This creamy Peppermint White Russian stars vodka, Kahlua, and peppermint schnapps for a minty twist on the basic cocktail! It’s festive and excellent for winter entertaining.
In case you’re on the lookout for a festive wintery cocktail that’s candy and creamy, would possibly I counsel the Peppermint White Russian? I don’t drink candy cocktails typically, however this spin on the basic White Russian has received me over.
After a number of rounds of recipe testing, I discovered that this minty spin would possibly really be extra fascinating than the unique. The peppermint doesn’t simply add taste: it makes the drink style like liquid peppermint bark with a espresso kick! (What’s to not love?)
Substances in a Peppermint White Russian
The White Russian is a basic cocktail that’s been round because the 1950’s, made with vodka, heavy cream, and low liqueur. It’s a spin-off on one other basic cocktail, the Black Russian, which merely pairs vodka and Kahlua. You would possibly know the White Russian from the 1998 film The Large Lebowski, nevertheless it’s acquired for much longer historical past.
For the Peppermint White Russian variation, you merely add peppermint schnapps so as to add a minty end to every sip. It mellows out the flavors into an much more fascinating steadiness. Right here’s what you’ll want:
Understanding Peppermint Schnapps Proof
Right here’s one thing I realized the laborious approach: you’ll discover three totally different proof ranges at most shops:
- 30 proof (15% ABV) – Milder and sweeter
- 60 proof (30% ABV) – Commonplace energy
- 100 proof (50% ABV) – Very robust
In case your bottle says 100 proof, use half the quantity known as for within the recipe and style as you go. I made the error of utilizing the total quantity with 100 proof schnapps as soon as, and the drink packed approach an excessive amount of punch! The 60 proof selection is my go-to.

Learn how to make a Peppermint White Russian
The Peppermint White Russian is so straightforward to make! You may construct it proper within the glass: no must whip out a cocktail shaker or mixing glass. Right here’s learn how to make it:
- Add the vodka, Kahlua and peppermint schnapps to a lowball glass. Then pour within the cream.
- Stir gently to get the swirl impact. Stir the drink instantly and it’ll flip off-white. It’s extra enjoyable to get the swirl impact! Stir it gently just some occasions, and the cream will swirl in a good looking sample.
Tip: To step up the drink, strive it with clear ice which is crystal clear, as a substitute of cloudy like regular ice. It makes the drink appear like it got here from an upscale bar! Go to Learn how to Make Clear Ice.
How Candy is This Drink?
The White Russian is a notoriously candy drink, due to the Kahlua. This espresso liqueur provides a hearty dose of sugar to the drink! Tia Maria is a extra refined model of the espresso liqueur, and it makes a barely extra balanced drink. You can think about this for a classier spin right here.
The peppermint schnapps additionally provides sweetness, however curiously the minty taste helps to steadiness out the sweetness. In our opinion, the Peppermint White Russian tastes extra balanced than the basic, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a fairly candy drink

Cream Options
It is a fairly wealthy drink, so similar to with my basic White Russian I like utilizing some options to the heavy cream. Listed here are just a few I’ve examined:
- Half and Half: That is my go-to lighter substitution: it nonetheless makes swirls and has sufficient richness to really feel satisfying.
- Complete Milk: This works however creates a barely extra watery drink. You may make 2% work, however I’d keep away from 1% or skim.
- Full fats coconut milk (or oat milk): For a dairy-free White Russian, I like coconut milk (canned, full fats) because it nonetheless makes the swirls. You can additionally use oat milk however it’s thinner.
Methods to Serve This Festive Cocktail
This Peppermint White Russian is right served as a vacation cocktail. Listed here are just a few methods I prefer to serve it:
Peppermint White Russian
This creamy Peppermint White Russian stars vodka, Kahlua, and peppermint schnapps for a minty twist on the basic cocktail! It’s festive and excellent for winter entertaining.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Prepare dinner Time: 0 minutes
- Whole Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Class: Drink
- Methodology: Stirred
- Delicacies: Cocktails
- Eating regimen: Vegan
- ½ ounce 30 proof or 60 proof* peppermint schnapps
- 1 ½ ounces** vodka
- 1 ounce Kahlua (or different espresso liqueur like Tia Maria)
- 1 ounce heavy cream (or complete or 2% milk)
- Add the peppermint schnapps, vodka and Kahlua to a low ball glass. Fill it with ice.
High with the cream or milk. Stir till chilly (or stir only a bit to get the swirl impact).
Notes
*Test the bottle earlier than you make this drink! If utilizing 100 proof (50% ABV) schnapps, use half the amount and customise to style.
**To transform to ounces, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
