This is the perfect after-dinner drink for the coffee lovers. Our Peppermint Espresso Martini is the perfect blend of boozy, frothy coffee, with a hint of mint! We love to garnish ours with crushed candy canes for a special holiday touch.
This cocktail can be enjoyed any time of year. Shaken, not stirred, you will love the lightly sweet minty vibes of this coffee-forward cocktail. Be sure to put this holiday-flavored drink
What is a Peppermint Espresso Martini?
A Peppermint Espresso Martini blends chilled coffee with vodka, Kahlúa and a touch of peppermint schnapps for a cool, minty finish. It’s bold, smooth and refreshing — and you can make it with decaf coffee if you want a lighter kick
Shake up our Eggnog Espresso Martini or a classic Eggnog Martini for the martini lover in your family.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Coffee-Forward: A bold espresso base gives this martini its rich, grown-up coffee flavor, decaf works great too.
- Minty Freshness: Peppermint schnapps adds a cool, bright lift that balances the deeper notes in the drink.
- Boozy Punch: Vodka and Kahlúa bring smooth warmth and an extra layer of coffee richness, making every sip feel festive.
Ingredients
To shake up this 4 ingredient recipe you'll just need a quick trip to the store.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Vodka: Typically, the base of a martini; I use regular vodka but you can choose your favorite, like Grey Goose.
- Espresso: Fresh espresso is the staple for this cocktail; ideally 2 ounces is best.
- Kahlua: A coffee flavored alcohol.
- Peppermint Schnapps: Offers the minty profile with additional boost punch. Can be substituted for peppermint extract or syrup.
For this peppermint cocktail recipe, you'll want to grab yourself a cocktail shaker, shot glass, measuring spoons and a shallow small plate (if rimming your glass).
Variations
- Peppermint Flavor Swaps: For an extra minty flavor, use peppermint vodka, instead of Schnapps. Alternatively, you can try a peppermint extract as well.
- Rim Variations: Instead of honey use chocolate syrup or melted chocolate to rim your martini glass. For an extra decadent drink, you can drizzle the inside of your class with chocolate sauce.
- Coffee: If you do not have an espresso machine you can use your favorite coffee. Whether it is a strong freshly roasted or cold brew concentrate, both would work well for the perfect cocktail.
- Caffeine Free: Use a decaf if preferred, or you can leave out the espresso all together and make a peppermint Kahlua martini!
- Sweetness Level: Adjust to your liking by adding some simple syrup.
- Creamy Option: Add a splash of cream, a flavored creamer or Baileys Irish Cream for a different flavor profile.
How to Make a Peppermint Espresso Martini
With minimal prep time, you'll have the best Peppermint Espresso Martini to enjoy! Check out the instructions to how easy it is to make.
If rimming a glass, add honey on a shallow plate. Dip the glass upside down, running the edge of the rim along the honey, and allow any excess to drip off.
Crush your candy canes (or hard candies) with a rolling pin in a plastic bag. Place the crushed candy canes or sugar on another small plate and dip to cover the honey. Allow any excess to drip off then set aside.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add vodka, your shot of espresso (or two), Kahlúa and Peppermint Schnapps.
Shake until very cold and strain the mixture into your two prepared martini glass.
Hint: I have an espresso maker, so I make fresh espresso then pop it in the fridge to cool before mixing my drink.
If you love warm, festive drinks, our Peppermint Mocha Recipe and Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate are more reader favorites.
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Recipe Tips
- Shaken/Stirred: Make sure you give it a shake; this helps blend the flavors and provides that nice frothy top.
- Glass: Use at least a 6-ounce, long-stemmed martini glass or coupe glass. This ensures the cocktail will stay cold (holding it by the stem).
- Garnishes: Place a few espresso beans on the foamy top for a classic espresso martini vibe. Or for a festive twist during the holiday season garnish the rim of your prepared martini glass with crushed peppermint candies and a mini candy cane.
- Chill your Ingredients: Pop your bottles or cocktail glass in the freezer for a half hour before for an extra chilly vibe.
Serving Suggestions
- Festive and Peppermint Pairings: Grab yourself some crushed peppermint candies and make some Peppermint Brownies, Peppermint Cookies or Costco Peppermint Bark.
- Chocolate Desserts: Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Mousse and Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bars
Peppermint Espresso Martini Recipe FAQs
It is not typical to add ice as it will dilute it more, but you can if you prefer.
To weaken the strength of alcohol you can use less or add more espresso. Alternatively, you can substitute the peppermint schnapps for peppermint extract. On the latter, you can make this cocktail stronger by using less espresso, or additional alcohol.
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Peppermint Espresso Martini
Equipment
- Shot Glass
- Cocktail Shaker
- Measuring Spoons
- Shallow Plates (if rimming)
Ingredients
- 2- ounce vodka
- 2 shots espresso about 60mL
- 1.5- ounce Kahlua
- 1- ounce peppermint schnapps
- ice for shaking
- 2-3 tablespoon honey for rimming (optional)
Instructions
- If rimming a glass, add honey on a shallow plate. Dip the glass upside down, running the edge of the rim along the honey, and allow any excess to drip off.
- Crush your candy canes (or hard candies) with a rolling pin in a plastic bag. Place the crushed candy canes or sugar on another small plate and dip to cover the honey. Allow any excess to drip off then set aside.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add vodka, your shot of espresso (or two), Kahlúa and Peppermint Schnapps.
- Shake until very cold and strain the mixture into your two prepared martini glass.
Notes
- Shaken/Stirred: Make sure you give it a shake; this helps blend the flavors and provides that nice frothy top.
- Glass: Use at least a 6-ounce, long-stemmed martini glass or coupe glass. This ensures the cocktail will stay cold (holding it by the stem).
- Garnishes: Place a few espresso beans on the foamy top for a classic espresso martini vibe. Or for a festive twist during the holiday season garnish the rim of your prepared martini glass with crushed peppermint candies and a mini candy cane.
- Chill your Ingredients: Pop your bottles or cocktail glass in the freezer for a half hour before for an extra chilly vibe.
- Fresh Espresso: I make fresh espresso shots, then pop it in the fridge to cool before mixing my drink.
- Garnishes are not included in the nutritional information.
Nutrition
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Eva Filer says
This is such a great recipe. It has a perfect amount of peppermint with a nice balance of coffee flavor!