Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka
- 1 ounce cream
- ¾ ounce peppermint schnapps
- ¾ ounce coffee liqueur
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, cream, peppermint schnapps, and coffee liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
Variations and Substitutions
The peppermint white Russian offers a few variations, even of the riff itself, making it a great winter cocktail to customize as you go.
- Use peppermint vodka instead of adding schnapps.
- Consider Irish cream instead of regular cream for a boozier spin.
- Add a splash of grenadine to give the cocktail a pop of red color.
- Include a splash of chilled coffee or espresso for a richer coffee flavor.
- Peppermint syrup can also be used in place of peppermint schnapps.
- Serve over crushed ice for a frosted look.
Garnishes
The classic White Russian typically omits a garnish, but that doesn't mean you can't dress up the peppermint White Russian as much, or as little, as you want.
- Make a peppermint rim, first dipping part of the rim in honey or vanilla frosting and then crushed peppermint candy.
- Use red, pink, or white sprinkles, or any in combination, on the rim instead of candy.
- Coarse pink or red sugar also make for a colorful rim.
- Add a whole peppermint stick.
- Float three whole coffee beans.
About the Peppermint White Russian
Russian in name only, the white Russian has no known Russian roots, but many attribute this name because of the vodka spirit. The drink went in and out of popularity over the past 50 or so years, both at home and at bars, ultimately rising in the 1960s and 70s before falling out of favor dramatically. Today, it continues to go in and out of fashion like it has years before, but far less dramatically. It's a cocktail that continues to be popular across some regions today, while others see it as a seasonal drink and capitalize on the rise by incorporating it into their drink menus.
It doesn't hurt that there are so many flavors of vodka and spirits on the shelves of stores, offering an endless number of white Russian combinations to consider. These flavors allow both the bars and home bartenders to play with the original recipe and experiment, giving the world unique flavors, including the peppermint White Russian. Adding peppermint makes this a drink with a holiday slant, but if you love peppermint, then it could become a year-round favorite.
Rushing for the Mint Flavor
Peppermint is a key flavor in the winter months, what better way to enjoy it than in a creamy white Russian. The peppermint shining through with the coffee flavors gives it a depth of flavor other cocktails can't achieve. Skip the classic and stir in some peppermint.
