How to Make Peppermint Vodka

Get in the holiday spirit by making Peppermint Vodka. This homemade infused alcohol creates so many unique cocktails for the season and is sure to add good cheer when shared! All you need are two ingredients: candy canes and vodka.

Love peppermint at the holidays? Don’t miss Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, Mason Jar Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix and Peppermint Milkshakes!

A jar of infused Peppermint Vodka sits on a holiday cloth with candy canes surrounding it

The Candy Cane Vodka recipe was originally published on December 2, 2013. The photographs, along with the text of this blog post, were updated and republished in December 2020.

Now that it’s December, it is perfectly acceptable to listen to Christmas music at full blast. It’s also acceptable to start baking cookies for your co-workers, friends and neighbors to share some holiday cheer.

And it’s totally acceptable to steep some holiday-flavored vodka, like this Peppermint Vodka, to spice up a party… or your regular liquor cabinet just because.

Also? This infused vodka is really delicious in hot chocolate.

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    Why I love this recipe:

    This candy cane-infused vodka recipe literally calls for just two ingredients: vodka and candy canes.

    And since you’re flavoring the vodka, you don’t need to go all-out and purchase a fancier brand. Anything you’ve got on hand will work.

    This Peppermint Vodka recipe is also super fun for gifting, so if you’ve got people in your life who would love a minty vodka, now is the time to infuse a mason jar for them in preparation!

    Other holiday sippers you might enjoy: Framboise Champagne Cocktail | Strawberry White Hot Chocolate | Citrus Cranberry Sangria | Pomegranate Hot Buttered Rum | Peppermint White Russian

    Looking for a drink? Head on over to my Drink Recipe Index for all the recipe inspiration.

    Two shot glasses of peppermint vodka on a marble surface next to a mason jar full of the candy cane-infused vodka

    What do I need to make Peppermint Vodka?

    The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.

    Let’s talk ingredients!

    In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.

    Here’s what you need:

    • Candy canes
    • Vodka—whatever you’ve got on hand. Since you’re infusing this vodka with peppermint flavor, you don’t necessarily need to have the nice stuff you’d use in a vodka-forward cocktail, like a Classic Moscow Mule.

    How to make Peppermint Vodka

    First and foremost, unwrap the candy canes and break them in half. Breaking them in half will make it easier to fit them all into your jar. 😉

    Place the candy canes in a 16 oz. mason jar, and pour the vodka on top of them.

    Allow the vodka and candy canes a few hours to steep. This timeline will be different for everyone because it will depend on the candy canes themselves, as well as the temperature of your house. If it’s warmer in your home, the candy canes should dissolve faster into the vodka.

    Once they are completely dissolved, it’ll be good to drink after you shake it up!

    Store in a cool, dry place in the mason jar for as long as it takes to drink this up. (Seriously. This stuff won’t go bad.)

    peppermint vodka in a glass jar with ornaments

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What can I add this Candy Cane Vodka to?

    You can sip this vodka because it’s nice and sweet, but if you want to add it to a cocktail, I suggest adding it to the following because these flavors taste good with peppermint.

    What kind of soda is good with peppermint vodka?

    I would go with a classic cola, like Coca-Cola or Pepsi.

    How long does this infused vodka last?

    In all honesty, I don’t think this goes bad. You might notice that candy cane sediment settles at the bottom of your jar if you don’t touch it for a long time, but it can easily be stirred right back in using a cocktail spoon or even giving the sealed mason jar a good shake.

    What’s the easiest way to peel a candy cane?

    I’ve struggled with those wrappers and have discovered that using scissors to snip off the end of the wrapper at the bottom of the candy cane works best. Gently peel the plastic wrap back to free the candy cane! (I included a photo below to assist!)

    Close up of a half-peeled candy cane on marble

    Sound good?

    Now, let’s make some Christmas-flavored homemade infused vodka!

    A jar of infused Peppermint Vodka sits on a holiday cloth with candy canes surrounding it
    Yield: 6 (2 oz.) servings

    Candy Cane Vodka

    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Infusion Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

    Get in the holiday spirit by making homemade Peppermint Vodka. It's easier than you think! Candy canes dissolve in a jar of vodka to create this simple infused alcohol. Mix Candy Cane Vodka into seasonal mixed drinks at holiday parties or add a shot to your hot chocolate for even more festive flavor. This infused alcohol creates so many unique cocktails for the season and is sure to add good cheer when shared with friends and family!

    Ingredients

    • 8 candy canes, regular-sized
    • 1 ½ cups vodka

    Instructions

    1. Unwrap the candy canes and break in half.
    2. Place the candy canes in a 16 oz. mason jar.
    3. Pour the vodka on top of the candy canes.
    4. Allow the vodka and candy canes a few hours to steep. The candy canes will dissolve in the vodka, and then it'll be good to drink after you shake it up!
    5. Store in a cool, dry place in the mason jar for as long as it takes to drink this up.

    Notes

    Adapted from Shutterbean.

    If the jar sits for a while, silt will gathering at the bottom of it. Shake the jar well to mix back in the candy cane pieces before pouring.

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    6

    Serving Size:

    2 oz. serving

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 203Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 0gSugar: 12gProtein: 0g

    Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.

    How much did you love this recipe?

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    Have you ever infused alcohol before?

    Could I interest you in some Candy Cane Vodka this season?

    Candy canes are shown inside a mason jar as they infuse with vodka to make Candy Cane Vodka
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    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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    61 Comments

    1. Omg i’ve been looking everywhere to find a nice candy cane vodka recipe to suit my taste. This one is just the perfect one. Thanks!

    2. Oooohh, I can’t wait for the peppermint!!! And I think I’m also going to try, a couple of the other flavored candy canes, like green apple….. that’s always good with hot apple cider or Sprite. I’ll have to see what else is left, that sounds good, hahaha!!! What a great idea!! I know that the Skittles flavors aren’t as over-poweringly sweet, as the Jolly Ranchers are…… just an FYI to those that commented on that. Thanks so much for this idea!!
      Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!

      1. HOORAY! So happy you’re going to give this a try, Becca, and will try some different flavors of candy canes, too. That sounds like fun and like a delicious way to celebrate the season. Merry Christmas to you! I hope you and yours enjoy this peppermint goodness all season long.

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