peppermint espresso tini
This is your sign to make a peppermint espresso tini this holiday season! Espresso, peppermint schnapps, vodka and Kahlúa with a chocolate and crushed peppermint rim. ’tis the season ❤️
ingredients
- ✓chocolate syrup and crushed peppermint, for the rim
- ✓1 oz espresso
- ✓1 oz peppermint schnapps
- ✓1 oz vodka
- ✓1 oz creamer
- ✓2 oz Kahlúa
- ✓coffee beans, to top
directions
- 1Dip the rim of the glass in chocolate syrup, then in crushed peppermint.
- 2Shake the espresso, schnapps, vodka, creamer and Kahlúa over ice.
- 3Strain into the glass and top with coffee beans.
peppermint espresso martini variations
The recipe above: espresso, peppermint schnapps, vodka, creamer and Kahlúa with the chocolate and crushed peppermint rim.
Skip the vodka, schnapps and Kahlúa. Shake 1 oz espresso and 1 oz creamer with 2 oz cold brew, 1/2 oz peppermint syrup and 1/2 oz chocolate syrup, then keep the same rim.
Swap the creamer for 1 oz white chocolate liqueur and rim the glass with white chocolate syrup before the crushed peppermint.
Use 1 oz cold brew concentrate or 1 oz strong instant espresso in place of the shot. Cold brew concentrate is already cold, so it won’t melt the ice.
Tap “party pitcher” above for 6 drinks. Mix everything except the ice in a pitcher, keep it in the fridge, then shake 2 drinks at a time over ice when people want one.
tips for the best peppermint espresso martini
- chill the glasses. Put the martini glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes so the drink stays cold longer.
- let the espresso cool. Hot espresso melts the ice and waters the drink down, so pull the shot first and let it sit while you do the rims.
- crush the candy canes in a bag. Put candy canes in a zip-top bag and roll over them with a rolling pin, then pour the pieces onto a small plate for dipping.
- shake hard. Shake for a full 15 seconds to get the foam on top that holds the coffee beans.
- rim the glasses ahead. Dip the rims before guests arrive and keep the glasses in the freezer so the chocolate sets.
peppermint espresso martini FAQ
Can I make peppermint espresso martinis ahead of time?
Yes. Mix the espresso, schnapps, vodka, creamer and Kahlúa in a pitcher up to a day ahead and keep it in the fridge. Shake each drink over ice right before serving so it gets the foam on top.
Can I make it without an espresso machine?
Yes. Use cold brew concentrate or strong instant espresso in the same amount as the espresso shot.
What can I use instead of peppermint schnapps?
Peppermint syrup works and makes the drink sweeter and less strong. Start with 1/2 oz and add more to taste.
How do I get the crushed peppermint to stick to the rim?
Pour chocolate syrup onto a small plate, dip the rim of the glass in it, then press it straight into the crushed peppermint. The syrup holds the peppermint in place.
Can I make a non-alcoholic peppermint espresso martini?
Yes. Tap “mocktail” in the variations above for the swap.
other holiday cocktails to make
holiday mocktail (or cocktail)⏱ 5 min · 1 pitcher · sparkling pomegranate and blood orange with cranberries, orange slices and rosemary
ingredients
- 1/3 bottle sparkling pomegranate soda
- 1/3 bottle sparkling blood orange soda
- 1 small 8 oz bottle Topo Chico or sparkling water
- cranberries, orange slices and rosemary
- for the cocktail version: 3 oz elderflower liqueur for the whole batch, plus rosé and vodka to top
directions
- Add the pomegranate soda, blood orange soda and sparkling water to a pitcher with cranberries, orange slices and rosemary.
- For a mocktail, pour it over ice.
- For the alcoholic version, add the elderflower liqueur to the batch, then top each glass with rosé for a spritzer, or rosé plus 1 oz vodka for more of a cocktail.
mulled wine⏱ 25 min · 1 pot · merlot or zinfandel with mulling spices, oranges, brandy and whiskey
ingredients
- 1 bottle merlot or zinfandel
- 3 heaping tbsp mulling spices (you can buy them pre mixed at HEB!)
- 2 large oranges, sliced
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 1/2 to 1 cup whiskey
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- cinnamon sticks
directions
- Add the wine, mulling spices, 1 sliced orange and cinnamon sticks to a large pot over low heat. Cover and cook about 20 minutes.
- Take the lid off, add the brandy and whiskey and turn the heat to the lowest simmer to keep it warm.
- Serve with a slotted ladle to catch the spices and garnish with an orange slice and a cinnamon stick.
gingerbread matcha latte⏱ 5 min · 1 latte · matcha with ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves under frothed vanilla maple milk
ingredients
- 2 tsp to 1 tbsp matcha powder
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- a pinch of nutmeg
- a pinch of cloves
- 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- whipped cream and cinnamon, to top (optional)
directions
- Whisk the matcha and spices with 2 to 3 tbsp warm water until smooth, or use a frother.
- Warm the milk and froth it with the maple syrup and vanilla.
- Pour the milk over the matcha and top with whipped cream and cinnamon.
