This Peppermint White Russian recipe is a creamy and minty adult treat! The coffee and peppermint flavors work perfectly together to create a cold cocktail that everyone will want the recipe for. It's simple to make, but you can dress it up to make it fun and festive.
Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Drink
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 5 Minute Prep
- 🍴 Servings: 1
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Creamy, cool, and festive. Classic coffee-liqueur richness meets refreshing peppermint and smooth vodka.
- 🍚 Best Served With: Chocolate desserts, sugar cookies, peppermint bark, holiday brunch spreads, or sipped on its own as a cozy nightcap.
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Partially. Mix the vodka, peppermint schnapps, and coffee liqueur ahead of time. Add cream right before serving to keep it silky and fresh.
Summarize and Save This Content On
I love a good white Russian, and the only thing better is a Christmas white Russian! The peppermint flavor is absolutely perfect in this drink, and I almost prefer it to the original. As soon as it reaches November, it's close enough to the holiday season that I put them on rotation when I have friends and family over to visit. Everyone is always impressed!
If you enjoy drinks with a holiday twist, try a Grinch cocktail or a cranberry shrub cocktail.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's the perfect holiday drink: This festive white Russian takes an indulgent cocktail and combines it with the holiday flavor of peppermint to create something merry.
- It's only 4 ingredients: You only need 4 ingredients to prepare this fun Christmas cocktail. I love drinks that don't have a ton of components!
- It takes minimal effort to make: This recipe is so simple, too. Just combine the ingredients, shake, pour, and serve.
Ingredients
All the components needed for this white Russian holiday drink are listed below. You'll need to make a run to the liquor store for this one!
- Vodka: Any kind of vodka that you like can be used. I went with the original Smirnoff, but another brand like Absolut is fine.
- Coffee liqueur: Kahlua is my go-to for this recipe. I love the flavor of it with the peppermint and cream.
- Peppermint Schnapps: The same goes for the peppermint schnapps; any brand will work. We're focusing more on the flavor combinations than quality!
- Heavy cream: This adds creaminess to the cocktail, which is most recognizable in a white Russian.
- Garnishes: Jazz up the presentation with simple syrup or icing on the rim with crushed peppermint candy canes. This will make it feel even more festive and perfect for Christmas!
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Mocha: Add a splash of any chocolate liqueur to create a rich mocha version.
- Vanilla: Use vanilla vodka instead of original to help enhance the flavors of the other components.
- Marshmallow: Try this recipe with marshmallow vodka to create a toasted marshmallow flavor.
- Dairy-free: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free cocktail.
How to Make a Peppermint White Russian
If you plan to add a garnish to the rim of your cocktail glasses, it's best to do that before you get started. Then, they will be ready for you to pour in your white Russian Christmas drink.
Step 1: Add the alcohol to the shaker. Start by adding the vodka, coffee liqueur, and peppermint schnapps to the cocktail shaker with ice.
Step 2: Stir in the heavy cream. Then, layer the heavy cream on top and give it a gentle stir.
Step 3: Shake the cocktail. Now you can shake your cocktail to combine all the ingredients well and chill the drink.
Step 4: Pour and serve. Pour your peppermint holiday cocktail into your glass of choice over ice and enjoy every sip!
Recipe Tips
- Chill all the components: Keep all of the ingredients and cocktail glasses chilled for the best flavor and texture possible.
- Make it to order: Prepare your white peppermint Russian when you're ready to drink it. This is not a recipe you can prepare a large batch of and keep in the fridge.
- Turn it into a shot: Use 0.5 oz of each liquor and then add heavy cream to fill the shot glass!
Another peppermint drink you should try is this McDonald's peppermint mocha.
Serving Suggestions
- Stick with the peppermint flavor and create treats like homemade peppermint Oreos and double chocolate peppermint cookies for the theme.
- Another great sweet holiday treat you can make with this holiday white Russian is Muddy Buddy popcorn.
- I love Parmesan meatballs and air fryer zucchini fries as easy holiday appetizers to enjoy with this festive cocktail.
If you enjoy creamy beverages like this, you just have to check out our strawberries and cream martini. A recent addition to the site, it's already a hit with the masses!
Recipe FAQs
Cut back on one of the liquors, like the vodka or schnapps, to make the drink more balanced for your liking.
Ensure that the heavy cream you're using is cold and still within its expiration date. Older or even room temperature cream can separate or curdle when combined with the alcohol.
Add a small drop of peppermint extract so you can increase the peppermint flavor without increasing the alcohol content.
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If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Peppermint White Russian
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur
- 1 ounce peppermint schnapps
- 2 ounces heavy cream
- Crushed peppermint candies for garnish (optional)
- Peppermint stick or candy cane for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a rocks glass with ice.
- Pour in the vodka, coffee liqueur, and peppermint schnapps.
- Slowly pour the heavy cream over the top to create a layered effect, then gently stir to combine.
- If you want to rim your glass pour some corn syrup, simple syrup or icing onto a shallow plate. Prepare another small plate with crushed candy canes or peppermint candies. Press rim of glass onto plate with liquid of choice and then immediately onto plate with crumbs until coated. Set aside until ready to pour drink inside your fridge. You can also garnish with a peppermint stick for a festive touch.
- Serve immediately and enjoy this creamy holiday twist on a classic cocktail.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of alcohol used in this peppermint drink recipe to make it a little sweeter if it's too strong for you.
- Use fresh and cold heavy cream to prevent it from curdling in your drink.
- Chill all of the components, including the cocktail glasses, to keep the drink as cold as possible for the best flavor and consistency.
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