Peppermint Martini

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This peppermint martini is an easy cocktail recipe that is perfect for the holiday season time of year. You only need a few ingredients to make this peppermint cocktail, and you can have this cocktail ready in no time. Full of refreshing peppermint flavor, this drink will remind you of candy canes candies and get you into the holiday spirit.

While you can make this delicious drink year-round, it’s perfect for your next holiday dinner or holiday party. Serve it with crushed peppermint candies on the rim or with a little candy cane tucked onto the edge to amp up the holiday cheer! Want another martini recipe? Try my chocolate martini recipe, french martini recipe, or pomegranate martini recipe.

What You Need to Make This Recipe

Ingredients needed to make a peppermint martini.

Vodka — I use vanilla-flavored vodka to help balance out the minty flavors from the white crème de menthe and peppermint schnapps. It has a creamy, vanilla flavor that is perfect for candy-like martinis. If you cannot find vanilla vodka, you can use regular vodka. Some recipes will reverse this and use white chocolate liqueur and peppermint vodka but I think this recipe yields a better tasting drink

White crème de menthe — a favorite for dessert-style cocktails, crème de menthe provides the spearmint aroma and sweet mint flavour.

Peppermint schnapps — this is a distilled spirit that gives the cocktail its peppermint taste.

How to Make Peppermint Martini

Set of two photos showing jigger of liquid added to the shaker and cocktail glass placed upside down in a plate of crushed candies.

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, crème de menthe, and schnapps.

2. If rimming the cocktail glass, dip the rim of a martini glass in vanilla vodka, then press it into the crushed peppermint candies.

Set of two photos showing shaker shaken and cocktail strained into the prepared glass.

3. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until frosted on the outside, about 30 seconds.

4. Strain into the martini glass or coupe glass.

A peppermint martini with crushed and full peppermint candies scattered around with a jigger and shaker behind it.

Pro Tips for Making This Recipe

As the ingredients list for this candy cane martini is short, try using good quality ingredients for this peppermint martini because those flavors will shine. Avoid using cheap vodka, or the drink won’t go down as smoothly.
To make the drink even colder, you can chill your martini glasses in the freezer beforehand.
If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, use a mason jar or any jar with a tight-fitting lid, then strain through a mesh strainer.
Avoid adding crushed ice to the shaker as the ice will melt quicker, which will water down the peppermint martini.

A glass of peppermint martini with a second glass, bottles of liqueur, and the shaker behind it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I crush the peppermint candies?

To make the crushed peppermint candies for the rim of the glass, place the candies in a plastic bag and use the bottom of a can or rolling pin to break them into small pieces.

Is crème de menthe and peppermint schnapps the same?

While they both have peppermint flavoring, crème de menthe has a lower alcohol content, is sweeter than peppermint schnapps, and has a less intense peppermint taste.

Can I make a large batch?

You can easily make a pitcher of peppermint martini by scaling up the ingredients to however many servings you’d like and stirring them together in a pitcher. Store in the fridge until ready to serve at your next festive drinks get together.

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If you’ve tried this Peppermint Martini recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!

5 from 1 vote