The holiday season calls for something sweet, festive, and a little bit fancy, and this Candy Cane Martini checks all the boxes! With its creamy white chocolate and peppermint flavors, this is the ultimate Christmas peppermint martini. Perfect for holiday parties, cozy nights by the fire, or even as a fun Christmas Eve cocktail.
Whether you call it a peppermint martini or a white chocolate candy cane martini, it's sure to spread holiday cheer with every sip.
Festive holiday martinis
Just in time for Christmas - everyone's favorite cocktail, the classic martini, but with a holiday twist! These flavorful, fun cocktails are perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to your holiday celebrations. Whether you prefer a shaken or stirred martini, these festive drinks are sure to impress.
A few of my favorite seasonal martinis are this Gingerbread Martini, an Eggnog Martini, and, of course, the always popular Pumpkin Spice Martini.
Why you'll love this recipe
It's Festive and Fun - This martini doesn't just taste like Christmas, it looks like it too! It's the perfect Christmas cocktail with its red and white candy cane rim and creamy white hue.
Perfect Balance of Sweet and Peppermint - White chocolate brings sweetness, while peppermint schnapps and crushed candy canes add a refreshing minty flavor. It's a winter wonderland in a glass!
Easy to Make - Don't let the fancy look fool you. With a few simple ingredients and easy steps, this cocktail comes together quickly and is party-ready in minutes.
Great for Holiday Gatherings - This is the ultimate Christmas peppermint martini, sure to be a hit with family, friends, or your next holiday party.
Ingredients you'll need
This minty martini comes together with just a handful of ingredients, each bringing a little holiday magic to your glass.
White Chocolate Chips - Melts down for a smooth, creamy rim and a touch of sweetness in the glass.
Crushed Candy Canes - Adds the iconic peppermint flavor and a crunchy, festive rim.
White Chocolate Liqueur - A rich, sweet liqueur that adds creaminess and depth.
Vodka - The perfect base to balance the sweetness with a little kick.
Peppermint Schnapps - Brings that fresh, cool minty flavor we all know and love from classic candy canes.
Heavy Cream - Makes the martini deliciously creamy and smooth.
Ice - For chilling the drink and giving it that frosty holiday feel.
Candy Cane Garnish - A fun, festive touch to complete your holiday drink!
How to make a candy cane martini
Making this martini is as easy as it is fun. In just a few steps, you'll have a perfectly chilled, festive drink ready to serve.
For the candy cane rim:
- Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring in between. Pour onto a small plate. Dip the rim of the glass into the chocolate.
- Crush candy canes in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. Pour onto plate and dip the warm white chocolate rim in the crushed peppermint.
- Take the remining white chocolate and pour into the martini glasses. Swirl the glass to run it up the sides as well. Place glasses in freezer while making peppermint martini.
For the peppermint martini:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all ingredients - white chocolate liqueur, peppermint schnapps, vodka, and cream to shaker. Shake to mix and chill cocktail.
- Remove glasses from freezer and divide mixture between peppermint rimmed glasses.
Finish by garnishing with a mini candy cane and serve immediately. Cheers and Merry Christmas!
Recipe tips for success
For the best Candy Cane Martini, keep these tips in mind:
Freeze Your Glasses - This helps keep your martini nice and cold, and it also helps the candy cane rim stay intact.
Use High-Quality White Chocolate - White chocolate is a key flavor so choose a brand that melts smoothly and has a creamy taste. I like to use the Ghiradelli brand.
Shake Vigorously - To get that velvety texture, shake the cocktail shaker with enthusiasm! The heavy cream blends beautifully when well-chilled.
Recipe variations to customize the cocktail
Want to make this peppermint martini your own? Here are a few fun ways to switch things up:
Baileys Irish Cream Swap - Substitute the heavy cream with Baileys for an extra hint of Irish cream flavor.
No Cream Version - Skip the heavy cream for a lighter martini with more focus on the peppermint and white chocolate flavors. Up the flavor more by using vanilla vodka versus plain vodka.
Extra Minty with Peppermint Vodka - For a bolder peppermint flavor, use peppermint-flavored vodka or candy cane vodka.
Regular Chocolate - Prefer milk or dark chocolate? Swap the white chocolate chips for regular chocolate to create a chocolate peppermint twist.
Add a Splash of Coffee Liqueur - For a hint of mocha flavor, add a touch of coffee liqueur to the mix.
More holiday cocktail recipes
- Christmas Berry Cocktail
- Cranberry Mimosa
- Cranberry Whiskey Sour
- Peppermint White Russian
- Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail
- White Christmas Margarita
Find lots of easy recipes for cocktails to enjoy throughout the year.
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Candy Cane Martini
Ingredients
- ½ cup white chocolate chips melted
- ¼ cup crushed candy canes
- 6 ounces white chocolate liqueur
- 4 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces peppermint schnapps
- 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
- Ice
- 3 small candy canes
Instructions
- Place white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the chocolate is smooth. Pour onto a flat plate.
- Crush enough candy canes to make ¼ cup. Place on a flat plate.
- Dip the rim of a martini glass into the melted chocolate then into the crushed candy canes. Repeat with remaining glasses.
- Pour any remaining chocolate into the bottom of the glasses and swirl to coat the bottom and slightly up the sides. Place the glasses in the freezer while you make the drink.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the white chocolate liqueur, vodka, peppermint schnapps, and heavy cream. Shake well to chill.
- Fill 3 glasses and garnish each with a candy cane before serving.
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