The clock is counting down to Christmas…and if you are having a holiday celebration it’s probably time to organize your recipes and menus! This White Russian cocktail is a long time staple and we’ve added a peppermint twist!
I have never been one to order a drink like this during the holidays, but if I do say so myself this one is very tasty and festive.
The Peppermint White Russian Cocktail is actually very easy to make as your guests come in or make ahead to shake and pour. Who could turn away an offer of a candy cane rimmed glass? This makes the perfect cocktail hour, after dinner or late night by the fire drink.
You may have some of these spirits in your bar or pantry already, and now is the time of year to break them out! All you need is Kahlua liqueur, which is a coffee flavored liqueur, peppermint schnapps, your favorite vodka and cream or whole milk. Of course you can substitute some other kind of milk, such as almond, oat or soy, but it may not taste as creamy.
You can either crush candy canes yourself, or buy a bag already crushed. If using whole candy canes, unwrap them, lay on the cutting board and take a heavy flat bottom drinking glass and tap all along the candy cane until it is crushed nicely. If you want the rim to look a little more delicate add a little bit of sugar to the mix.
To rim the glasses, I used some honey around the rim to keep the canes on nicely, or you can use corn syrup as well. Dip the coated rims in the candy canes.
I think the larger square ice cubes look nice for this drink ( but not necessary) which you can make yourself if you have the ice trays at home, or I found them for sale at Bristol Farms in bulk which was nice for a party.
Kahlua is a delicious coffee liqueur, and if you want to change it up or if you don’t have on hand an Amaretto type liqueur would work as well.
The key holiday ingredient here is the peppermint schnapps. I like the DeKuyper peppermint schnapps as the bottle also has the red and white mints on the label and looks holiday.
Measure in the Kahlua coffee liqueur, vodka and peppermint schnapps. Add the cream at the end on the top, let sink down and stir.
Add a red and white striped straw or a candy cane, and Voila! Cheers!
Peppermint White Russian Cocktail
Serves 1
1 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
1 oz. Kahlua coffee liqueur
1 oz. Vodka
3 oz. Cream, milk or milk substitute such as soy, almond, oat
Candy canes to crush
Ice cubes
Red and white striped straws ( optional)
Take 2 or 3 candy canes ( unwrapped) and gently crush. You can also add a little sugar to the candy canes if you like. Rim your glass with honey or corn syrup and then turn the glass upside down and push into the candy canes until the rim is filled and looks good with the canes and there are no empty areas ( think adding salt to a glass for a margarita:).
Fill the glass with ice cubes, then using a shot glass, add peppermint schnapps, Kahlua, and vodka into the glass. Pour the cream over, and gently stir. Add the straw and or candy cane.
Enjoy and Cheers to the holidays!