If a peppermint mocha had a slightly mischievous and wild alter-ego, it would be this chocolate peppermint espresso martini. It's a cozy holiday drink, only amplified with all the classic espresso martini ingredients, with the addition chocolate liqueur and peppermint cream. Minty, smooth, and basically the adult version of your favorite seasonal coffee run.
What's not to love about the combination of chocolate, espresso, and peppermint? It's truly one of my favorite flavor profiles and I just love how this all comes together in one festive cocktail.
TL; DR Recipe Summary
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 👩🏼🍳 Prep Level: Easy/Beginner
- 😋 Taste: Chocolate, peppermint, coffee, mocha flavors
- 🍽️ Best Paired With: Make this cocktail after a yummy dinner of classic chicken scampi, braised lamb loin chops, or alongside some appetizers like pesto burrata crostini, brie and onion crostini, or crescent roll piggies in a blanket.
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Tips, Tricks, and Key Reminders
- Be sure to chill the martini or coupe glasses with a few ice cubes so that the glass gets frosty and the beverage is served as cold as possible.
- Use a jigger to measure out the liquids that go into the drink so that everything is well balanced.
- Fresh brewed espresso will yield a frothy crema at the top of the drink, whereas cold brew coffee will not, but either one works well.
The Main Ingredients
- Espresso: Freshly brewed espresso adds bold flavors and depth that anchors the cocktail and balances the sweetness of the other liqueurs.
- Chocolate liqueur: Rich, velvety cocoa flavor that pairs with the coffee to bring out the mocha flavors.
- Coffee liqueur: Adds additional coffee profiles and warmth, rounding out the espresso.
- Candy canes (for the rim): Crushed candy canes create a festive, minty-sweet rim that enhances the peppermint flavor in the cocktail itself.
- Vodka: Vodka is the base liquor that lets the espresso and peppermint shine without being too much.
- Peppermint cream liqueur: Adds creamy, cool peppermint notes that tie together the chocolate and espresso.
Be sure to check out the recipe card at the end of this post for more information about quantities, measurements, and specific cooking instructions.
Recipe Swaps and Substitutions
- You can easily use cold brew coffee or iced coffee for this instead of espresso.
- Swap the peppermint cream liqueur for peppermint schnapps.
- Use a double espresso flavored vodka like Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka for even more coffee flavor.
How to make chocolate peppermint espresso martini
Step 1: Add ice to a martini coupe glass to chill, set aside. In a shaker, combine vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, chocolate liqueur, and RumChata peppermint bark cream.
Step 2: Shake until well combined and frothy.
Step 3: Wet the top of the martini coupe glass with a lemon or simple syrup, then dip into crushed candy canes. Pour the drink into the martini coupe and serve.
Peppermint Espresso Martini FAQs
You can prep this cocktail a day or a few hours ahead of when you'd like to serve it, you can double or triple the recipe as desired and add to a large pitcher and store in the fridge until it's time to serve.
I love the idea of adding all of the ingredients together in a blender and making a frozen espresso martini with peppermint! You can even add some chocolate syrup to the sides of the glass for a mudslide vibe.
No, you can opt for your favorite vodka (or even gin) instead of the double espresso vodka that I use.
Check out these other festive cocktail recipes
Did you love this recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you're just as in love with this recipe as I am, please share a comment below and rate it! Better yet, share this recipe with family and friends!! Thank you!
Chocolate Peppermint Espresso Martini
Equipment
- shaker
- jigger
- Martini Glasses
Ingredients
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Chocolate Liqueur
- 1 ½ oz Peppermint Cream Liqueur
- ½ oz Coffee Liqueur
- 1 oz Espresso
- 3 large Candy Canes crushed
Instructions
- Add ice to a martini glass to chill, set aside. In a shaker, combine vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, chocolate liqueur, and RumChata peppermint bark cream.
- Shake until well combined and frothy.
- Wet the top of the martini glass with a lemon or simple syrup, then dip into crushed candy canes. Pour the martini and serve.
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