This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.

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.

Peppermint Martini
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Here’s a delightful signature winter cocktail: the Peppermint Martini! This drink is creamy and minty fresh, a delicious combination of peppermint schnapps and chocolate liqueur.

Alex and I love making signature drinks for any occasion, and this one is perfect for the holidays. Cozy up with one by the fire, or drink it as a fun Christmas cocktail with appetizers. Who wouldn’t want a drink that tastes like liquid candy canes?

What’s in a Peppermint Martini?

The Peppermint Martini is a spin on a flavored vodka martini that’s made with peppermint schnapps. Of course, the vodka martini is barely related to the classic Dry Martini: it’s more of an excuse to make a flavored drink with vodka served up in a martini glass! This one combines peppermint and chocolate flavors with a rich, creamy body. Here are the ingredients you’ll need for a Peppermint Martini:

How sweet is this drink?

This Peppermint Martini is sweet but not too sweet, in our opinion (and we’re not fans of overly sugary drinks). It’s considered a dessert drink but it’s not over the top. The sweetness comes mainly from the schnapps and the Creme de Cacao, so there’s no added simple syrup.

Peppermint martini

Prepping 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.
Peppermint Schnapps

Make it dairy free or vegan

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!)

All about 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)!

Important: 100 proof schnapps

There are a few types of peppermint schnapps that you’ll find at stores and online: 30 proof (15% ABV), 60 proof (30% ABV), and 100 proof (50% ABV). The 100 proof version is very strong, so if that’s all you have, don’t follow the quantity in the recipe and simply add it to taste!

Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Print

Peppermint Martini

Peppermint Martini
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

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.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • 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

Scale
  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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

Did you love this recipe?

Get our free newsletter with all of our best recipes!

More peppermint drinks

The Peppermint Martini is one of our favorite minty cocktails! Here are a few more minty drinks that work as holiday cocktails and beyond:

About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

7 Comments

  1. Caryn Wilson says:

    These sound amazing! What vodka do you use?

    1. Alex Overhiser says:

      We usually use Titos

  2. Jess says:

    Any chance could make a large batch ahead of time?

    1. Alex Overhiser says:

      We haven’t test that, sorry!

  3. Dominguez says:

    Sound delicious! Will this work with half & half?

    1. Alex Overhiser says:

      Yes! That should work.

  4. Sonja Overhiser says:

    Let us know if you have any questions!