This is a peppermint martini recipe made with just four ingredients. If you’re looking for a dry, not-too-sweet peppermint martini, this recipe is for you! There is no cream or extra sugar in this festive cocktail. It’s for martini lovers who want a holiday twist!
If you love martinis, check out my peppermint espresso martini and my Christmas martini recipe!
Peppermint Martini Recipe
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 season-appropriate and tasty drinks.
I love that this is a proper martini with a peppermint twist, and it will surely get you into the holiday spirit! It is classy and has that hint of mint that makes you think of Christmas as soon as you take a sip.
Peppermint Martini 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.
How to Make a Peppermint Martini
- Rim the glass with water, then dip it directly into a small plate of crushed candy canes.
- In a cocktail shaker with ice, add the vermouth, peppermint schnapps, gin, and a little peppermint.
- 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!
Eden’s Tips and Recipe 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 than 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!
More Christmas Cocktail Recipes
If you love holiday cocktails like this, try some more of our favorite recipes!
- Candy Cane Christmas Punch
- Dirty Martini with Tequila
- How to Make a Lemon Drop
- Pretty Pink Cranberry
- Dirty Martini
Serve this martini with some delicious Christmas appetizers for a festive holiday party!
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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.
