‘Tis the season for a freshly shaken chilled glass of peppermint espresso martini. This dairy-free, minty, boozy and caffeinated holiday espresso martini is the perfect winter cocktail to sip at your next Christmas party.
‘Tis the season for a freshly shaken chilled glass of peppermint espresso martini. This dairy-free, minty, boozy, and caffeinated holiday espresso martini is the perfect winter cocktail to sip at your next Christmas party.
Let’s celebrate the holidays with this wintery peppermint espresso martini. This peppermint espresso martini recipe is made with vanilla vodka, Kahlua, espresso, and peppermint schnapps for the ultimate Christmas cocktail. Rim your martini coupe glass with crushed candy canes and your drink will be as filled with holiday spirit.
The espresso martini era is everything. And putting a festive spin on a classic espresso martini will be an iconic addition to your holiday parties. If you are looking for more holiday cocktail inspiration, check out our peppermint white Russian, Japanese Yuzu Whiskey Sour, and Matcha gin sour.
If you love espresso martinis and Christmas, this peppermint martini recipe was made for you. Here are three reasons why you will love this Christmas espresso martini.
Bold flavors and energizing. The espresso provides a robust coffee flavor and the peppermint adds a bright and invigorating twist for a deliciously well-balanced cocktail.
Festive and refreshing. When it comes to the holiday season, this peppermint espresso martini adds a touch of celebration that is as uplifting as it is refreshing.
Perfect for hosting. If you are hosting a holiday party, and want a fan-favorite cocktail that everyone will love, this holiday espresso martini will be an instant hit.
Kitchen Equipment
This peppermint espresso martini recipe is really easy and only needs two items of kitchen equipment.
Cocktail shaker: you will need a cocktail shaker to shake up all the ingredients with ice in this cocktail. I bought this cocktail shaker kit on Amazon and have used it for all of my cocktails!
Espresso Machine: you will need an espresso machine to create this cocktail at home. Alternatively, you can buy espresso at your local coffee shop and bring it home to create this cocktail.
Ingredients
This peppermint espresso martini recipe only contains 4 ingredients.
VanillaVodka: use your favorite vanilla-flavored vodka. Using vanilla-flavored vodka will eliminate the need to sweeten the cocktail with simple syrup or vanilla syrup.
Kahlua or coffee liqueur: Kahlua is a coffee and rum liqueur that adds a delicious bold flavoring to the cocktail. (You can also use Kahlua in my Tiramisu cake recipe as well!)
Espresso: make sure to use strong espresso coffee preferably brewed in an espresso machine with a lot of froth.
Peppermint Schnapps: peppermint schnapps add the peppermint flavor to this peppermint martini recipe.
Garnish
Candy Canes: for an added holiday touch, crush candy canes for added peppermint flavor.
Honey: to adhere the candy canes to the rim of your cocktail glass, line the cup with honey.
Substitutions and Additions
If you want to customize this peppermint martini recipe, here are some suggestions for different flavor profiles.
Substitutions
Vodka: instead of vanilla vodka, you can use regular vodka and sweetener.
Tequila: you can alternatively use tequila and a sweetener instead of vanilla vodka.
Sweetener: if you are using regular vodka, you can sweeten your cocktail with an ounce of simple syrup, vanilla syrup, caramel syrup, or hazelnut syrup.
Peppermint syrup or extract: if you want to reduce the level of alcohol content, you can use peppermint syrup or peppermint extract instead.
Coffee: while espresso is preferred, you can use your favorite cold brew or iced coffee as well.
Additions
Cream or Milk: if you’d like a creamier and less strong peppermint martini, add a splash of milk or cream.
How to Make Peppermint Espresso Martini
The espresso martini trend is 100% worth the hype. Especially since this Christmas espresso martini is so easy to make. Here are the steps for how to make the best espresso martini.
Rim the glass. Rim the edge of a glass with honey or simple syrup then dip in crushed candy canes.
Brew the espresso. Brew the espresso in your espresso machine, or simply buy espresso from your local coffee shop. Cool and set aside.
Shake. In a cocktail shaker, combine the espresso, vodka, and Kahlua with ice. Shake vigorously until well mixed and the foam has formed.
Strain and serve. Immediately, strain the espresso martini into a cocktail glass. Dust with espresso powder and coffee beans for garnish. Sip responsibly!
Tips for the Best Peppermint Espresso Martini
Finely crush the candy canes. For the peppermint rim, the finer the candy cane pieces are the easier it will hold along the rim.
Cool the coffee before mixing. Make sure to cool the espresso completely before shaking it with the other ingredients for a nice chilled cocktail.
To get a nice layer of foam, shake vigorously. You will need to create the foam yourself by shaking it in the cocktail shaker.
Pour the cocktail quickly. When pouring the holiday espresso martini cocktail into the glass, make sure to do it in one pour to ensure the foam ends up on top.
Serve in a chilled glass. Serve the peppermint martini in a chilled glass to maintain an ideal chilled temperature.
Storage Instructions
This peppermint martini recipe is best served immediately when shaken. However, you can store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. However, the foam will disappear and the flavors may alter over time.
Frequently Asked Q’s & A’s
Should I shake or stir this peppermint espresso martini?
To achieve the iconic frothy texture on top of the peppermint martini, you will need to shake it in a cocktail shaker.
Can I use different alcohol for this holiday espresso martini?
While vodka is recommended since it has a clean flavor that allows the espresso to shine, you can alternatively use tequila or gin instead.
How long should I shake this peppermint martini recipe?
I recommend shaking your Christmas espresso martini vigorously at shoulder level for about 15-20 seconds to achieve the desired frothy layer.
‘Tis the season for a freshly shaken chilled glass of peppermint espresso martini. This dairy-free, minty, boozy and caffeinated holiday espresso martini is the perfect winter cocktail to sip at your next Christmas party.
Rim the glass. Rim the edge of a glass with honey or simple syrup then dip in crushed candy canes.
Brew the espresso. Brew the espresso in your espresso machine, or simply buy espresso from your local coffee shop. Cool and set aside.
Shake. In a cocktail shaker, combine the espresso, vodka, and Kahlua with ice. Shake vigorously until well mixed and the foam has formed.
Strain and serve. Immediately, strain the espresso martini into a cocktail glass. Dust with espresso powder and coffee beans for garnish. Sip responsibly!
Notes
Finely crush the candy canes. For the peppermint rim, the finer the candy cane pieces are the easier it will hold along the rim.
Cool the coffee before mixing. Make sure to cool the espresso completely before shaking it with the other ingredients for a nice chilled cocktail.
To get a nice layer of foam, shake vigorously. You will need to create the foam yourself by shaking it in the cocktail shaker.
Pour the cocktail quickly. When pouring the holiday espresso martini cocktail into the glass, make sure to do it in one pour to ensure the foam ends up on top.
Serve in a chilled glass. Serve the peppermint martini in a chilled glass to maintain an ideal chilled temperature.
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