Feature Photo and design by Brian Kachejian
Chocolate peppermint candies like York Peppermint Patties, Junior Mints, and Andies are among the most popular mint chocolate snacks you can buy, but not every brand delivers the same flavor, texture, or overall experience. In this taste test, I compared major brands, a sugar-free option, and a generic store brand to find out which chocolate mint is actually worth buying. I have always been a big fan of York Peppermint Patties and Junior Mints, so I was really looking forward to this one, but a couple of surprises completely changed the outcome.
Mint candy holds a different place than most sweets. People reach for mints every day, but they also reach for them after meals for a reason. There is something about that cool peppermint flavor that feels like a reset, almost like a palate cleanser that just makes everything feel a little better. Most restaurants hand out hard mints, but that is not what this is about. This is about chocolate-covered mints, the kind you actually want to sit down and eat.
If you want to see how other candies stack up, check out our Best Candy Taste Tests and Rankings for more honest comparisons.
York Peppermint Patty
Starting with York, this is the one most people recognize right away. From the first bite, it delivered exactly what you expect. Strong peppermint flavor, rich chocolate, and that familiar texture that has made this one a favorite for years.
This one set the standard immediately.
Final score, 10 out of 10.
Russell Stover Sugar Free Peppermint Patty
This was one I really wanted to test side by side. A sugar-free version going up against a classic is always interesting.
Surprisingly, this one held its own. It had a slightly different texture, almost like a cookie-style base, and the mint flavor was strong. It did not match the original York, but it came a lot closer than expected.
Final score, 9 out of 10.
Landmark Peppermint Patties
Here is where things got interesting. This is a lower-cost generic brand from the dollar store, and expectations were not high going in.
But this one delivered. It was thinner, but the chocolate had a really nice taste, and the texture leaned toward that cookie-style base. For the price, this was a strong performance and easily the best value in the lineup.
Final score, 9.5 out of 10.
Andies Creme De Menthe
This one is a little different, but it still belongs in the conversation. It leans more toward a creme style mint with a smoother texture and a slightly different flavor profile.
It worked. Smooth, balanced, and rich, this one came very close to the top.
Final score, 9.9 out of 10.
Junior Mints
This was the big question going in. Could this beat York?
The texture is completely different, softer and creamier, but when you compare the overall experience, something about it just pushes it ahead. The balance between chocolate and mint comes together in a way that stands out.
This one edged past York.
Final score, 10.5 out of 10.
Final Ranking
- Junior Mints, 10.5
- York Peppermint Patty, 10
- Andies Creme De Menthe, 9.9
- Landmark Peppermint Patties, 9.5
- Russell Stover Sugar Free Peppermint Patty, 9
Final Verdict
Even though these all fall under the same category, the differences in texture, chocolate quality, and mint intensity were clear once they were tested side by side. This is exactly why doing these comparisons matters. Packaging might make them look similar, but the experience is completely different once you take a bite.
Junior Mints took the top spot, but York still proved why it has been a go to for so many people. The biggest surprise was how well the generic brand performed, especially for the price.
If you enjoy candy comparisons like this, also check out our Best Red Licorice Ranked Twizzlers vs Red Vines vs Wiley Wallaby and our Cookie Dough Bites Flavor Taste Test and Ranking.
Watch the Full Taste Test
Check out the video below to see the full breakdown and reactions.
