over-correct the 'polarizing flavor' narrative. While some mock mint-choco lovers, positioning your brand as proudly pro-mint (not defensive) feels authentic & fun.
- DO: Bundle & cross-promote. Chocolate-mint is versatile—ice cream, candy, baked goods, beverages, coffee. Multi-category bundles expand reach & average order value.
The ancient Greeks and Romans valued mint for its ability to aid in digestion, freshen one’s breath, it’s ability to be used in many different kinds of foods. However, mint-flavored chocolates didn’t occur until the late 19th century when solid chocolate was being manufactured as candy.
Mint combined with chocolate didn’t truly become a popular concept until York Peppermint Patties came to life.
When Henry Kessler opened up the York Cone Company during the 1920s, the company manufactured and produced ice cream cones. The world still had to wait a couple of decades until York began to specialize in the mint concoction it is known for today,
It wasn’t until the 1940’s that the ultimate blend of mint and chocolate, the York Peppermint Patty, was created. Mint and chocolate had already existed during this time, but York’s development made the combination a classic–and a popular one at that!
Today, the York Cone Company is now owned by Hershey, and Hershey provides a wide variety of York peppermint patties, with options such as sugar-free, chocolate truffle mints, York peppermint bites, and all kinds of shapes for the various holidays throughout the year.
Even though York may have been the first to become popular for the mix of mint chocolates, others weren’t far behind. In fact, some sources reveal that Huyler’s in New York was one of the first candy companies to mass produce chocolate mint candies.
Now, the combination of mint and chocolate and mint has become a classic – National Chocolate Mint Day, sponsored by the US National Confectioners Association, is celebrated every year through various activities, mostly with people buying their favorite brand mint chocolate and eating to their heart’s delight.
Get Creative with Chocolate Mint Recipes
Chocolate Mint goodies don’t have to be confined to just those available at the store. Celebrate National Chocolate Mint Day by crafting a wide variety of recipes at home using fresh mint oil and gourmet cocoa powder. Finding a recipe online and trying it out for yourself can be a fun experience overall. However, you can make this experience an even more fun one if you host a party and dedicate the entire day towards making mint chocolates. In addition to just making chocolate mint candies, the combination of chocolate and mint can be used to upgrade a wide variety of sweet recipes, including cakes, cookies, brownies, and the highly favored mint chocolate chip ice cream. Of course, if the timing is right, the world-famous Thin Mint Cookies offered by Girl Scouts are certainly a treat that can inspire or be added to tons of different yummy recipes.
Add Mint to Beverages
Start in the morning by asking the barista at a local coffee shop to create a luscious chocolate mint mocha in lieu of that typical morning cup-o-joe. For an afternoon pick-me-up, try adding a bit of mint to a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Simply drop a red-and-white mint in the bottom and stir. This can also be a great way to use up some of those leftover peppermint candy canes from Christmas. When evening comes around, it’s fun for adults to try a chocolate mint alcoholic concoction that will taste like drinking a dessert! Sometimes called a Grasshopper, the drink recipe typically uses creme de menthe, creme de cacao and light cream. Some recipes take advantage of Bailey’s Irish Cream and add whipped cream, just for fun. Of course, to top it off, this drink can be garnished with a fresh mint sprig, a peppermint candy, or a sprinkling of cocoa.
Taste Test Chocolate Mint Candies
If making and sharing mint chocolate delicacies seems like too much trouble, it’s easy to simply go out to a local grocery store and purchase some favorite brands of chocolate mint to enjoy in celebration. Then, have a taste test to see which version is the best. In addition to York Peppermint Patties, consider these options: Aero (UK brand) After Eight Mints (UK Brand) Andes Chocolate Mints (American Brand) Junior Mints (American Brand) Lindt Mint Intense (Swiss Brand) M&Ms Mint (American Brand)
Celebrate at Work
An excellent idea to make your co-workers happy is to give out some York patties or other chocolate mint treats at your workplace, and tell people about why you love this day. Those who are a little more adventurous can make their favorite mint chocolate brownies or other recipe and bring them to work to share. For an after work cocktail hour, consider trying out the Grasshopper recipes mentioned above.