Peppermint Martini

Sweet and creamy with festive minty flavor, peppermint martinis are the perfect Christmas cocktail to celebrate the holiday. If you're a diehard fan of peppermint bark, then trust me—this is the drink for you. Ready in 10 minutes, this is the winter drink that your guests will beg for year after year. Read on for everything you need to know:

How To Make Peppermint Martinis

INGREDIENTS

• Chocolate Chips: I find that semisweet chocolate has just the right intensity for this cocktail. Feel free to swap in an equal quantity of chopped semisweet chocolate if you've got bar chocolate on hand.
• Candy Canes: The mere sight of the crushed candy cane rim will have you hearing sleigh bells! I love the way the sharp, menthol flavor of candy canes helps to cut through the richness of the cream and liqueur.
• White Chocolate Liqueur: Serves as the base of the drink, bringing sweetness and velvety texture.
• Vodka: Vodka provides a neutral background that lets the peppermint and chocolate flavors shine.
• Peppermint Schnapps: The defining flavor in this cocktail, peppermint schnapps delivers a sharp, cool, minty quality.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess and mellows the sharpness of the peppermint.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Let's get this party started by rimming three martini glasses with what is basically peppermint bark. Start by crushing the candy canes; I like to place them in a resealable plastic bag and whack them with a rolling pin. Spread out the candy canes on a small shallow plate. Next, we'll need to melt some chocolate: I use a microwave and heat the chocolate in 15-second increments on 50% percent power, stirring after each burst. Now, pour a layer of melted chocolate onto a second small shallow plate. Working one glass at a time, dip the rims of martini glasses in the chocolate, followed by the candy canes.

Divide the remaining melted chocolate among the martini glasses and swirl to coat the bottom third of each glass. Freeze the glasses to allow the chocolate to set while you work on the mixology.

Pour the white chocolate liqueur, vodka, peppermint schnapps, and heavy cream into a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice, then seal it and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is cold.

Divide drink among the rimmed glasses and garnish each with a candy cane.

Full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe below.

Recipe Tips

• Can this be made vegan? While it won't taste exactly the same, you can swap out the heavy cream for coconut cream—it will have a slight coconut flavor but will still be delicious. Make sure to use a dairy-free white (or dark) chocolate liqueur and to create your chocolate rim with vegan dark chocolate (or skip the peppermint rim if you'd rather not bother).
• What's in a peppermint martini? Sure, this cocktail stretches the definition of a martini, but it's just so irresistibly cute served in a rimmed martini glass. To make these drinks, you'll combine white chocolate liqueur, vodka, peppermint schnapps, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker with ice, before serving these shaken—not stirred—martinis with a homemade chocolate and peppermint rim. I'm feeling festive already!
• The best alcohol to use: I use white chocolate liqueur, vodka, and peppermint schnapps to make these martinis. If you can’t find white chocolate liqueur, feel free to use chocolate liqueur, à la my chocolate martini. Use whatever brand you prefer, or swap in crème de cacao. Same deal for the vodka: Use your favorite brand, or consult our list of the best vodka brands.