This is a classic peppermint martini recipe made with just four ingredients. If you’re looking for a dry, not-too-sweet peppermint martini this is the recipe for you! There is no cream or extra sugar in this festive cocktail. It’s for martini lovers who want a holiday twist!
The holiday season is upon us. 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 drinks that are season-appropriate and tasty as well.
This is a classic peppermint cocktail with just a few ingredients and a refreshing peppermint flavor. It’s a true martini with a peppermint twist and will be sure to get you into the holiday spirit!
Well, you can’t go wrong with a classic peppermint martini. Not only is it classy, but it also has that hint of mint that makes you think of Christmas as soon as you take a sip.
Before diving into this recipe, check out our Christmas martini recipe, pretty pink cranberry martini, and apple martini recipe!
Read on for our peppermint martini recipe that’s sure to be a hit!
What Is a Martini?
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 with a toothpick or a lemon twist on the rim. However, since this recipe is for a peppermint martini we garnish it with a mini candy cane, crushed candy cane, and peppermint!
How to Make An Easy 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 – Use a good quality gin when making a martini since it’s the main ingredient in the drink.
Vermouth – A dry vermouth works best in this martini.
Peppermint Schnapps – This is a peppermint flavor, distilled liquor that gives the cocktail the peppermint taste.
Small Candy Cane & Peppermint – Use these festive garnishes to rim the glass or add a little holiday cheer to the drink.
Directions
In a cocktail shaker with ice, add the vermouth, peppermint schnapps, gin, and a little peppermint.
Stir (or shake) the cocktail for about 30 seconds.
Strain into a martini glass rimmed with crushed candy canes and serve with a mini candy cane and a little peppermint!
Tips and Variations
- If you’re not a fan of gin you can easily swap it for a good-quality vodka! Vodka works just as well when making a peppermint martini. If you want a strong peppermint flavor, try using peppermint vodka!
- For a super peppermint flavor add a dash of peppermint extract to the drink. When we say dash, we mean dash! The extract is strong and you don’t need much.
- If you like a sweeter drink, add a little simple syrup.
How to Rim a Glass With a Crushed Candy Cane
Rimming your martini glasses with a crushed candy cane or crushed peppermint. This will be the cherry on top of your delicious and festive drinks! It’s very easy to do too.
Rim the glass with water, then dip it directly into a small plate of crushed candy canes.
Best Gin for Martinis
There are so many gins on the market, that it’s hard to know which ones are best for martinis! When making a martini, gin is one of the main ingredients, so a quality gin that has a smooth finish is highly recommended. Here are some of our suggestions:
Gray Whale
Bombay Sapphire
Sipsmith
Tanqueray
Hendrick’s
If you need more suggestions try one of these gins for martinis.
When to Serve a Peppermint Martini
This is a great cocktail to serve during the holidays or any time of the year if you love peppermint! Serve them on a chilly winter night by the fire or for a Christmas eve dinner party. Here are some more fun occasions to serve this drink:
- Holiday Movie Night
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, bark, and herbs.There are two types of vermouth: sweet and dry. You’ll want to use dry vermouth for most martinis, although there are exceptions.
Peppermint schnapps is a distilled spirit that has 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.
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.
Either! Stirring will give you a smoother and silkier taste then shaking. However, we prefer to shake our peppermint martini as it makes the drink extra cold and 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 Christmas Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love
If you love holiday cocktails like this, try some more of our favorite recipes!
Cucumber Martini with Ginger Vodka
Let us know if you make this peppermint martini by leaving a comment and review below!
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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.
Nutrition
