The decadent Peppermint Martini blends vodka, peppermint schnapps, and chocolate liqueur, making it a simple winter or holiday cocktail. Garnish with crushed peppermint candies on the rim for a cheerful appearance!
As an eternal mint enthusiast, here’s one of my favorite cold-weather drinks: the Peppermint Martini! Crafting signature beverages for the holidays is a joy, and this one epitomizes festive cheer.
Who wouldn’t desire a drink that flavors like liquid candy canes? It’s smooth and minty fresh, an enticing mix of peppermint schnapps and chocolate liqueur. It’s the ideal playful Christmas cocktail to accompany a variety of appetizers or a cookie platter!
What Sets This Peppermint Martini Apart
Contrary to many dessert cocktails, this martini doesn’t strike me as overly sweet (and I generally dislike overly sugary beverages). The harmony of mint and chocolate is perfectly balanced, and the cream adds body without rendering it heavy.
The Peppermint Martini is a twist on a flavored vodka martini with peppermint schnapps as the centerpiece ingredient, providing a candy cane taste without seeming artificial (unlike my Peppermint White Russian or Peppermint Patty Drink).
Essential Ingredients
Here are the essential components you’ll need for this beverage:
– Peppermint schnapps: This is the star of the drink! I prefer 30 proof or 60 proof schnapps, which offers just the right amount of peppermint flavor. If only 100 proof is available, it’s quite potent, so use half the specified amount and adjust according to taste.
– Vodka: Any mid-tier vodka will work. I typically use Titos.
– Creme de Cacao: This chocolate liqueur introduces cocoa notes to enhance the peppermint. It contributes most of the sweetness in the drink, so no need for additional simple syrup.
– Heavy Cream: Provides that creamy feel that makes this seem like a special-occasion beverage.
Creating the Peppermint Rim
This Peppermint Martini is fantastic as it is, but for entertaining, it’s delightful with a peppermint candy rim! Here’s how to create it:
– Crush the peppermint candies and place them on a plate. Use a plastic bag and the base of a jar, can, or rolling pin to break them into bits.
– Put a splash of grenadine on another plate. Grenadine syrup acts as the adhesive for the candy. Dip the outer edge of the glass in the grenadine and rotate. Keep the position of the glass steady while turning the stem to achieve an even layer. (Water can be used too, but grenadine is more effective.)
– Dip the rim in the crushed candies and rotate. Repeat in the crushed candy! The grenadine attaches the crumbs to the rim.
Dairy-Free / Vegan Variation
To transform this into a dairy-free or vegan Peppermint Martini, swap full-fat coconut milk for the heavy cream! It results in a subtle coconut flavor, though not overpowering. The coconut fat serves well as a substitute for the dairy fat. (Avoid using cream of coconut; it will make the drink excessively sweet!)
Ingredient Highlight: Peppermint Schnapps
Peppermint schnapps is the essence of this Peppermint Martini! It’s a clear liquor infused with peppermint flavoring in a neutral grain spirit. White Creme de Menthe can be used as a substitute if available. Here’s what to remember about this schnapps variety:
– What ABV is peppermint schnapps? Peppermint schnapps comes in three ABV levels: 15% ABV (30 proof), 30% ABV (60 proof), and 50% ABV (100 proof). In comparison, vodka has an ABV of 40%.
– What flavor does peppermint schnapps have? It tastes like a candy cane, with a spicy, alcoholic finish. The potency resembles mouthwash!
– Are there any alternatives? White creme de menthe can serve as an alternative: it has a softer, more balanced mint taste. Just ensure you don’t select the green Creme de Menthe (which provides the signature green hue in a Grasshopper)!
When to Enjoy This Cocktail
This Peppermint Martini is superb as a Christmas cocktail and also ideal for Valentine’s Day gatherings in February (without the peppermint rim). It’s best enjoyed after dinner as a dessert drink, but can also pair well with appetizers. Here are some serving ideas:
Peppermint Martini
The Peppermint Martini is smooth and minty fresh: the perfect winter drink for the season! Decorate the glass with peppermint candies for a festive touch.
Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Shaken