Main Dishes

Peppermint Espresso Martinis Recipe

ByNethan Cole January 5, 2026January 5, 2026

Introduction

The Peppermint Espresso Martini is a festive twist on the classic cocktail, combining rich espresso, smooth vodka, and refreshing peppermint flavor. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights in, this drink delights with a chocolate peppermint rim and a hint of creamy sweetness.

The image shows a single creamy pale pink cocktail served in a tall, clear glass with a wide, ribbed bowl and a thin stem. The rim of the glass is coated with crushed red, white, and dark chocolate pieces, adding color and texture. The creamy drink is smooth on the surface and fills the glass just below the decorated rim. The glass sits on a white marbled surface with small red Christmas ornaments scattered around. The background is softly blurred with green pine branches and warm yellow fairy lights creating a festive atmosphere. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 oz vodka (vanilla vodka recommended, gluten free if needed)
2 oz Kahlua or coffee liqueur
3 oz fresh brewed espresso, cooled, or strong cold brew coffee
2 oz half & half (or dairy-free Nutpods or Califia Farms Peppermint Mocha creamer)
¼ tsp peppermint extract
Chocolate syrup (for rim)
Crushed candy canes (for rim)
6 espresso beans (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Dip the rim of two martini glasses into chocolate syrup to coat, then immediately dip them into crushed candy canes to create a festive rim.
Step 2: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the vodka, Kahlua, espresso, half & half (or creamer), and peppermint extract.
Step 3: Shake the mixture vigorously for 60 seconds until well chilled and frothy.
Step 4: Strain the cocktail evenly into the prepared glasses.
Step 5: Garnish each glass with three espresso beans. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For a mocha flavor, add 2 teaspoons of chocolate syrup to the shaker before shaking.
Make it dairy free by choosing Nutpods or Califia Farms Peppermint Mocha creamer instead of half & half.
Use vanilla vodka for a sweeter, richer flavor profile.
Make sure your espresso or coffee is cooled to avoid diluting the drink when shaken with ice.

Storage

This cocktail is best enjoyed fresh; however, you can prepare the espresso and coffee liqueur mix in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Shake with ice just before serving. Leftover martini is not recommended for storage due to the cream content and the loss of texture and flavor.

How to Serve

A creamy light tan drink fills a tall, clear glass with a wide, shallow bowl and a thin stem, standing on a white marbled surface. The drink reaches almost to the rim, which is covered with a ring of crushed red and white candy pieces mixed with chocolate, adding rough texture and color contrast. In the background, blurred green plants and small warm white lights create a soft festive look. Around the base of the glass, small shiny red ornaments lie scattered, enhancing the holiday feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular coffee instead of espresso?

Yes, strong cold brew or very concentrated coffee works well as a substitute if you don’t have espresso. It will provide the coffee flavor but might slightly alter the texture.

How can I make this cocktail vegan?

Use a dairy-free creamer like Nutpods or Califia Farms Peppermint Mocha instead of half & half to make the cocktail vegan while still keeping the creamy texture.

Peppermint Espresso Martinis Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 58 reviews

This Peppermint Espresso Martini offers a festive twist on the classic espresso martini by incorporating refreshing peppermint flavor. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you want a rich, creamy coffee cocktail with a burst of minty freshness, this cocktail combines vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and peppermint extract, finished with a chocolate and crushed candy cane rim for a delightful seasonal touch.

Author: Nethan
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Category: Cocktail
Method: Shaking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Martini

4 oz vodka (vanilla vodka can be used; look for gluten-free if needed)
2 oz Kahlua (or coffee liqueur)
3 oz fresh brewed espresso, cooled, or strong cold brew coffee
2 oz half & half (use Nutpods or Califia Farms Peppermint Mocha creamer for dairy-free version)
¼ tsp peppermint extract

Chocolate Peppermint Rims & Garnish

Chocolate syrup
Crushed candy canes
6 espresso beans (for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare Glass Rims: Dip the rims of two martini glasses in chocolate syrup to coat them evenly, then immediately dip the rims into crushed candy canes to create the festive chocolate peppermint rim.
Mix Cocktail: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the vodka, Kahlua, cooled espresso, half & half (or dairy-free creamer), and peppermint extract to the shaker.
Shake: Secure the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for 60 seconds to combine all ingredients thoroughly and chill the mixture.
Serve: Strain and divide the mixture evenly between the prepared martini glasses. Garnish each glass with 3 espresso beans on top. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

To add a mocha flavor, include 2 teaspoons of chocolate syrup in the shaker with the other ingredients.
For a dairy-free version, substitute the half & half with original or peppermint mocha flavored Nutpods creamer or Califia Farms Peppermint Mocha creamer.
Nutrition facts exclude the chocolate peppermint rim.
Shake well to ensure full flavor blending and proper chilling of the cocktail.

Keywords: Peppermint Espresso Martini, holiday cocktail, coffee cocktail, peppermint martini, espresso martini, Christmas drink, festive cocktail

Nethan Cole

Leave a Reply Cancel reply