Peppermint White Russian

This Peppermint White Russian is a delicious, seasonal take on the classic cocktail recipe. Garnished with a candy cane, it’s likely to become a holiday party staple.

Since it’s the weekend before Christmas, I thought I’d celebrate with another seasonal cocktail recipe. Today we’re making a Peppermint White Russian.

Why You’ll Enjoy This Cocktail

I must admit that up until recently, I wasn’t a big fan of peppermint. As a kid, I didn’t care for it at all. Over the past couple of years, however, I’ve come to love the cool, minty, sweet flavor. It’s been fun adding it to things like cocktails, desserts, and even hot cocoa.

I just love the way this White Russian tastes with the peppermint, but also how festive it looks as a rim and garnish.

Now it’s time to serve and sip this pretty and pepperminty cocktail. While this White Russian is tasty without the garnish, candy rim, and red syrup, I think they make the cocktail that much more fun for serving guests at a holiday party.

Ingredients

My Peppermint White Russian doesn’t stray too far from the original, with a couple of key differences. Here’s how I mix things up for this festive cocktail:

• Peppermint Vodka: Peppermint vodka is very easy to find this time of year. I went with Smirnoff, but you can use any brand that has a peppermint flavor available.
• Peppermint Kahlua: Coffee liqueur is a must for a White Russian, so I went with the holiday version of Kahlua.
• Half and Half: You can also use cream for this recipe – it makes the drink super rich and creamy.
• Crushed Peppermints: To go with the theme, the crushed peppermints line the rim of the glass rather than using sugar.
• White Chocolate Syrup: I use this syrup to dip the glass in before rimming the glass with the peppermints. The perfect combination of sweet and minty!
• Red Food Dye: This one is optional but a fun extra step. I used the red food dye along with the extra white chocolate syrup to decorate the interior of the glass.
• Candy Cane: For use as a garnish, I hang the candy cane over the edge of the glass.

How to Make

1. To make my Peppermint White Russian, all I did was substitute Peppermint Twist Vodka for the vodka and Peppermint Kahlua for the regular variety. Simple.
2. This was the perfect amount of mintiness for me, but you could use a vanilla vodka if you just wanted a hint of peppermint flavor from the Kahlua.

3. I also dressed up the glass with a crushed peppermint rim. Dip the rim in white chocolate syrup (this is the syrup I like) and then into crushed peppermints. You can use peppermint candies, peppermint sticks, or candy canes.
4. For a holiday touch, I mixed a little white chocolate syrup with red food coloring and drizzled that into the glass before pouring the cocktail. Although the red fades fairly quickly, I thought it looked festive and fun when the drink was served.
5. Once the glass is prepared, add ice to your cocktail. Finish it off with a candy cane.

What Is a White Russian?

The recipe for a White Russian is straightforward. The classic version is made with 2 parts vodka, 1 part Kaluha (coffee liqueur), and 1 part half and half.

The result is a very creamy cocktail that reminds me of iced coffee. But with an extra kick, of course!

I like to enjoy White Russians as a dessert cocktail since the sweetness from the Kaluha and the cream from the half and half don’t make the vodka taste too powerful.

White Russians are a twist on the other classic cocktail, Black Russians, which only consists of vodka and coffee liqueur and no cream. Supposedly, the only reason they’re called “Russian” is that they contain vodka, and they actually don’t have any Russian origin.

White Russian Variations

And if you like White Russians (I do too!), then you’re in luck because I have several tasty varieties. Who knew such a simple drink could be made so many different ways?

Here are a few more variations for you to try:

• Pumpkin Spice White Russian
• Gingerbread White Russian
• Chai Spiced White Russian
• Salted Caramel White Russian.

It is especially wonderful when I am able to create different, unique, and flavorful variations of the traditional White Russian.

Like this recipe? More holiday cocktail recipes:

• Jingle Juice Holiday Punch
• Salted Caramel White Russians
• The BEST Mulled Wine
• Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
• White Chocolate Peppermint Martini

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Peppermint White Russian

This Peppermint White Russian is a delicious, seasonal take on the classic cocktail recipe. Garnished with a candy cane, it’s likely to become a holiday party staple.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas, cocktail, holiday, peppermint, white russian

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1 cocktail

Ingredients

• 3 ounces Peppermint Vodka
• 1.5 ounces Peppermint Kaluha
• 1.5 ounces half and half

For Garnish:

• Crushed peppermints
• White chocolate syrup
• Red food dye
• Candy cane

Instructions

• Begin by preparing your glass. Dip the rim into the white chocolate syrup and then into the crushed peppermints.
• Optional: Mix a little red food dye with the white chocolate syrup. With a spoon, drizzle the mixture on the interior of the glass.
• In a cocktail shaker, combine the Peppermint Vodka, Peppermint Kaluha, and half and half. Stir to combine.
• Add ice to the glass; then pour in your cocktail.
• Garnish with a candy cane.