This is a classic peppermint martini recipe made with just four ingredients. This recipe is for you if you’re looking for a dry, not too sweet peppermint martini! There is no cream or extra sugar in this festive cocktail. It’s for martini lovers who want a holiday twist!
Whether you’re having a festive Friday yourself, hosting a holiday brunch, or just relaxing with your loved ones, you want to serve up some season-appropriate and tasty drinks.
Before we dive into this recipe, check out our Christmas martini recipe, our pretty pink cranberry martini, and our apple martini recipe!
Well, you can’t go wrong with a classic peppermint martini. Not only is it classy, but it also has that hit of mint that makes you think of Christmas as soon as you take a sip.
Read on for our peppermint martini recipe that’s sure to be a hit!
What Is a Martini?
Table of Contents
A martini is considered a cocktail. The base ingredients are gin and vermouth, and you’re free to add extra ingredients to make it special. Martinis are usually garnished with an olive that has a toothpick through it or a lemon twist on the rim. However, since this recipe is for a peppermint martini, we garnish it with a mini or crushed candy cane, and peppermint!
What Is Vermouth?
Many people think that vermouth is a spirit, but it’s actually an aromatized fortified wine. This means it has botanicals in it, such as roots, spices, flowers, seeds, barks, and herbs.
There are two types of vermouth: sweet and dry. Although exceptions exist, you’ll want to use dry vermouth for most martinis.
Is Peppermint Schnapps a Vodka?
Peppermint schnapps is a distilled spirit with peppermint flavoring added to clear grain spirit for that unique kick. While it’s a spirit, it’s not a true vodka.
You can consider it a “light” vodka since it’s very similar. Because of this, schnapps is an acceptable substitute for vodka in cocktail recipes if you don’t have any on hand.
Best Gin for Martinis
There are so many gins on the market that it’s hard to know which ones are best for martinis! Gin is one of the main ingredients when making a martini, so a quality gin with a smooth finish is highly recommended. Here are some of our suggestions:
Gray Whale
Sipsmith
If you need more suggestions, try one of these gins for martinis.
How to Make a Peppermint Martini
You’ll need martini glasses, a cocktail jigger, a cocktail shaker, a long spoon to stir, and a lot of mini candy canes and peppermints!
Ingredients
Gin
Candy Canes & Peppermint
Directions
1 — In a cocktail shaker with ice, add the vermouth, peppermint schnapps, gin, and a little peppermint.
2 — Stir (or shake) the cocktail for about 30 seconds.
3 — Strain into a martini glass rimmed with crushed candy canes and serve with a mini candy cane and a little peppermint!
How Do You Rim a Glass With a Crushed Candy Cane?
Rimming your martini glasses with crushed candy cane bits will be the cherry on top of your delicious and festive drinks! It’s very easy, and you just need crushed candy cane and marshmallow creme.
Put the marshmallow creme on a plate, turn your glass upside-down, and dip it in, so the creme is evenly spread across the rim. Put the crushed candy cane in a bowl and dip your upside-down martini glass into it firmly. And you’re done!
Are Creme de Menthe and Peppermint Schnapps the Same?
No, creme de menthe and peppermint schnapps aren’t the same. Both are made of grain alcohol and peppermint flavoring. However, creme de menthe has a lower alcohol content, is sweeter, and has a less intense peppermint taste.
Shake or Stir?
Either! Stirring will give you a smoother and silkier taste than shaking. However, we actually prefer to shake our peppermint martini as it makes the drink extra cold and also dilutes the alcohol just a little. Whether you shake or stir, do it with a peppermint inside to give the drink a very light shade of pink!
Vodka Martini
If you’re not a gin fan, you can easily swap it for a good quality vodka! Vodka works just as well when making a peppermint martini.
Sip on a Tasty Peppermint Martini
Now that you know how to make a peppermint martini, it’s about time you go pick up some ingredients. Get to mixing and serving your guests with a tasty martini they’ll never forget!
Serve this martini with some delicious Christmas appetizers for a festive holiday party!
More Recipes You’ll Love
Cucumber Martini with Ginger Vodka
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Peppermint Martini
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Gin
- 1 ounce Vermouth, dry
- 1 ounce Peppermint Schnapps
- 1 peppermint
- 3 mini candy canes, two to crush and line the rim and one to garnish with
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, filled with ice add the gin, vermouth, schnapps, and a peppermint.
- Stir (or shake) for 30 seconds.
- If you're lining the rim of the martini glass, crush the candy canes on a plate. Then wet the rim of the glass and roll it in the crushed candy cane.
- Strain the cocktail into a martini glass and garnish with a candy cane.
