Peppermint White Russian

Cheers to the holidays with a Peppermint White Russian that’s as merry as it is delicious. This creamy Christmas cocktail is your ticket to becoming the ultimate holiday host, featuring a blend of classic ingredients with a peppermint twist that’s sure to dazzle. Garnished with a candy cane, this is an easy must-make holiday cocktail recipe.

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.

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.

Why You’ll Enjoy This Cocktail

• A Twist on a Classic: If you’re a fan of the original White Russian, this peppermint-kissed version adds just the right amount of holiday flair without losing the soul of what makes the classic so beloved.
• Party-Perfect Presentation: With a crushed peppermint rim and a candy cane garnish, this drink doesn’t just taste great—it looks the part, too. Serve this up at your next holiday gathering, and watch your guests’ eyes light up.
• Customizable: Want it creamier? Go ahead and add a little extra cream. Prefer it with a stronger peppermint punch? Stir in an extra splash of peppermint schnapps. This recipe is forgiving and flexible.
• Warm and Cozy: Despite being served chilled, the smooth vodka and rich cream in this cocktail make it a surprisingly cozy drink for a cold night. Think of it as your liquid sweater.

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

It’s time to shake up this Peppermint White Russian. I’ve shared the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

1. Begin by preparing your glass. Dip the rim into the white chocolate syrup and then into the crushed peppermints.
2. Optional: Mix a little red food dye with the white chocolate syrup. With a spoon, drizzle the mixture on the interior of the glass.

3. In a cocktail shaker, combine the Peppermint Vodka, Peppermint Kaluha, and half and half. Stir to combine.
4. Add ice to the glass; then pour in your cocktail.
5. Garnish with a candy cane.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a Peppermint White Russian if I don’t have peppermint schnapps?

Absolutely! While peppermint schnapps brings a nice minty kick, you can substitute it with a few drops of peppermint extract or even a peppermint-flavored syrup. Adjust the sweetness if you’re using syrup, though!

What’s the best kind of cream to use for a White Russian?

You can use heavy cream for a richer cocktail, half-and-half for a lighter touch, or even a milk alternative for a dairy-free option. The drink is versatile, so you can adjust the creaminess to your preference.

How do I crush peppermint candy without making a mess?

The easiest way is to place the candies in a sealable plastic bag, then gently crush them with a rolling pin. You can do this on a cutting board to minimize any impact noise and to keep all those sweet bits in one place.

Can this cocktail be made in a large batch for parties?

Sure! Mix together the vodka, coffee liqueur, and peppermint schnapps in a large pitcher. When it’s party time, pour over ice, add the cream, and garnish each glass individually.

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.

More Christmas Cocktails You’ll Love

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

And that’s a wrap! Cheers to making spirits bright, one Peppermint White Russian at a time! If you try this holiday cocktail recipe and enjoy it, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

Want more from Inspired by Charm? Follow along on Instagram and TikTok for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration on Facebook and Pinterest!