Candy Cane Martini

'Tis the season for cocktail sipping and relaxing with friends. If you're craving a holiday-inspired cocktail recipe, this Candy Cane Martini Recipe is perfection. Simple ingredients but loaded with peppermint flavor.

Making fun Christmas cocktails and holiday drinks is a passion of ours. As long as you have a cocktail shaker and some fancy glasses, you can pretty much create any type of cocktail recipe that you can possibly think of.

Peppermint martinis are fun to make during the holiday season and are a great way to use up that excess of candy canes that you have just sitting around the house.

Speaking of festive holiday drinks, be sure to check out my Caramel Vodka Apple Cider Cocktail as well as my Apple Cider Martini. And this Christmas Moscow Mule is a must.

Ingredients

• Vodka - You can use your favorite brand of vodka or even use vanilla vodka or candy cane vodka.
• Candy cane simple syrup - This is added to give sweetness and mint flavor. 
• Candy canes - Use a combination of big and mini candy canes. 
• Boiling water - The water is needed to melt the candy canes so that you get the mint flavoring without the texture. 

How to Make a Candy Cane Martini

The instructions are so simple! In less than 5 minutes total time, you'll be sipping away! You'll want to have a prepared martini glass ready and have the candy canes crushed as well before starting.

1️⃣ Make Candy Cane Syrup

Add the crushed candy canes and boiling water into a measuring cup. Stir until the candy canes are dissolved. The water will be pink. (make sure that you're adding even amounts) 

2️⃣ Mix the Cocktail

Add three ice cubes into a cocktail shaker and then pour in two ounces of vodka and one ounce of the syrup that you just made. Shake for five seconds. Drain and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a mini candy cane on the rim. 

Variations

• Use spearmint - You could easily swap out the peppermint candy canes and use spearmint candies instead.
• Candy Cane Rim - Crushed candy canes can be added to the rim of the glass, adding even more of that minty flavor. Add finely crushed candies to a small plate. Moisten the rim of the glass with some of the syrup and then roll it in the candy canes.
• Change up the garnish - Instead of garnishing with candy canes, you can add whipping cream on the rim or even a little bit of chocolate glaze.
• Creamy - For a creamy peppermint flavor add a splash of white creme de cacao or white chocolate liqueur.

Common Questions

What is the best way to crush candy canes?

If they're still in a package, you just need a heavy object like a meat mallet or a heavy metal spoon to beat the candy canes into crumbs and crumbles.

If the candy canes are not in a package, you can add them to a sealable bag and use a rolling pin to break them into pieces.

Crushing the candy canes can also be done in a food processor if you're making a lot of these martinis to serve to family and friends at a party or a gathering. Just add them and pulse. It's as simple as that.

How many calories are in a martini?

The nutritional facts and nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients that are used. Since we made our own homemade peppermint vodka basically, the calories in this martini will be higher because of the added sugar content from the candy cane.

One serving is about 207 calories.

Can I make a martini ahead of time?

Martinis are best served fresh. If you want to do some extra prep work to try to shave down on the time spent making this martini, you can prep and crush the candy canes so that they're ready to use.

For a big holiday cocktail party, you can mix the peppermint martini in a pitcher ahead of time. Chill it in the fridge and skip shaking each cocktail.

Does a peppermint martini taste like peppermint schnapps?

They will have a slightly similar taste, but that's just the peppermint talking to you. Schnapps are going to have a richer and creamier texture than the martini does, but both are delicious in their own right.

 

Recipe

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Originally Published November 27, 2022. Revised and Republished December 15, 2025.