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 peppermint cocktail 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 cocktail recipes 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
What you need to make this Christmas cocktail:
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- Old fashioned glasses (or martini glasses, if you’d prefer)
- Cocktail spoon
- Big square ice cube molds
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 is what you need to grab at the liquor store:
- Peppermint Schnapps — this is the star of the show, folks. While you could use homemade peppermint 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 on the rim of the glass. 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 peppermint candies 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!
- Offer a variation on this drink! If some of your people don’t dig peppermint, offer them something different. This Salted Caramel White Russian has similar cozy vibes without the mint.
Frequently Asked Questions
A White Russian adds a splash of cream or milk, while a Black Russian does not.
Yes, it can go bad, but coffee liqueurs have a long shelf-life. Search for the expiration date on your bottle if you’re concerned that it might not be good anymore.
I don’t really tend to think of drinks as manly or feminine. This one is delicious, and if it’s a selling point, The Dude always drinks White Russians, too.
Yes. Coffee liqueur has caffeine in it, unless it is otherwise marked.
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:
Here’s how you can make this one…
Peppermint White Russian
Ingredients
- 2 oz. peppermint schnapps
- 1 oz. coffee liqueur like Kaluha
- 1 ½ oz. heavy whipping cream
Equipment
- White Candy Melts
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Instructions
- Rim the glass. 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.
- Place ice (or a large ice cube) into the prepared glass.
- Pour the peppermint schnapps into the glass.
- Pour the coffee liqueur into the glass next.
- Top with a splash of heavy whipping cream, and stir to combine.
- Enjoy immediately.
Nutrition
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…
This creamy libation with Kahlua and schnapps is the perfect cocktail for the holidays or any time you want to bliss out!
Big fan of white Russians and this one was a hit!
love this recipe
This will definitely make Holiday get-togethers merry!
This looks fun and festive! Can this be made as a pitcher drink ahead of time for a party?
Hey CA! This drink IS fun and festive. 🙂
You’ve got a great question, and I have a long answer. First thing’s first: I haven’t tried to make a pitcher. While it can be done, the pitcher needs to be stirred right before any drink is poured and they need to be poured over ice. Do not add ice to the pitcher itself because it’ll water down the drinks before they’re poured. Also, the pitcher would need to stay COLD, so keep it in the fridge.
Another way to make this faster would be to combine the schnapps and cream in a pitcher, then pour that into a glass over ice and finish each cup with a pour of the coffee liqueur. This will give them the layered look that you see here.
You could also print out the recipe, set out the ingredients and let guests mix their own if the pitcher situation sounds like too much of a do.
If you give it a try, let me know how it goes! Cheers to you!
Way to strong. Love the idea and I can see the potential but I will be experimenting with the alcohol amount so it doesn’t feel like jetfuel.
Hey Nick. I’m sorry this tasted too strong for you. If you try it again in the future, I suggest decreasing the amount of peppermint schnapps first (since peppermint can be a strong flavor) while keeping the other two ingredients the same measurements and seeing how that sits with you before potentially adding more cream. I hope that helps.