This Festive Peppermint Espresso Martini is a great way to dress up your holiday drinks. If you love an espresso martini, why not put a festive twist on it with some peppermint vodka?
» Try our Classic Espresso Martini or this tasty Pink Peppermint Martini.
Coffee and peppermint go really well together, and this holiday martini is a great way to bring it all together. It requires just 4 ingredients: espresso, coffee liqueur, peppermint vodka, and simple syrup.
Dress up the rim of the glass with a little chocolate and crushed candy canes. I like to use white chocolate around the rim for a snowy, chilled look.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Espresso – Try to use espresso made in a espresso machine, so it’s robust and strong.
- Coffee liqueur – I used Kahlua in this recipe.
- Peppermint Vodka – Smirnoff Peppermint Twist is good or Pinnacle Peppermint Bark or make your own with candy canes.
- Simple syrup – Use your own homemade simple syrup or use store bought
- Ice
- Garnish – Melted and shaved chocolate and crushed candy cane.
How to Make a Peppermint Espresso Martini
Start with your martini glasses. The best festive peppermint coffee martini has chocolate (I like to use white chocolate) and peppermint on the rim of the glass. It’s beautiful and exciting to serve.
You’ll need to melt some of the chocolate and dip your glass in it. To do this, I just put it in the microwave for a few seconds until it’s just melted. Don’t let it go for too long or it will burn. You can also use a double boiler method or bain marie.
After you’ve rimmed the glass with chocolate, dip it in the crushed candy cane, then tip it back up and let it dry. To crush the candy canes, you can put them in a plastic bag and hit them with something, like a rolling pin or meat mallet until they’re the right size.
It’s best to make your coffee in an espresso machine so it’s robust and strong. Regular black coffee isn’t usually strong enough. That’s why this is called an Espresso martini. Once the espresso is brewed, let it cool completely before using it so it doesn’t melt the ice.
Next, add ice to your cocktail shaker. Pour in the cooled espresso, coffee liqueur, peppermint vodka, and simple syrup. Shake it really well to chill it and form a nice thick foam. Pour it into the martini glass. If you prefer not to have a thick foam, just don’t shake it vigorously.
Don’t Have an Espresso Machine?
It’s always best to make espresso for this cocktail with an espresso machine because it results in a stronger, more bold shot of coffee. If you don’t have an espresso machine, there are a few things you can do.
Get espresso powder to make your shot of coffee, buy a few shots of espresso at a café (depending on how many cocktails you’re making), or brew a really strong rich black coffee.
What Coffee Liqueur and Vodka to Use
There are many brands of coffee liqueur and peppermint vodka you can use. No need to stress about what brand you use. I have used Kahlua and Smirnoff Peppermint Twist vodka.
Others you could use are Kahlua Mint Mocha, Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, Tia Maria coffee liqueur, or Kamora Coffee Liqueur. For Vodka, try Pinnacle Peppermint Bark vodka or you can use regular vodka mixed with Peppermint Schnapps. I don’t recommend using peppermint extract, unless you only use one drop. That stuff is potent!
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Tips & Notes
- You can buy peppermint crunch in a bag or just crush up some candy canes.
- If you can’t find peppermint vodka, use 1 1/2 ounces vodka and 1/2 ounce peppermint schnapps.
- If you don’t have an espresso maker, use strong black coffee.
- Most espressos when shook vigorously will create a nice foam on the top of your cocktail. If you don’t want a foam topping, shake carefully.
Other Festive Cocktails to Try
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Peppermint Espresso Martini
This festive cocktail will jumpstart your night with a jolt of caffeine and a splash of peppermint.
Ingredients
- 3 chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon peppermint pieces (or crushed candy cane)
- 2 ounces peppermint vodka (like Smirnoff Peppermint)
- 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
- 1 ounce espresso, freshly brewed and cooled
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
Instructions
- Spread peppermint pieces on a plate.
- Melt chocolate in the microwave for 15 seconds at a time, stirring, until melted.
- Rim the glass with chocolate and immediately dip into the peppermint pieces.
- Combine vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Vigorously shake. Pour into the martini glass.
Notes
- You can buy peppermint crunch in a bag or just crush up some candy canes.
- If you can't find peppermint vodka, use 1 1/2 ounces vodka and 1/2 ounce peppermint schnapps.
- If you don't have an espresso maker, use strong black coffee.
- Most espressos when shook vigorously will create a nice foam on the top of your cocktail. If you don't want a foam topping, shake carefully.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 412Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 19mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 6gSugar: 40gProtein: 4g
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Laura is the founder and editor of the travel blogs Savored Sips and Savored Journeys. She is dedicated to sharing the best information about drinks found around the world.
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