A delicious Christmas cocktail, this Chocolate Peppermint Martini is a sweet treat for the holidays!
Why we love this holiday cocktail
If you enjoy peppermint bark, you are going to go crazy for this peppermint martini recipe!
We took a standard chocolate martini and bumped it up a notch with a shot of peppermint vodka and two extra chocolate flavor enhancers to really bring out that chocolatey flavor (and color).
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
NOTE – You can leave out the chocolate syrup and cocoa powder, but the martini will be beige in color, not chocolate-y looking.
How to Make Chocolate Peppermint Martini
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Crush the candy cane with a kitchen mallet or rolling pin and place in a small bowl that is wide enough for the rim of your martini glasses to dip into.
- Melt your chocolate in the microwave in a small bowl, heating for 30 seconds, then stirring, then reheat as needed in 30-second increments.
- Delicately swirl your martini glass edge through the melted chocolate.
- Immediately run the martini glass rim through the crushed peppermint to allow it to stick to the rim of the glass.
- Set aside for the chocolate to dry as you prepare your cocktails.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add your chocolate liquor, cream, peppermint vodka, cocoa powder, and chocolate syrup. Shake well and then taste to adjust the flavoring, as needed.
- Pour the cocktail into your decorated martini glass.
- If you’d like a little swirl on top, carefully pour some cream in a swirl shape overtop of the martini. Then drag a toothpick or skewer through the design to make it even more decorative.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
There are lots of options here! Creme de cacao, Baileys Chocolate Liqueur, Mozart Chocolate Cream (or dark chocolate) Liqueur, and Godiva Chocolate Liqueur are all excellent options. It truly comes down to personal preference.
Serving Suggestions
If I’m making a dessert cocktail like this, chances are I am forgoing dessert, so I want my cocktail to really deliver in terms of flavor and indulgence. This cocktail is smooth, creamy, and super chocolatey with the perfect amount of sweet peppermint flavor (without feeling like someone spiked your drink with toothpaste).
The chocolate peppermint rim helps with the flavor and also lets your guests know what flavor profile to expect – plus it’s pretty!
More Martini Recipes
- S’mores Martini
- Key Lime Pie Martini
- Pumpkin Pie Martini
- Blackberry Gin Martini
- Blended Frostbite Martini
- Dirty Martini
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Chocolate Peppermint Martini
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Pin It Rate ItIngredients
- 1 candy cane smashed
- 2 oz chocolate bark 1/2 a brick
- 3 oz chocolate liquor or creme de cacoa
- 5 oz light cream or half & half table cream, plus more for garnish
- 3 oz peppermint vodka
- 1 tsp cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix
- 1 tbs chocolate syrup
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
Instructions
- Crush the candy cane with a kitchen mallet or rolling pin and place in a small bowl that is wide enough for the rim of your martini glasses to dip into. Melt your chocolate in the microwave in a small bowl, heating for 30 seconds, then stirring, then reheating as needed in 30 second increments. Delicately swirl your martini glass edge through the melted chocolate. Immediately run the martini glass rim through the crushed peppermint to allow it to stick to the rim of the glass. Set aside for the chocolate to dry as you prepare your cocktails.1 candy cane, 2 oz chocolate bark
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add your chocolate liquor, cream, peppermint vodka, cocoa powder and chocolate syrup. Shake well and then taste to adjust the flavoring, as needed.3 oz chocolate liquor, 5 oz light cream or half & half, 3 oz peppermint vodka, 1 tsp cocoa powder, 1 tbs chocolate syrup
- Pour the cocktail into your decorated martini glass.
- If you’d like a little swirl on top, carefully pour some cream in a swirl shape overtop of the martini and then drag a toothpick or skewer through the design to make it even more decorative.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared here on Dec 19, 2018.
Amanda Davis
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Roger Whitman says
Is chocolate bark the same as almond bark?
Amanda Davis says
Yes
Lisa Mitchell says
Soooo yummy and decadent. As advised I used regular vodka and a little peppermint extract brought it a Christmas party last night. It was a huge hit. I’m making it again for a party tonight. Thank you for a delicious recipe.
Sandy Beach says
It came out really yummy. No chocolate bark needed. My BFF and I agreed, it was like chocolate milk for grown-ups. I served mine it little edible candy cane shot glasses. Delish!
Kim says
Can this be made ahead of time and stored for the next day?
Amanda Formaro says
You could, but since there is cream in it, I would suggest whisking the mixture before serving.
Amber says
This was so good and festive!! Tastes like chocolate milk!!!!
Karen says
Very yummy.
elizabeth anne gahan says
i would use peppermint cocoa creamer now that its availalble yr round