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8 Peppermint Christmas Cocktails (Minty, Festive Holiday Drinks)

ByFoodarshia

Let’s be honest. When December rolls around, we all collectively decide that mint is the only flavor that matters. We put it in cookies, coffee, and yes, our cocktails. There is something about the icy cool burn of peppermint mixed with the warmth of alcohol that just screams “holidays.” It’s festive, it’s refreshing, and let’s face it—it helps mask the fact that you’ve been eating nothing but cheese and sugar for three weeks straight.

I used to think peppermint drinks were just sugary gimmicks for tourists. But then I made my first proper Peppermint White Russian, and my life changed. IMO, a well-balanced peppermint cocktail is the ultimate winter accessory. It’s sophisticated yet fun, like wearing a tuxedo with novelty socks. 🙂

Whether you want something creamy and indulgent or crisp and boozy, this list has you covered. I’ve tested these recipes thoroughly (you’re welcome), and I guarantee they will make your holiday gathering a hit. Grab your candy canes and let’s get mixing.

1. The Peppermint White Russian

We have to start with the drink that changed my mind. The Dude would approve, but Santa would love it even more. This twists the classic Kahlúa-and-cream combo by adding a sharp peppermint kick that cuts right through the richness.

Why It Works

The creaminess of the half-and-half acts as the perfect canvas for the mint. Without the fat, the mint can taste like toothpaste. With the fat? It tastes like a melted milkshake.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Kahlúa (Coffee Liqueur)
  • 1 oz Peppermint Schnapps
  • 1 oz Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half
  • Mini Candy Canes for garnish

Instructions

  1. Crush a candy cane and rim your rocks glass (dip the rim in simple syrup first, then the candy).
  2. Fill the glass with ice.
  3. Pour the vodka, Kahlúa, and schnapps over the ice.
  4. Stir gently to combine the spirits.
  5. Pour the cream slowly over the back of a spoon to layer it on top (or just dump it in if you don’t care about aesthetics).
  6. Garnish with a whole mini candy cane.

Ever wonder why layering looks so cool? It’s just specific gravity. The cream is lighter than the sugary liqueurs, so it floats.

2. Frozen Peppermint Mudslide

If you want dessert in a glass, this is it. It’s essentially a boozy milkshake. I serve this at parties when I’m too lazy to bake actual dessert, and nobody ever complains.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream
  • 1 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Irish Cream (Baileys)
  • 1 oz Peppermint Schnapps
  • Chocolate Syrup for drizzling
  • Whipped Cream

Instructions

  1. Drizzle chocolate syrup down the inside walls of a tall glass.
  2. Blend the ice cream, vodka, Irish cream, and schnapps until smooth.
  3. Pour into the prepared glass.
  4. Top with a mountain of whipped cream and crushed peppermint.

Pro Tip:

Let the ice cream sit on the counter for 5 minutes before blending. It makes the texture smoother and less icy.

3. Peppermint Espresso Martini

The espresso martini is having a moment, so naturally, we have to holiday-ify it. This drink wakes you up and calms you down simultaneously. It’s dangerous because the coffee masks the alcohol completely.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz Vodka (Vanilla vodka is a power move here)
  • 1 oz Fresh Espresso (hot is fine!)
  • 0.5 oz Coffee Liqueur
  • 0.5 oz Peppermint Syrup or Schnapps
  • 3 Coffee beans for garnish

Instructions

  1. Brew your espresso.
  2. Fill a shaker completely with ice.
  3. Add all liquids.
  4. Shake violently for 20 seconds. You need to shake hard to get that signature foam layer.
  5. Strain quickly into a chilled martini glass.
  6. Place the coffee beans on the foam.

Why shake so hard? The oils in the coffee need to emulsify with the air to create that creamy head. A weak shake equals a flat drink.

