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A peppermint patty in a glass, today’s Chocolate Peppermint Martini is a delicious twist on a classic Chocolate Martini with a chocolate-candy cane rim and a little splash of peppermint flavor. It’s creamy, chocolatey and smooth – and doubles as dessert!

Chocolate Peppermint Martini Recipe

If you love Espresso Martinis or Chocolatinis, you are going to love this Peppermint Patty Cocktail, aka, our Chocolate Peppermint Martini recipe.

The velvety chocolate flavor hits your tongue first, following by the cooling sensation of peppermint, mellowed by the cream that gives this cocktail its luscious texture that holds up well to being shaken with ice before serving.

Our Peppermint Bark Cocktail recipe is perfect for batching and serving at parties – or just enjoy a glass as a night cap while watching holiday movies or sitting around the fire with loved ones.

If serving at a party, you can offer this chocolate martini version as well as our Peppermint Twist Martini for a chocolate-free version, if desired.

Peppermint Chocolate Martini FAQs

Can I make this drink ahead of time? Yes, mix everything except the ice and garnish up to 24 hours in advance and store chilled. Shake with ice just before serving to restore the texture.

What can I use if I don’t have peppermint vodka? You can add 1 to 2 drops of peppermint extract to regular vodka (a very small amount goes a long way, so start conservatively) or swap it out for peppermint schnapps.

Can I lighten the drink? Use whole milk instead of cream. The drink will be thinner but still flavorful.

Why is my drink separating? If the cream is too cold or the shake is too short, the mixture can stratify. Shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds to fully emulsify.

We used whipped vanilla vodka and chocolate liqueur to make this cocktail, as some other alcohols can curdle milk (and we use milk to ensure our hot chocolate cocktail stays creamy).

Alcohols that will curdle milk include brandy, rum or high-proof alcohols.

Whiskeys and vodkas are generally safe to add to milk-based cocktails, as are obviously milky liqueurs like Bailey’s and Kahlua.

Peppermint Patty Cocktail Ingredients

• Chocolate liquor or creme de cacoa
• Peppermint vodka
• Light cream or half & half table cream, plus more for garnish
• Cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix
• Chocolate syrup
• Chocolate bark 1/2 a brick
• Candy cane smashed

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: Natural cocoa gives a lighter chocolate note while Dutch-processed cocoa adds deeper color and a smoother finish. Both work, but they shift the flavor subtly.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Martini Glasses
• Liquid Measure
• Shallow Plate
• Cocktail Shaker <– I really loved using my gorgeous Omishome Bartending Kit to make this recipe. The pretty bamboo holder contains all of the tools you need to make perfect cocktails, and those pretty gold tools add a touch of class to your home bar set-up.

How to Make a Chocolate Peppermint Martini

Crush the candy cane with a kitchen mallet or rolling pin and place in a small bowl that is wide enough for the rim of your martini glasses to dip into.

Melt your chocolate in the microwave in a small bowl, heating for 30 seconds, then stirring, then reheating as needed in 30 second increments.

Delicately swirl your martini glass edge through the melted chocolate. Immediately run the martini glass rim through the crushed peppermint to allow it to stick to the rim of the glass. Set aside for the chocolate to dry as you prepare your cocktails.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add your chocolate liquor, cream, peppermint vodka, cocoa powder and chocolate syrup. Shake well and then taste to adjust the flavoring, as needed.

Pour the cocktail into your decorated martini glass.

If you’d like a little swirl on top, carefully pour some cream in a swirl shape overtop of the martini and then drag a toothpick or skewer through the design to make it even more decorative.

Pin this Festive Peppermint Bark Martini:

Grab your free printable recipe card for our chocolate peppermint cocktail recipe:

For more tantalizing cocktails, check out our full cocktail recipe collection here: