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    Home » Recipes » Cocktail Recipes

    The Perfect Candy Cane Martini for Christmas

    Modified: Apr 30, 2025 · Published: Dec 10, 2018 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Candy Cane Martini.

    This Candy Cane Martini is a creamy, peppermint-kissed cocktail that's the perfect blend of indulgence and nostalgia, capturing the essence of a classic Christmas candy in every sip. Whether you're hosting a holiday party or enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, this drink adds a touch of magic to any celebration.​

    Glasses of candy cane martinis garnished with candy canes.
    Jump to:
    • What's in a Candy Cane Martini?
    • How to Make a Candy Cane Martini
    • Recipe Tips
    • Don’t Miss These Holiday Cocktails 
    • Recipe Tips and Tricks
    • Print the Recipe Card
    • Christmas Candy Cane Martini

    The holiday season is a time for cozy gatherings, twinkling lights, and festive treats—and what better way to toast the spirit of the season than with a Candy Cane Martini?

    Crafted with vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, white crème de menthe, and a splash of cream, the Candy Cane Martini is as delightful to look at as it is to drink. The rim of the glass, dipped in cream and coated with red, green, and white sugar, adds a festive sparkle, while a mini candy cane garnish provides the perfect finishing touch. It's a cocktail that not only tastes like the holidays but also looks the part.​

    This recipe is a favorite for Christmas Eve, ideal for sipping once the hustle and bustle has settled and the house is aglow with holiday lights. It's also a hit at holiday parties, offering a sweet, minty treat that pairs wonderfully with seasonal desserts. For those who love creamy holiday cocktails, the Candy Cane Martini is a must-try addition to your festive drink repertoire.

    This candy cane martini recipe is the perfect festive drink for your holiday season. With the flavor of peppermint candy, it's my Christmas Eve drink - sipped after Santa's done and the house is quiet. When it's just you and the Christmas tree. It'll definitely put you in the Christmas spirit.

    What's in a Candy Cane Martini?

    Ingredients for Candy Cane Martinis.
    • Vanilla vodka - Choose your favorite brand.
    • White chocolate liqueur - This is adding cream and sweetness to your drink. Use your favorite brand.
    • White creme de menthe - White creme de menthe is actually clear. But it's not green, which is the other creme de menthe in stores. Both taste exactly the same, but you'll end up with a green drink if you don't use the clear "white" version.
    • Heavy cream - You can use half and half for a lighter option, but skip the milk.
    • Mini candy cane (garnish) - Use any size you want.
    • Red, green, and/or white sugar (garnish) - Use whatever you have on hand.

    How to Make a Candy Cane Martini

    Prepare your glass

    Mix the sugars together on a small plate.

    On a second plate, pour 2 tablespoons of cream.

    A martini glass rim being dipped in heavy cream.

    Dip the rim of a martini glass in the cream.

    A glass rim being dipped in colored sugar.

    Carefully roll the rim in the sugars until all of the rim is coated.

    Set the glass aside.

    Make your cocktail

    Creme de menthe being poured into a cocktail shaker.

    In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, creme de menthe, and cream.

    Straining a candy cane martini into a glass.

    Cover and shake well.
    Strain into your prepared martini glass.

    Garnish with a candy cane.

    A hand garnishing a candy cane martini with a candy cane.

    Enjoy!

    Recipe Tips

    • I like the pure white color of the cocktail that you get with no fake color in the creme de menthe, but you can use green creme de menthe in this festive cocktail if you can't find white (clear) creme de menthe. The taste is the same. Your cocktail will just be light green instead of white.
    • While I recommend a high milk fat, whatever dairy milk you have on hand will work. Your cocktail won't be as creamy, but it will still be tasty.

    Don’t Miss These Holiday Cocktails 

    I LOVE creamy holiday cocktails. Try my Peppermint Mocha Martini or Pumpkin Spice White Russian Cocktail. Or shake up a Gingerbread Martini Recipe made with homemade Gingerbread Syrup, a Sugar Cookie Martini, or a Pumpkin Spice Martini made with homemade Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup.

    • Sugar Cookie Martini
      Delicious Sugar Cookie Martini Recipe 
    • A coupe glass filled with gingerbread martini cocktail.
      Gingerbread Martini Recipe (Easy Christmas Cocktail)
    • Peppermint Mocha Martinis.
      Peppermint Mocha Martini for the Holidays
    • Candy Cane Martini
      The Perfect Candy Cane Martini for Christmas

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    Can I use regular vodka? 

    Yes, but it will change the flavor of the drink. The vanilla vodka adds a sweetness to this cocktail that is lost when you use plain vodka. 

    What else can I use for garnish? 

    You can follow the same steps, using crushed candy cane instead of the sugar on the rim of the glass. I keep red and green sugar on hand for holiday baking and find that easier than unwrapping and crushing candy canes with a rolling pin, and just as festive.

    Are creme de menthe and peppermint schnapps the same thing? 

    They are different liqueurs, but both will work well for this drink. Creme de menthe is easier for me to find in stores. Feel free to swap it out for peppermint schnapps if that’s what you have on hand. 

    How do I make this dairy-free?

    You don't. This recipe doesn't work without cream and milk. If you don't, or can't, drink dairy, find a different holiday recipe to enjoy.

    A candy cane and decorations splashing into a martini.

    Print the Recipe Card

    Candy Cane Martini

    Christmas Candy Cane Martini

    Katy McAvoy
    This Candy Cane Martini is a creamy, peppermint-kissed cocktail that captures the essence of a classic Christmas candy in every sip. Whether you're hosting a holiday party or enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, this drink adds a touch of magic to any celebration.​
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Servings 1 cocktail

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Jigger
    • Martini Glasses

    Ingredients
      

    • 1.5 oz vanilla vodka
    • 1.5 oz white chocolate liqueur
    • 0.75 oz white creme de menthe
    • 2 oz heavy cream
    • Mini candy cane garnish
    • Colored sugar red, green, and white sugar for garnish

    Instructions
     

    Prepare your glass

    • Mix the red, green, and white sugar on a small plate.
      Colored sugar
    • On a second small plate, place two tablespoons of cream.
    • Dip the rim of a martini glass in the cream.
    • Carefully roll the rim of the glass in the sugars until all of the rim is coated.
    • Set aside.

    Make your cocktail

    • In a cocktail shaker full of ice, combine vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, creme de menthe, and cream.
      1.5 oz vanilla vodka, 1.5 oz white chocolate liqueur, 0.75 oz white creme de menthe, 2 oz heavy cream
    • Cover and shake well.
    • Strain into your prepared martini glass.
    • Garnish with mini candy cane.
      Mini candy cane
    • Enjoy!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 509kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 3gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 17mgPotassium: 54mgSugar: 19gVitamin A: 833IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    I love when you share my recipes!

    85 shares

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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