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What I love about peppermint cocktails
We don’t typically drink creamy cocktails, but the white Russian is a classic for a reason, and I’m totally on board with it – and it’s stronger cousin, the blind Russian.
It’s the perfect blend of coffee liqueur and vodka, with just a hint of cream – which is exactly how I like my regular coffee. By adding a splash of peppermint schnapps, you get a hint of holiday flavors without straying too far from the original recipe.
Personally, I think a little peppermint goes a long way, so I only like to add 1/2 ounce, but feel free to change the ratio to suit your tastes.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this cocktail



How to make a peppermint white Russian
Rim your glasses. This rim is a little bit more complicated than your typical salted or sugared rim. Since we’re using candy canes (or peppermint candies) I like to use something a little stronger than lime juice to keep the candy on the glass.
Agave nectar is a great common cocktail ingredient that works, but you can also use honey or corn syrup if you don’t have agave.
Set up one plate with agave nectar and a second plate with the crushed peppermint candy. Dip in the agave and let any excess drip off before dipping the glass into the peppermint until the glass is nicely coated.
Mix your cocktail. Fill each glass with ice and measure out the vodka, coffee liqueur, peppermint schnapps and top with a splash of half-and-half. Stir with a bar spoon until combined and serve immediately.

Common questions about this peppermint white Russian
A black Russian is made of only two ingredients, coffee liqueur and vodka, while cream is added to a white Russian making it creamy and lighter. Another variation is a blind Russian which switches out the creamy for Irish cream liqueur.
Eventually it will go bad, there should be an expiration date from the manufacturer on the bottle. It is recommended to be stored in a cool dark place, so keep that in mind! This is also not an alcohol that should be stored in the freezer because the alcohol content is low it will actually freeze and be slushy when you want to pour it.
Yes it does. Most coffee liqueurs, and even some coffee-flavored beers, will contain some amount of caffeine, but the amount per serving is very small (5mg, compared to regular coffee which typically contains about 200mg). If you are sensitive to caffeine, or you’re avoiding it, you may want to consider using a substitute.
The alcohol amount in peppermint schnapps will vary by brand but it typically contains 15% – 30% alcohol which translate to 30 – 60 proof. There are some brands of peppermint schnapps, such as Rumple Minze, that are considerably stronger at 50% alcohol by volume or 100 proof.

More refreshing peppermint cocktails
- Peppermint vodka
- Spiked hot chocolate
- Peppermint frozen hot chocolate
- Peppermint white chocolate martini
Other cocktails with coffee liqueur


Ingredients
- 1/2 ounce peppermint schnapps
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 1 – 1 1/2 ounces half-and-half
- For garnish: agave nectar (crushed peppermint, candy canes)
Instructions
- Rim glass with agave nectar and crushed peppermint candies.
- Fill glass with ice and add cocktail ingredients. Stir with a bar spoon to combine.
Last Updated on December 12, 2023 by Melissa Belanger
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I will never recommend a product I don’t use or trust.
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