Candy Cane Martini

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Cocktail History

The Candy Cane Martini is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Jassy Davis and was first published in her book Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter. There are several recipes out there with the same name, but most are considered kitschy by serious imbibers because they’re made with super sugary ingredients. This version is entirely different because it’s made with a more classic vodka Martini template but adds festivity with white chocolate liqueur, peppermint liqueur, and a crushed candy cane rim.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Vodka: This is a spirit made with grains, vegetables or fruits, and alcohol. We used Russian Standard Gold Vodka because it’s smooth and easy to sip. For a mocktail version of this drink, try STRYKK Not V*dka in place of the vodka.

White Crème De Cacao: This is a liqueur made with white chocolate, vanilla, sugar, and alcohol. We used DeKuyper Crème De Cacao White because it has a delightful white chocolate flavor and is affordable. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Monin Premium White Chocolate Syrup in place of the white chocolate liqueur.

White Crème De Menthe: This is a liqueur made with mint, sugar, and alcohol. We used DeKuyper Crème De Menthe White Liqueur because it has a cool and refreshing taste. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Monin Premium Peppermint Syrup in place of the mint liqueur.

Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s stovetop recipe.

Candy Cane: This is a cane-shaped peppermint candy. We used YumEarth Organic Mini Candy Canes.

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Mixing Glass: This is used to hold the ingredients while they’re being stirred. We used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.

Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.

Julep Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is stirred. We used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.

Mortar & Pestle Set: This is used to crush ingredients. We used the Gorilla Grip Heavy Duty Granite Mortar & Pestle Set.

Tasting Notes

The Candy Cane Martini features sweet mint aroma thanks to the rim and has the initial flavor of chocolate followed by a strong menthol backbone and a hit of alcohol on the swallow with more faint notes of chocolate.

Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: Although pretty boozy, we both liked this drink and thought it was a very respectable sip for the holidays if you’re not into the sweeter stuff.

Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.

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Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.

Take Our Quiz →

Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“While I normally stay away from anything that calls itself a Martini but isn’t truly a gin and vermouth-only cocktail, I will give this one a pass because it is crystal-clear and boozy, just like its namesake. That said, it’s honestly a delicious drink even to me that features plenty of minty and chocolatey sweetness reminiscent of the holiday candy after which it’s modeled.”

Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I’m the opposite of Alex in that I tend to gravitate toward sweeter dessert drinks at Christmastime, so I was skeptical that I would like this after one look at how booze-forward it would be. I was surprised to find that, although it certainly has more astringency than I’m used to, the chocolate and peppermint notes really mellowed out the drink and made it palatable to me. I do think the candy cane rim or at least a mini candy cane to munch on is a necessary feature because it brings out the mintiness. Regardless though, I would make this again!”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter by Jassy Davis.

Sale
Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn and Winter
Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn and Winter
Hardcover Book; Davis, Jassy (Author); English (Publication Language); 144 Pages – 09/01/2020 (Publication Date) – HarperCollins (Publisher)
$10.89 Amazon Prime

AuthorWinter Warmers

Yields1 ServingPrep Time5 mins

Ingredients
 1 ½ oz Vodka
 1 ½ oz White Crème De Cacao
 ¾ oz White Crème De Menthe
 1 Small Candy Cane

Method
1

Crush candy cane in a mortar and pestle, pour crushed candy cane onto a plate, rub outer rim of a martini glass with simple syrup, and roll glass in candy cane until coated.

2

Add vodka, white crème de cacao, white crème de menthe, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.

3

Stir for 30-45 seconds.

4

Strain into candy cane-rimmed glass.

Ingredients

Ingredients
 1 ½ oz Vodka
 1 ½ oz White Crème De Cacao
 ¾ oz White Crème De Menthe
 1 Small Candy Cane

Directions

Method
1

Crush candy cane in a mortar and pestle, pour crushed candy cane onto a plate, rub outer rim of a martini glass with simple syrup, and roll glass in candy cane until coated.

2

Add vodka, white crème de cacao, white crème de menthe, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.

3

Stir for 30-45 seconds.

4

Strain into candy cane-rimmed glass.

Candy Cane Martini

Make It a Mocktail: Use STRYKK Not V*dka in place of the vodka, Monin Premium White Chocolate Syrup in place of the white chocolate liqueur, and Monin Premium Peppermint Syrup in place of the mint liqueur to try a booze-free version of this drink.

Shop Glassware & Tools

Find collections of cocktail glassware and bartending tools we recommend for your home bar in our Amazon shop.

Sale
Libbey Capone Entertaining Set with 4 Martini Glasses and Shaker
Libbey Capone Entertaining Set with 4 Martini Glasses and Shaker
Give your classic cocktail skills a sophisticated vintage-style presentation; Complete martini glass set includes a classic shaker to make entertaining easy
$39.19 Amazon Prime
Libbey 8876 Art Deco 6 oz Martini Glass, Set of 6 with Bonus FDL Picks
Libbey 8876 Art Deco 6 oz Martini Glass, Set of 6 with Bonus FDL Picks
Quantity of 6 Art Deco 6 oz Libbey 8876 Martini Glass; Great for floated mixers, martinis, and a wide variety of mixed drinks and desserts
$59.90

More Christmas Cocktails

If you like this Christmas cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:

Cranberry Cobbler Cocktail Recipe

Cranberry Cobbler: A sherry cocktail made with cranberry syrup, orange slices, an orange wedge, mint, and cranberries

Sugar Cookie Cocktail Recipe

Sugar Cookie Cocktail: A vanilla vodka cocktail made with amaretto, Irish cream liqueur, heavy cream, simple syrup, and sprinkles

Kohler Mint Cocoa Cocktail Recipe

Kohler Mint Cocoa: A chocolate mint brandy cocktail made with milk, white peppermint schnapps, dark crème de cacao, cocoa powder, whipped cream, and grated chocolate

Winter Berry Gin Fizz Cocktail Recipe

Winter Berry Gin Fizz: A gin cocktail made with lime juice, cranberry syrup, raspberry liqueur, soda water, cranberries, and rosemary

This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2024-03-29.

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