• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to content

Preppy Kitchen logo

  • About
    • Meet John
    • Press
  • Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Breads
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Casseroles
    • Instant Pot
    • Appetizers
    • Drinks
    • Holiday
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Press
  • All Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Follow us on

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Drinks » Peppermint Martini

    Peppermint Martini

    Published: December 12, 2022 · Modified: Dec 12, 2022 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    This Peppermint Martini recipe is the perfect holiday twist on a classic. Sweet, creamy, and minty, this festive cocktail is perfect for when you are entertaining guests this holiday season. All you need are 3 ingredients. Make it even more fun by rimming the glass with crushed peppermint candies.

    Two peppermint martinis with crushed and whole candy canes scattered around with festive garnishes on the counter.
    30 shares
    • Share
    • Reddit
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest graphic of a glass of peppermint martini with a jigger and peppermint candies around on the counter.
    Pinterest graphic of a peppermint martini with a shaker, bottles of alcohol, and a second martini glass behind it.
    Pinterest graphic of a peppermint martini strained into a prepared glass.
    Pinterest graphic of a glass of peppermint martini with a second drink, bottles of alcohol, and shaker in the background.
    Pinterest graphic of a glass of peppermint martini with crushed and whole peppermint candies scattered around with greenery.

    This peppermint martini is an easy cocktail recipe that is perfect for the holiday reason. 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 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.

    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.

    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 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 martini 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.

    If you love this recipe try these out!

    • A glass of martini with a lemon twist garnish.

      Martini Recipe

    • Eggnog Recipe

    • A glass of hot toddy in front of a second on and a jar of honey.

      Hot Toddy

    • A Brandy Alexander in a coupe glass with fresh nutmeg, a jigger, a shaker, and a bottle of cognac in the back.

      Brandy Alexander

    • Two glasses of coquito with cinnamon sprinkles on top and a cinnamon stick garnish.

      Coquito

    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!

    A glass of peppermint martini with crushed peppermint candies on the rim with a second one behind it and crushed candies scattered around.
    Print
    5 from 1 vote

    Peppermint Martini

    Sweet and minty, this Peppermint Martini recipe is a festive cocktail perfect for entertaining this holiday season. It comes together so quickly and easily!
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes
    Servings 1 drink
    Calories 170kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Equipment

    • Cockatil shaker
    • Jigger
    • Cocktail strainer
    • Martini cocktail glass

    Ingredients

    • 1 ounce vanilla vodka
    • ½ ounce white crème de menthe
    • ½ ounce peppermint schnapps
    • crushed peppermint candies for garnish

    Instructions

    • In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, crème de menthe, and schnapps.
    • If rimming the cocktail glass, dip the rim of a martini glass in vanilla vodka then press it into the crushed peppermint candies.
    • Fill the cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until frosted on the outside, about 30 seconds. Strain into the martini glass.

    Notes

    • As the ingredients list 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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 0.3mg | Sugar: 11g | Iron: 0.01mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!
    « Dulce de Leche Cinnamon Rolls
    Chocolate Pudding »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Preppy Kitchen!

    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

    Search

    Follow Us On

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Preppy Kitchen Newsletter

    Sign up to receive recipes, recommendations and tips straight to your inbox!

    Buy My Book

    As Seen On

    As seen on Elle Décor, People, Food Network and more

    Top recipes This Month

    • A stack of peanut butter cookies on a small wooden board

      Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

    • An Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie next to a glass of milk

      Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

    • Lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar on a green and white plate.

      Lemon Bars

    • A group of pink macarons on a serving tray next to flowers

      Macaron Recipe

    • An Espresso martini on a gray surface with coffee beans scattered around

      Espresso Martini

    • A cake stand with a slice of red velvet cake cut out and placed on a plate in front.

      Red Velvet Cake

    • A group of shortbread cookies. some are stacked while others are on crumpled paper.

      Shortbread Cookies Recipe

    • A photo of a vanilla cupcake on a cupcake stand with vanilla buttercream frosting beautifully piped on top.

      Buttercream Frosting

    • A plate with multiple cake pops on it with one with a bite taken out.

      Cake Pops

    • photo of moist Vanilla Cupcakes in pink paper wrappers

      Moist Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

    Footer

    As Seen On:

    Elle Décor, People, Country Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Food Network, Woman's Day, forkly, Yummly, the Bump, Buzz Feed, Home and Family and New York magazine.

    The Brand

    • About John
    • Press

    Preppy Kitchen Logo

    Dessert Recipes

    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Pies
    • All Desserts

    Main Course Recipes

    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Casseroles
    • InstantPot
    • Soups
    • Salads

    COPYRIGHT © 2015 - 2020 PREPPY KITCHEN | PRIVACY POLICY

    30 shares