Ingredients
- 1 ounce chocolate vodka
- ¾ ounce chocolate liqueur
- ¾ ounce Irish cream
- ½ ounce white crème de menthe
- Ice
- Heavy cream and mint leaf for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, chocolate vodka, chocolate liqueur, Irish cream, and crème de menthe.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with splash of heavy cream and mint leaf for garnish.
Variations and Substitutions
Chocolate and mint is a classic flavor pairing, and there's more than one formula to make it happen.
- Play with white chocolate or dark chocolate liqueur to give your chocolatey mint martini a unique spin.
- Chocolate mint is an actual plant, despite how wild that may seem. Infuse your vodka with this herb for a leg up on those mint flavors by adding a tablespoon of coarsely chopped chocolate.
- Skip the Irish cream and use heavy cream, whole milk, or even heavy whipping cream for a thicker martini.
- Instead of chocolate vodka, use vanilla or whipped cream vodka for a more indulgent cocktail that'll add an extra layer of flavors.
- Use a clear chocolate liqueur and green crème de menthe to make your Andes Candy martini a bright green. Make it pop even more by using a half-ounce of the chocolate liqueur and a three-quarters ounce of the crème de menthe.
- Drop-in a few dashes of chocolate bitters to add flavor without sweetness.
Garnishes
Decorate your Andes candy martini in a number of ways, from simple and chic to fancy with a flair.
- Melt several unwrapped Andes candy mints and drizzle the melted chocolate on the inside of the martini glass or dip the rim in the chocolate.
- Add a sprinkle of chocolate shavings, coarsely chopped chocolate, or even chocolate sprinkles on top of your Andes candy martini.
- Include a dollop of whipped cream for a truly dessert martini.
- Channel the Andes candy flavor by coarsely chopping those up and sprinkling on top, or slightly melt it and affix the candy to the glass as it cools.
- Nothing completes a dessert like a cherry. Drop a maraschino or cocktail cherry into the glass or pierce with a cocktail skewer.
About the Andes Candy Martini
The incredibly beloved and memorable Andes mints are a staple in households across America. First created in the 1950s, the chocolate mint candy is a popular after-dinner treat--or any time pick-me-up, really. This chocolate and mint flavor combination wasn't new in the cocktail world, as the grasshopper martini, which also uses mint and chocolate, came well before the Andes candy mint.
Most likely the inspiration for the Andes candy martini, the grasshopper is a classic cocktail hopping around for the past century. New Orleans claims to be the source of this green martini, but it wasn't until a few decades later that the drink rocketed in popularity--right around the same time Andes mints popped onto the market. The Andres candy martini is an updated and modern spin on the grasshopper, with a focus on the creamy chocolate flavors. At the same time, the mint is a supporting star to set it apart from all the other chocolate dessert cocktails. Most likely, this cocktail also took inspiration from other candy-style cocktails, such as the Butterfinger or Jolly Rancher, as well as chocolatey dessert drinks, including the popular and sweet mudslide.
Making a Martini That's Absolutely Mint
Hop on past the usual chocolate mint martini and slide into something a little more comfortable. This Andes candy martini may just change your mind about a minty cocktail. So embrace those sweet chocolate notes with that whisper of mint, but don't forget to share.
