Christmas Peppermint Espresso Martini

The holidays always make me crave something a little special after dinner, and this Christmas-inspired espresso martini has become my go-to evening treat. Maybe it’s the combination of coffee and mint that gets me in the festive spirit, or perhaps it’s just that everything tastes better when there’s a hint of peppermint around. 

As someone who loves hosting holiday gatherings, I’ve noticed that guests perk up whenever I mention I’m mixing these after dinner. It’s become such a hit that friends now expect it at our annual Christmas party.

The best part? You can prep most of the ingredients ahead of time, which means more mingling and less time stuck behind the bar. And let’s be honest – who doesn’t need a little coffee kick to keep the holiday celebrations going?

What Kind of Vodka Should I Use?

For this festive cocktail, you’ll want to use a good quality peppermint vodka as your base spirit.

If you can’t find peppermint vodka at your local store, you can easily make your own by infusing regular vodka with candy canes or pure peppermint extract for 24-48 hours.

When choosing your vodka, stick with a mid-range brand that’s smooth and clean-tasting – you don’t need to splurge on top-shelf, but avoid the bottom shelf options that might leave a harsh aftertaste.

Regular vodka brands like Absolut, Stolichnaya, or Smirnoff work well for infusing with peppermint, as they provide a neutral base that lets the minty flavor shine through.

Options for Substitutions

Need to switch things up with this festive cocktail? Here are some handy substitutions:

• Peppermint vodka: Can’t find peppermint vodka? Use regular vodka and add 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract, or make your own by steeping a candy cane in regular vodka for 4 hours.
• Coffee liqueur: Kahlúa is common, but any coffee liqueur works. In a pinch, mix 1 tablespoon strong coffee with 1 teaspoon sugar as a substitute.
• Espresso: No espresso machine? No problem! Use strong brewed coffee (doubled in strength), cold brew concentrate, or even instant espresso powder mixed with hot water and cooled.
• Simple syrup: Out of simple syrup? Mix equal parts sugar and hot water until dissolved, then cool. Or use agave nectar or honey (use a bit less as they’re sweeter).
• Peppermint candies: These are mainly for garnish, so feel free to skip them or use chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, or a coffee bean for decoration instead.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when crafting an espresso martini is using hot or warm espresso, which will melt the ice too quickly and result in a watered-down drink – always let your espresso cool completely or prep it ahead of time.

A common error is skipping the vigorous shake with ice, but this crucial step creates that signature frothy top layer that makes espresso martinis so special – shake for at least 20 seconds until the shaker feels ice cold.

For the perfect balance of flavors, avoid eyeballing your measurements since even small variations can throw off the ratio of coffee to alcohol – use a proper jigger or measuring spoon to ensure consistency.

If you’re rimming the glass with crushed peppermint, make sure to moisten the rim first with a lemon wedge or simple syrup, and only rim the glass right before serving to prevent the candy from melting.

Storage Instructions

Keep Cold: Once mixed, this festive martini is best enjoyed right away while it’s perfectly chilled. If you need to set it down for a few minutes during your party, pop it in the fridge to maintain that ideal temperature. The crushed peppermint rim might start dissolving after about 30 minutes, so it’s best to serve these fresh.

Ingredient Tips: Make your life easier by preparing the crushed peppermint ahead of time – it’ll stay fresh in an airtight container for several weeks. You can also keep cooled espresso or cold brew concentrate in the fridge for up to a week, ready for whenever the martini mood strikes!

Preparation Time	5-10 minutes
Cooking Time	0-0 minutes
Total Time	5-10 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Ingredients

• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1/4 cup peppermint vodka (2 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur (1/2 ounce)
• 2 tablespoons cooled espresso (or cold brew concentrate, 1 ounce)
• 1 tablespoon simple syrup (1/2 ounce)
• 3-4 crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (optional)

Step 1: Prepare the Cocktail Shaker

Begin by adding ice to a cocktail shaker.

Then, pour in the peppermint vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup.

You can adjust the quantities based on your taste preference, but a standard mix might include 1 ounce of peppermint vodka, 1 ounce of coffee liqueur, 1 shot of espresso, and 0.5 ounce of simple syrup.

Step 2: Shake the Mixture

Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for at least 10-15 seconds, or until the mixture becomes frothy.

The shaking action will mix the ingredients well and create a nice foam that adds to the texture of the drink.

Step 3: Prepare the Cocktail Glass

While shaking, if you want to add a festive touch, you can prepare the cocktail glass with a candy rim.

To do this, moisten the rim of the glass with some syrup or water, and then dip it into crushed candy canes or peppermint candy for a sugary, decorative rim.

Step 4: Pour and Serve

Once the mixture is well-shaken and frothy, pour it into the prepared cocktail glass.

Shake the shaker a bit to let out all of the foam and ensure you get as much of the frothy goodness as possible.

Serve the cocktail immediately to enjoy it at its best.

Cheers!

Enjoy your peppermint espresso martini!