Peppermint White Russian

A Peppermint White Russian is a fun twist on a classic cocktail. Combining just three ingredients, this peppermint schnapps drink is easy to make and even easier to sip. It’s perfect for the holidays with a candy cane rim! Makes 1 drink, but easily doubled or tripled.

The first time I’d ever heard of a White Russian cocktail, I was watching a movie with friends in college.

Well, ever since learning of this cocktail, I’d wondered how it would taste, but it took me years to finally take the plunge because the combination of vodka with cream (or half-and-half) and coffee liqueur sounded dangerous.

Once I’d tried it, I wondered how it would taste with a peppermint twist. And let me tell you—it’s an utter treat.

Why I love this recipe:

This White Russian recipe is creamy, smooth and utterly delicious. Also, the peppermint balances out the coffee flavors perfectly.

Most Peppermint White Russian recipes call for peppermint schnapps, vodka, coffee liqueur and cream/half-and-half/milk. This recipe omits the vodka and doubles down on the peppermint schnapps for extra peppermint flavor.

To me, it’s a winner!

Also, I tested this with family members. Everyone happily sipped theirs and sang praises about the balance of peppermint with coffee and the delicious creaminess of this drink, too.

Whether you’re looking for a Christmas cocktail for Christmas Eve, a holiday party or just because, this is the PERFECT drink to mix up and serve!

Other holiday cocktails to try: Baileys Coffee | Cranberry Mule | Gourmet Vanilla Hot Chocolate | How to make Cranberry Bellinis | Cranberry Moscow Mule (Yule Mule) | Blizzard Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail | White Christmas Martini

Need mixed drink inspiration? Check out my Cocktail Recipe Index for more ideas.

What you need to make this Christmas cocktail:

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• Old fashioned glasses
• Cocktail spoon
• Big square ice cube molds

In addition to these tools, you’re going to need a few ingredients, too:

• Peppermint Schnapps: This is the star of the show, folks. While you could use homemade Candy Cane Vodka in this drink, I love the easy and deliciousness of peppermint schnapps. Schnapps is a distilled spirit that’s flavored with fruit, herbs or spices. Peppermint Schnapps is a liquor flavored with peppermint, and it tastes like a candy cane.
• Coffee Liqueur: Coffee liqueur adds wonderful flavor to any drink. Depending on the brand, it’s made with a spirit (like rum), sugar and coffee beans. Kahlua is my go-to coffee liquor, but it’s certainly not the only one available on the market.
• Heavy whipping cream: While you could use whole milk or half-and-half, I really love the decadence that heavy whipping cream offers. It’s a nice balance to the alcohol in this cocktail, too.
• White chocolate or white chocolate melts: we’ll use this to rim our glasses! Plan to melt about ¼ cup of chips or melts to dip your glass(es) in. Alternately, you could use simple syrup in place of this, though I really like how the white chocolate melts help hold the candy canes in place without running.
• Peppermint or candy canes: if you’re making this Christmas cocktail, you’ve GOT to use crushed candy canes for the most festive rim ever!

How to make a Peppermint White Russian

Rim your glasses. Melt white chocolate (or white chocolate melts) and dip the rim(s) of your glass(es) into it. There doesn’t need to be a ton on this, so don’t feel like you need to melt a lot of chocolate! Dip the glass(es) into the crushed candy canes for a festive candy cane rim.

Make the drink. Place a large ice cube in your prepared glass. Pour in the peppermint schnapps, then the coffee liqueur. Top with the heavy cream, and stir until combined.

Serve immediately. Garnish with a mini candy cane, if you so choose!

Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips

These are the perfect cocktail for a holiday party or any type of holiday gathering because it’s festive, delicious, and simple.

If I were serving this peppermint schnapps drink at a party, here’s how I’d do it to make it as simple as possible:

• Rim glasses ahead of time. This will make it easier for you or guests who are mixing their own drinks! Also, you can rim a batch of glasses really quickly.
• Clear off a flat space in your kitchen/dining room and turn it into a makeshift bar. (You could also use a bar cart for this.) Set out the prepared glasses with this recipe below and the bottles of liquor so guests can mix their own!

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick tips and tricks to the best Christmas White Russian:

• Don’t try to substitute out the peppermint schnapps. It’s the element of this cocktail that turns it from a classic White Russian drink into a Peppermint White Russian.
• Use the heavy cream. While you could make this recipe with half-and-half or even whole milk, I really liked the decadence of the heavy cream. It balances out the liquors nicely and makes this easy to sip.

Other peppermint schnapps drinks and Christmas cocktails:

• Peppermint White Chocolate Martini
• Cranberry Sparkler Mocktail