Say goodbye to pumpkin spice and hello to peppermint delight! Peppermint drinks might be primarily seasonal, but that doesn't stop us from indulging in them all year long. While you might be familiar with a classic peppermint hot cocoa or a boozy and minty white Russain, sip on something different this year with a peppermint martini.
How to Make a Peppermint Martini
Martinis aren't just for dinner parties and work events, they're perfect for the holidays too! Get swept up in the holiday spirit with this peppermint martini recipe. Make it the traditional way or play around with flavors by swapping white chocolate liqueur for dark chocolate liqueur or even peppermint bark liqueur. The creamy cocktail you'll be left with will be the most decadent winter nightcap on your holiday roster.
Ingredients
- Honey and crushed peppermint candy for rim
- 2 ounces vanilla vodka
- 1 ounce white chocolate liqueur
- ½ ounce peppermint schnapps
- ¼ ounce grenadine
- Ice
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- To prepare the rim, rub the martini glass or coupe in a saucer with honey.
- With the crushed peppermint candy on a second saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the crushed candy to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, peppermint schnapps, and grenadine.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
If you want to take things up a notch, strengthen your peppermint martini by swapping peppermint schnapps with peppermint vodka.
5 Variations and Substitutions to Try
The peppermint martini has a fair amount of room for ingredient swaps so you can land on a drink that's delicious every time.
- Use cream in place of white chocolate liqueur for a toned-down martini.
- For a dairy-free option, skip cream altogether.
- If you want a creamier peppermint martini, add ¾ ounce of cream.
- Skip the grenadine for a white martini instead of red.
- Coat the inside of the glass with chocolate syrup to make it even more of a dessert cocktail.
Garnishes That Wrap Things Up in a Bow
If a peppermint candied rim isn't for you, don't skip out on garnishes entirely. Wrap things up in a bow instead with these fun alternatives.
- Use coarse pink sugar on the rim instead of peppermint candy pieces.
- Consider coating the rim with red, pink, or white sprinkles.
- Swap chocolate sauce for honey to get a chocolate peppermint flavor.
- Drop a few sprinkles on top of your finished drink for a sweet treat.
- Toss in a whole peppermint stick as both a great garnish and a post-drink snack.
- Shave some peppermint bark on top.
Scratch Dessert Off Your To-Do List
When it comes to winter wonderland treats and cocktails, a peppermint martini is a must-add to your repertoire. Serve it as an introductory round to your guests at the next holiday party or break it out after dinner as a boozy dessert. No matter how you like to indulge in your peppermint martini, nothing quite captures the cozy season like saying cheers by the fireplace with your loved ones gathered around.
