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The creamy Peppermint Martini combines vodka, peppermint schnapps, and chocolate liqueur for an easy winter or Christmas cocktail. Top with crushed peppermint candies on the rim for a festive look!
As a forever mint lover, here’s one of my favorite winter cocktails: the Peppermint Martini! I love making signature drinks for the holidays, and this one is the definition of festive.
Who wouldn’t want a drink that tastes like liquid candy canes? It’s creamy and minty fresh, an intriguing combination of peppermint schnapps and chocolate liqueur. It’s the perfect fun Christmas cocktail to serve with a spread of appetizers or a cookie tray!
What Makes This Peppermint Martini Special
Unlike many dessert drinks, this martini isn’t overly sugary in my opinion (and I’m not a fan of overly sugary drinks). The balance between mint and chocolate is just right, and the cream gives it body without making it feel heavy.
The Peppermint Martini is a spin on a flavored vodka martini using peppermint schnapps as the star ingredient, which gives you a candy cane flavor without tasting artificial (like in my Peppermint White Russian or Peppermint Patty Drink).
Key Ingredients
Here are the key ingredients you’ll need for this drink:
- Peppermint schnapps: This is what makes the drink! I use 30 proof or 60 proof schnapps, which has just the right amount of peppermint flavor. If you can only find the 100 proof version, it’s very strong so use half the amount called for and adjust to taste (see the recipe below).
- Vodka: Use any mid-range vodka. I usually use Titos.
- Creme de Cacao: This chocolate liqueur brings cocoa notes to complement the peppermint. It’s what provides most of the sweetness in the drink, so there’s no need for additional simple syrup. (See my quick guide to Creme de Cacao.)
- Heavy Cream: Creates that creamy texture that makes this feel like a special-occasion drink.
Making the Peppermint Rim
This Peppermint Martini is great as is, but if you’re entertaining it’s perfect with a peppermint candy rim! Here’s how to do it:
- Crush the peppermint candies and add them a plate. Place them in a plastic bag and use the bottom of a jar, can, or rolling pin to break them into pieces.
- Add a pool of grenadine to another plate. Grenadine syrup is the glue that holds on the candy. Place the outer edge of the glass in the grenadine and rotate. Hold the position of the glass constant and rotate the stem so you get an even coating. (You can use water too, but grenadine works better.)
- Place the rim in the crushed candies and rotate. Then, do the same thing in the crushed candy! The grenadine glues the crumbs to the rim.
Dairy-Free / Vegan Option
To make this a dairy free or vegan Peppermint Martini, substitute full-fat coconut milk for the heavy cream! It comes out with a slight coconut flavor, but it’s not overwhelming. The coconut fat works well as a substitute for the dairy fat. (Don’t use cream of coconut: the drink will come out much too too sweet!)
Ingredient Spotlight: Peppermint Schnapps
Peppermint schnapps is what makes this Peppermint Martini! It’s a clear alcohol made by adding peppermint flavoring to a clear grain spirit. You can substitute white Creme de Menthe if you have it on hand. Here’s what to know about this type of schnapps:
- What ABV is peppermint schnapps? Peppermint schnapps is sold in three different ABV levels: 15% ABV (30 proof), 30% ABV (60 proof), and 50% ABV (100 proof). Compare it to 40% ABV of hard alcohol like vodka.
- What does peppermint schnapps taste like? The flavor is like a candy cane, with a spicy, boozy finish. The strength tastes almost like mouthwash!
- Are there any substitutes? White creme de menthe can work as a substitute: it has a gentler, more balanced mint flavor. Just make sure not to get the green Creme de Menthe (which makes the signature green color in a Grasshopper)!
When to Serve This Cocktail
This Peppermint Martini works great as a Christmas cocktail and it’s also perfect for Valentine’s Day cocktails in February (without the peppermint rim). It’s best after dinner as a dessert drink, but it can work with appetizers too. Here are a few serving suggestions:
- Serve alongside Christmas appetizers before a winter dinner
- Pair with chocolate desserts
- Make it part of a winter cocktail flight with other winter cocktails
- Serve with chocolate truffles or chocolate bark
Easy Peppermint Martini
The Peppermint Martini is creamy and minty fresh: the ideal winter cocktail for the season! Rim the glass in peppermint candies for a festive look.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 ounce 30 proof or 60 proof* peppermint schnapps (or white Creme de Menthe)
- ½ ounce** vodka
- 1 ½ ounces Creme de Cacao
- 1 ½ ounces heavy cream
- Peppermint candies and grenadine, for the rim (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the rim: Crush the peppermint candies and place them in an even layer on a plate. On another plate, add a small pool of grenadine, or simply wet the rim of the glass with water using your finger (grenadine is easiest and works best). Run the rim of a martini glass in the grenadine first, rotating the glass so the rim is evenly coated. Then roll the rim in the crushed candies until evenly coated.
- Shake the drink: Place the peppermint schnapps, vodka, Creme de Cacao, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice and shake until cold. Strain the drink into the prepared martini glass.
Notes
*Check the bottle before you make this drink! If using 100 proof (50% ABV) schnapps, use half the quantity and customize to taste.
**To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
These sound amazing! What vodka do you use?
We usually use Titos
Any chance could make a large batch ahead of time?
We haven’t test that, sorry!
Sound delicious! Will this work with half & half?
Yes! That should work.
Let us know if you have any questions!