These peppermint martinis taste (& look) as festive as they sound

If you’re looking for a cocktail that really captures the Christmas spirit, then look no further. This sweet, creamy martini is loaded with peppermint flavor and decked out in festive flair. With a peppermint bark rim, a hardened chocolate bottom that melts into the cocktail as you drink, and a delightful candy cane garnish, this white chocolate, peppermint, and vodka martini embodies everything we love about the holiday season. Ready in just 10 minutes, this is the holiday cocktail that your guests will beg for year after year. Read on for everything you need to know:

What People Are Saying:

"I made these for Christmas Eve. Delicious! My family raved and said they were the best holiday cocktail yet!" - OrangeTeepee

How To Make Peppermint Martinis

• 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: This velvety liqueur serves as the base of the drink, adding sweetness and a silky-smooth texture.
• Vodka: Vodka provides a neutral background that lets the peppermint and chocolate flavors shine.
• Peppermint Schnapps: It wouldn't be a peppermint martini without the peppermint. The defining flavor in this cocktail, peppermint schnapps, delivers a sharp, cool, minty quality.
• Heavy Cream: This adds luxurious creaminess to the drink while also helping to mellow the sharpness of the peppermint.

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.

Peppermint Martini Stills

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.

Peppermint Martini Stills

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.

Peppermint Martini Stills

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

Peppermint Martini Stills

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!

Peppermint Martini Variations

I use white chocolate liqueur, vodka, and peppermint schnapps to make these martinis, but if you can’t find white chocolate liqueur or want to switch things up, feel free to use chocolate liqueur, à la my chocolate martini. Use whatever brand you prefer, or even swap in crème de cacao. The same goes for the vodka: Use your favorite brand, or consult our list of the best vodka brands. Not as much a fan of the peppermint? Stick to the white chocolate liqueur, vodka, and wintery vibes with our vanilla-and-white-chocolate snowflake martinis.

Peppermint Martini

Peppermint Martini

Made This?

Let us know how it went in the comments below!

Yields: 3 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 c.

  semisweet chocolate chips, melted

• 1/4 c.

  crushed candy canes

• 6 oz.

  white chocolate liqueur

• 4 oz.

  vodka

• 2 oz.

  peppermint schnapps

• 2 tbsp.

  heavy cream

• Ice

• 3

  small candy canes

Directions

1. Pour melted chocolate onto a shallow plate. Place crushed candy canes on another shallow plate. Dip rims of martini glasses first in chocolate, then in candy canes. Pour remaining chocolate into bottom of glasses and swirl to coat bottom third of glasses with chocolate. Place glasses in freezer until ready to use.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine white chocolate liqueur, vodka, peppermint schnapps, and cream. Fill shaker with ice, cover, and vigorously shake until outside of shaker is very cold, about 20 seconds.
3. Divide drink among prepared glasses. Garnish with small candy canes.