To maximize the atmosphere of any holiday party, consider serving one of the following celebratory drink recipes. They all utilize the holiday favorite, peppermint, to add a cooling effervescence to any beverage. Here are some cold and hot holiday beverage recipes sure to please guests at the next holiday get-together.
Peppermint Patty
Ingredients:
- 1 part Kahlua
- 1 part Peppermint Schnapps
- 1 part cream
Directions:
Add all ingredients to shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain and serve.
Peppermint Martini
Ingredients:
- 5 oz. Vodka
- 2 oz. Creme de Menthe
- 1/2 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
- 2 small candy canes
Directions:
Add all liquid ingredients and desired ice to shaker and mix until chilled. Strain and pour into martini glasses. Garnish with a mini candy cane.
Holiday Martini
Ingredients:
- 3 oz. Gin
- Peppermint Schnapps to taste
- 1/2 oz. Vermouth
Directions:
Combine all ingredients with ice in a strainer. Mix until chilled. Strain and pour into martini glasses. Garnish with a mini candy cane.
Cold Mint Kiss
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz. Whiskey
- 1/2 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
- 2 tsp. White Creame de Cacao
Directions:
Combine all ingredients to shaker, add ice. Mix until chilled. Stain and serve in highball glass.
Elf Iced Tea
Ingredients:
- 4 oz. prepared iced tea
- 1/2 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream
- 1/2 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
Directions:
Mix all ingredients and serve over ice.
Peppermint Dream
Ingredients:
- 3 oz. cold orange juice (no pulp)
- 1/2 oz. Rum
- 1/2 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
- Lemon lime soda (such as 7 Up, Sprite or Sierra Mist)
Directions:
Combine rum, schnapps and orange juice in a highball glass over ice. Fill remainder of glass with soda and serve.
Peppermint Twist
Ingredients:
- 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- 1.5 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
- 1/2 oz. White Creme de Cacao
Directions:
Combine all ingredients into blender and blend until well-mixed. Pour into tall glasses and garnish with candy cane.
Hot Chocolate with Peppermint
Ingredients:
- One package of hot chocolate
- One shot of Peppermint Schnapps
Directions:
Prepare cup of hot chocolate and add shot. Can be garnished with a small candy cane and/or whipped cream.
Hot Mint Kiss
Ingredients:
- 3 oz. coffee (prepared and hot)
- 1 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream
- 1/2 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
- 1/2 oz. Rumple Minze
Directions:
Add Bailey's, Schnapps and Rumple Minze to coffee and stir. Can be topped with whipped cream if desired.
Extra Touches
To make drinks appear visually festive consider the following:
- Glasses can be rimmed with red and green (for Christmas) or blue and white (for Hanukkah) sugar for an extra holiday touch.
- Hot drinks can be topped with whipped cream.
- Miniature candy canes make a great garnish.
- Hot drinks can be served alongside dessert.
- Cold drinks make a great companion for main meals as well as stand-alone cocktails.
- Cut calories by using diet soda and low-fat or reduced calorie whipped cream and ice cream when called for.
These peppermint-infused drinks are perfect for any holiday or seasonal party, dinner or celebration.
Lisa Rufle - If I had to describe myself in one word, it would easily be: curious. So as a natural extension of my curiosity, reading is my life's ...