4. The “Grinch” Peppermint Martini

This one is green, mean, and surprisingly sweet. It uses Crème de Menthe instead of schnapps, which gives it that vibrant emerald color. It’s a showstopper on a tray.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Green Crème de Menthe
  • 1 oz White Crème de Cacao
  • 1 oz Heavy Cream
  • Red sugar for rim

Instructions

  1. Rim the glass with red sugar for a festive contrast.
  2. Combine vodka, Crème de Menthe, Crème de Cacao, and cream in a shaker with ice.
  3. Shake until frosty.
  4. Strain into the glass.

My Take:

This tastes exactly like an Andes Mint chocolate. If you hate those, skip this. If you love them, you’re welcome.

5. Candy Cane Mojito

Mojitos aren’t just for summer. By swapping the lime for cranberry and the simple syrup for peppermint, you get a winter refresher that feels light and crisp. It’s a nice break from all the heavy cream drinks.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz White Rum
  • 0.5 oz Lime Juice
  • 0.5 oz Peppermint Simple Syrup
  • Soda Water
  • Fresh Mint Leaves
  • Pomegranate Seeds or Cranberries (for color)

Instructions

  1. Muddle the mint leaves and peppermint syrup in the bottom of a highball glass.
  2. Fill the glass with ice.
  3. Add rum and lime juice.
  4. Top with soda water and stir gently.
  5. Throw in some pomegranate seeds to make it look like ornaments.

Be gentle when muddling. You want to release the oils, not shred the leaves into confetti.

6. Hot Peppermint Patty

When the weather outside is frightful, this drink is delightful. It’s basically spiked hot chocolate, but the peppermint makes it feel medicinal (in a good way).

Ingredients

  • 1 packet Hot Chocolate Mix (or homemade)
  • 1.5 oz Peppermint Schnapps
  • 0.5 oz Dark Crème de Cacao
  • Hot Water or Milk
  • Marshmallows

Instructions

  1. Prepare your hot chocolate with milk (water makes it too thin, let’s be real).
  2. Stir in the schnapps and Crème de Cacao.
  3. Top with marshmallows.
  4. Torch the marshmallows if you have a kitchen torch and want to show off.

Why Crème de Cacao? It boosts the chocolate flavor, preventing the schnapps from watering it down.

7. Spiked Peppermint Eggnog

Eggnog is divisive. You either love it or think it tastes like bubblegum batter. But adding peppermint cuts through the thick, eggy richness and creates a surprisingly balanced flavor profile.

Ingredients

  • 4 oz Eggnog (store-bought is fine, I won’t tell)
  • 1.5 oz Brandy or Bourbon
  • 0.5 oz Peppermint Schnapps
  • Fresh Nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Pour the eggnog, brandy, and schnapps into a glass.
  2. Stir well.
  3. Grate fresh nutmeg on top.
  4. Add a cinnamon stick for stirring.

FYI:

Serve this ice cold. Warm eggnog is… a choice I do not recommend. :/

8. Chocolate Peppermint Martini (The “Thin Mint”)

This is sophisticated elegance in a glass. It’s dark, rich, and not overly sweet. It relies on chocolate liqueur rather than syrup, giving it a silky mouthfeel.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz Vodka
  • 1.5 oz Chocolate Liqueur (Godiva is great)
  • 0.5 oz Peppermint Schnapps
  • Chocolate shavings for garnish

Instructions

  1. Chill your martini glass in the freezer for 10 minutes.
  2. Shake vodka, liqueur, and schnapps with ice.
  3. Strain into the frozen glass.
  4. Grate dark chocolate over the top.

Chilling the glass is crucial here. Since there is no ice in the drink, the glass keeps it at the perfect temperature.

Conclusion

There you have it—8 ways to drink your candy canes this year. Whether you want a cozy mug by the fire or a high-energy espresso martini for the party, peppermint is the secret weapon of holiday bartending.

My advice? Start with the Peppermint White Russian. It’s impossible to mess up and tastes like pure joy. Just be careful with the schnapps—it goes down smooth, but it catches up to you fast.

So, stock up your bar cart, smash some candy canes, and get festive. Cheers!

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