Peppermint Martini
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This seasonal and decadent take on a martini is made with vodka, peppermint schnapps, creme de menthe, and a bit of cream. The rim is garnished with a bit of chocolate syrup and crushed candy canes.
Some recipes will use vanilla vodka and creme de menthe rather than creme de cacao. In testing this recipe I found the creme de menthe to be too strong of the peppermint flavor. I think the creme de cacao and cream creates a deliciously balanced chocolate and peppermint flavor.
Peppermint Martini
Table of contents
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Peppermint schnapps – Peppermint schnapps is a distilled clear spirit that tastes like a liquid candy cane popular around the holidays. Try adding a bit to your espresso martini for a holiday twist.
- Vodka – I prefer to use plain vodka rather than buying a flavored vodka like vanilla just for this cocktail. Vodka is a clear, distilled spirit created by extracting starch from various grains, fruits and vegetables; commonly potatoes, wheat or rice.
- Creme de cacao – This is a sweet chocolate liqueur, used in classic cocktails like a grasshopper. Despite what you may think based on the name it actually does not include dairy. The “creme” refers to a crème liqueur, a liqueur with a high sugar content. There are two varieties, white (clear) or dark. To keep the color in this frosty cocktail, I opt for the lighter variety.
- Heavy cream – The drink itself is actually clear so I finish it off with a bit of cream to add a rich flavor and creamy texture. It can be omitted to create a dairy-free version.
How to Make a Peppermint Martini
Step 1: Garnish the glass.
Add chocolate syrup to a shallow bowl and dip the edge of the glass in the chocolate syrup. Add candy canes to a plate and dip the edge of glass in the candy canes, pressing to adhere any loose ones.
Step 2: Add ingredients to shaker.
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add peppermint schnapps, creme de cacao, vodka and heavy cream.
Step 3: Strain and serve.
Close shaker and shake until combined and chilled. Strain into the rimmed glass and serve.
Tips and Tricks for This Recipe
Swaps and substitutions
- You can add a bit of chocolate syrup inside the cocktail for a more chocolatey peppermint martini.
- I like to add the garnish to one side of the drink, but it can be rimmed all around by dipping the glass in a shallow bowl filled with chocolate syrup (or grenadine) and then dipping it in the crushed candy canes.
To make this dairy free
To make this dairy free simply omit the cream! The cocktail will be clear.
To crush the candy canes for the rim
Unwrap candy canes and add to a food processor and pulse until broken into small pieces. You can also add the candy canes to a resealable plastic bag and seal. Wrap the bag in a towel and use a mallet to crush the candy canes.
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this peppermint martini recipe, give these cocktails a try and follow me on Instagram:
Peppermint Martini
Ingredients:
For the rim:
- ¼ cup chocolate syrup
- ½ cup crushed candy canes
For the cocktail:
- 1 ounce (60 proof) peppermint schnapps
- 1½ ounces white creme de cacao
- ½ ounce vodka
- ½ ounce heavy cream
Instructions:
For the rim:
- Add chocolate syrup to a shallow bowl and dip the edge of the glass in the chocolate syrup. Add candy canes to a plate and dip the edge of glass in the candy canes, pressing to adhere any loose ones.
For the cocktail:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add peppermint schnapps, creme de cacao, vodka and heavy cream.
- Close shaker and shake until combined and chilled.
- Strain into the rimmed glass and serve.
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