Peppermint Martini is a refreshing, dessert-like cocktail that captures the essence of candy canes and winter holidays in a sophisticated glass. This festive drink combines vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, and peppermint schnapps with cream to create a smooth, minty cocktail that tastes like liquid peppermint bark. Rimmed with crushed candy canes and garnished with a whole candy cane stirrer, this martini is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Perfect for Christmas parties, New Year’s celebrations, or any winter gathering, the Peppermint Martini delivers cool, refreshing mint flavor balanced with creamy sweetness. It’s the kind of cocktail that makes you feel festive with every sip, bridging the gap between elegant martini and playful holiday treat.
Serving Quantity: 2 martinis
Preparation Time: 8 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces vanilla vodka
- 2 ounces white chocolate liqueur (such as Godiva)
- 1 and a half ounces peppermint schnapps
- 2 ounces heavy cream or half and half
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 3 candy canes (crushed, for rim)
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup or chocolate syrup
- Whipped cream (optional topping)
- 2 whole mini candy canes (for garnish)
- Chocolate syrup (for drizzling)
- Crushed peppermint candies (for topping)
- White chocolate shavings (optional)
Nutrition Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 385
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fat: 11g
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fiber: 0g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
1. Prepare the Candy Cane Rim
Unwrap 2 to 3 candy canes and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Use a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy glass to crush them into fine pieces and powder. You want a mixture of fine dust and some slightly larger crushed pieces for texture and sparkle. Pour the crushed candy canes onto a small, shallow plate and spread them evenly. Pour corn syrup or chocolate syrup onto another small plate. The corn syrup is clear and lets the candy cane colors show through, while chocolate syrup adds a chocolate-mint flavor combination. Dip the rim of each martini glass into the syrup, rotating to coat evenly, then immediately dip into the crushed candy canes, pressing gently to coat completely.
2. Chill the Glasses
Place the rimmed glasses in the freezer for at least 5 to 10 minutes while you prepare the cocktail. Chilled glasses keep the martini colder longer and make the drink more refreshing. The candy cane rim will also firm up slightly in the freezer, making it more stable. If you don’t have time to freeze, you can skip this step, but cold glasses significantly improve the drinking experience. The contrast between the cold, creamy cocktail and the festive rim is part of what makes this drink special.
3. Combine Ingredients in Shaker
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. The ice should be fresh and clean-tasting as it will chill and slightly dilute the cocktail. Add the vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, peppermint schnapps, and heavy cream or half and half to the shaker. The combination of vanilla vodka and white chocolate liqueur creates a smooth, sweet base, while the peppermint schnapps provides that signature minty kick. Heavy cream makes the richest, most indulgent martini, while half and half is slightly lighter but still delicious.
4. Shake Vigorously
Seal the cocktail shaker tightly and shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds. Shake hard enough that you hear the ice really moving around inside and the outside of the shaker becomes frosty cold and almost painful to hold. The vigorous shaking is essential for several reasons: it chills the cocktail completely, slightly dilutes it for perfect balance, and creates a light, frothy texture from the cream. The martini should be ice cold and smooth when finished shaking. You’ll feel the mixture becoming colder and thicker as you shake.
5. Strain into Glasses
Remove your prepared glasses from the freezer. Place a cocktail strainer over the shaker or use the built-in strainer if your shaker has one. Carefully pour the peppermint martini into each glass, dividing it evenly between the two. Pour slowly and steadily to avoid disturbing the candy cane rim. The liquid should be pale, creamy, and smooth with a slightly frothy top from the cream. Leave all the ice behind in the shaker. The cocktail should fill each glass about three-quarters full, leaving room for optional whipped cream topping.
6. Add Chocolate Drizzle
For extra visual appeal and flavor, drizzle chocolate syrup over the surface of each martini in a decorative pattern. Use a squeeze bottle or spoon to create zigzags, spirals, or random artistic drizzles. The chocolate syrup will float on top of the cream-based cocktail initially, then slowly sink, creating beautiful patterns. The chocolate-peppermint combination tastes like thin mint cookies or peppermint bark. This step is optional but adds visual drama and an extra layer of flavor that makes the drink feel more dessert-like.
7. Garnish and Serve
If using whipped cream, add a generous dollop on top of each martini. The whipped cream makes it look like a dessert drink and adds extra sweetness and texture. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies or white chocolate shavings over the whipped cream for sparkle and flavor. Hook a mini candy cane on the rim of each glass to serve as both garnish and stirrer. The candy cane adds festive visual appeal and allows guests to stir extra peppermint flavor into their drink as it dissolves. Serve immediately while cold and enjoy the cooling, refreshing peppermint flavor.
Tips for Perfect Peppermint Martinis
Use good quality vanilla vodka for the smoothest taste. Cheap vodka can taste harsh and ruin an otherwise delicious cocktail. Mid to premium brands make a noticeable difference.
Peppermint extract can replace peppermint schnapps in a pinch, but use only half a teaspoon as extract is much more concentrated. Add extra vodka to make up the liquid.
The candy cane rim can be prepared up to an hour ahead. Keep the rimmed glasses in a cool, dry place until ready to use. Don’t refrigerate or moisture will make them soggy.
Heavy cream creates the richest, most indulgent martini. Half and half is lighter but still creamy. Avoid using milk as it’s too thin and doesn’t create the right texture.
For a stronger peppermint flavor, increase the schnapps to 2 ounces and reduce the white chocolate liqueur to 1 and a half ounces. Adjust based on your preference.
Make these in batches for parties by multiplying the recipe and combining everything except ice in a pitcher. Shake individual portions with ice as guests arrive.
Crushed ice works better than large cubes for shaking creamy cocktails. It chills faster and creates better dilution and texture.
These martinis are quite sweet and dessert-like, so they work best served after dinner or as a replacement for dessert rather than as a pre-dinner cocktail.
For a non-alcoholic version, use vanilla syrup, white chocolate syrup, and peppermint extract mixed with cream and milk. Shake with ice for the same creamy texture.
Different liqueurs create different flavors. Try Irish cream instead of white chocolate liqueur for a richer, less sweet version with coffee notes.
The whipped cream topping is optional but makes the drink more festive and dessert-like. It also provides textural contrast to the smooth martini.
Store leftover mixture in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Shake or stir well before serving as ingredients may separate. Don’t pre-rim glasses more than an hour ahead.
Serve in coupe glasses instead of traditional martini glasses for a vintage look that’s also easier to hold without spilling.
Add a drop or two of red food coloring for a pink peppermint martini that’s even more festive and eye-catching.
These pair wonderfully with chocolate desserts, brownies, or chocolate chip cookies. The peppermint cuts through the richness of chocolate perfectly.
For a fun twist, rim half the glass with crushed candy canes and leave the other half plain, giving drinkers a choice with each sip.
Make it an espresso peppermint martini by adding a shot of cold espresso. The coffee-chocolate-mint combination is incredibly sophisticated.
White chocolate liqueur can be replaced with vanilla liqueur or amaretto for different but equally delicious flavor profiles.
Freeze mini candy canes in ice cube trays with water to create festive peppermint ice cubes that won’t dilute the drink as regular ice would.
These cocktails are perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, Christmas movie nights, or as a signature drink at winter weddings and celebrations.
