A Candy cane martini is sure to add festive cheer to your holiday cocktail line-up. It’s cool and creamy, just a little sweet, and tastes like a peppermint candy cane. And this tasty holiday martini is as pretty as it is delicious, with a garnish of crushed candy canes and an extra candy cane! This peppermint martini may just become your favorite Christmas cocktail.
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Why we love this festive drink
- Fun. The holiday season is the time for fun cocktails (try this mistletoe margarita next), and this candy cane martini, with its pretty candy cane rim and delightful peppermint flavor fits the bill perfectly.
- Easy. Whip up this candy cane martini recipe in just minutes, with a just a few simple ingredients. Make a large batch of these holiday martinis in a pitcher for your holiday party. Or just shake up just enough for two to sip while cozying up with your favorite holiday movies.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Peppermint Schnapps. Can be found in the liqueur section of your local liquor store. Peppermint schnapps is a popular addition to holiday cocktails.
- Vanilla vodka. I’m using Smirnoff’s here, but there are many other vodka brands that have a vanilla flavor. When I want to be extra fancy and upscale with this cocktail (and others), I use Grey Goose La Vanille.
- Cream. You can use half and half, or whipping cream for an extra creamy martini. Or make an equally delicious, but less rich version using almond milk. I like to do this when we make a pitcher of these candy cane martinis.
- Candy canes. Use regular candy canes, or mini candy canes. You will be crushing some of them to coat the rim of the glass, and using more for garnish.
- Agave syrup. I use agave syrup for the rims of the martini glasses to help the crushed candy cane pieces adhere. You can also use it as an optional sweetener for the martini. You can also use simple syrup, or light corn syrup.
How to make candy cane martinis, step by step
- Put two of the candy canes in a plastic bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin or a meat mallet to crush the candy canes into small pieces.
- Spread the crushed flakes of peppermint on a small plate. Invert each glass in the crushed candy canes, turning to cover the rims.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with a strainer half full with ice.
- Add the cream, peppermint schnapps, vanilla vodka, and agave syrup, if using.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, then strain into the prepared glasses. Serve and enjoy.
Tips and variations
- Large batch. This peppermint cocktail is perfect for making a large batch for a holiday cocktail party. If you want to make a pitcher of these, don’t use cream. I substitute almond milk, and add an oz of cream liqueur, like Baily’s Irish cream, per drink. Mix up a pitcher and chill in the fridge for at least a couple of hours and give it a stir before serving.
- Extra peppermint flavor. If you love peppermint, replace the vanilla vodka with peppermint vodka or candy cane vodka for a more intensely flavored drink.
- Chocolate mint. Make a white chocolate candy cane martini! Add an ounce per drink of a white chocolate liqueur, such as crème de cacao.
- Sweetener. Use the optional agave syrup, corn syrup, or simple syrup, to sweeten the candy cane martinis if you like it sweet. You can also submerge the candy canes into the drink and they will dissolve, adding their sweetness.
- Garnish. If you don’t have candy canes, crushed peppermints work just as well to decorate the martini glass rim.
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Recipe
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Candy Cane Martini
A Candy cane martini will add festive cheer to your holiday cocktail line-up. Cool and creamy, just a little sweet, and tastes like a peppermint candy cane. And this tasty holiday martini is as pretty as it is delicious, with a garnish of with crushed candy canes.
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Servings: 2
Calories: 363kcal
Instructions
Put two of the candy canes in a plastic bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin or a meat mallet to crush the candy canes into small pieces.
Spread the the crushed candy canes on a small plate.
Use your finger to rim each martini glass with syrup.
Invert each glass in the crushed candy canes, turning to cover the rims.
Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice.
Add the cream, peppermint schnapps, vanilla vodka, and agave syrup, if using.
Put the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
Strain into the prepared martini glasses.
Garnish each drink with a candy cane and serve.
Notes
- Large batch. This peppermint cocktail is perfect for making a large batch for a holiday cocktail party. If you want to make a pitcher of these, don’t use cream. I substitute almond milk, and add an oz of cream liqueur, like Baily’s Irish cream, per drink. Mix up a pitcher and chill in the fridge for at least a couple of hours and give it a stir before serving.
- Extra peppermint flavor. If you love peppermint, replace the vanilla vodka with peppermint vodka or candy cane vodka for a more intensely flavored drink.
- Chocolate mint. Make a white chocolate candy cane martini! Add an ounce per drink of a white chocolate liqueur, such as crème de cacao.
- Sweetener. Use the optional agave syrup, corn syrup, or simple syrup, to sweeten the candy cane martinis if you like it sweet. You can also submerge the candy canes into the drink and they will dissolve, adding their sweetness.
- Garnish. If you don’t have candy canes, crushed peppermints work just as well to decorate the martini glass rim.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 151mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 401IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 0.1mg