Easy Peppermint White Russian Christmas Drink – Cool, and Cozy

A White Russian Christmas Drink already feels like winter in a glass, but add peppermint and it turns downright festive. This Peppermint White Russian Holiday Drink is creamy, minty, and just sweet enough—perfect for a quiet night in or a casual holiday gathering. It takes only a few minutes to make and looks impressive with a simple candy cane rim.

If you’re craving something cozy with a little cheer, this is the cocktail to mix. No complicated syrups, no hard-to-find ingredients—just a playful twist on a classic.

Why This White Russian Christmas Drink Recipe Works

• Balanced flavor: Coffee liqueur and vodka provide warmth, while peppermint adds a clean, bright finish without overpowering the drink.
• Simple ingredients: Everything here is easy to find—no special equipment or obscure liqueurs required.
• Foolproof texture: Cream (or a good dairy-free alternative) creates a rich, silky body that feels indulgent but not heavy.
• Holiday-ready presentation: A crushed candy cane rim and chocolate shavings make it look seasonal with almost no effort.
• Flexible sweetness: You control the sweetness by adjusting the amount of coffee liqueur and peppermint flavor.

What You’ll Need for White Russian Christmas Drink

• Vodka: 2 ounces. A clean, mid-range vodka works best.
• Coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa): 1 ounce for classic balance; 1.5 ounces if you like it sweeter and richer.
• Heavy cream or half-and-half: 1 to 1.5 ounces, depending on how creamy you like it.
• Peppermint schnapps or peppermint extract: 0.25 to 0.5 ounce schnapps, or 1–2 drops extract.Start small—peppermint is strong.
• Ice: Enough to fill a rocks glass.
• Optional garnishes: Crushed candy canes, mini candy cane, chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, or whipped cream.
• Optional sweetener: A splash of simple syrup if you like it sweeter and you’re using extract instead of schnapps.
• Glassware: Rocks glass (Old Fashioned glass) is traditional.

Step-by-Step Instructions for White Russian Christmas Drink

1. Prepare the rim (optional): Crush a small candy cane until fine. Lightly wet the rim of your glass with water or a bit of cream, then dip it into the crushed candy to coat. Set aside.
2. Fill the glass with ice: Add fresh ice to your rocks glass.Clear, large cubes melt slower and keep the drink from thinning too quickly.
3. Add the base spirits: Pour in 2 ounces vodka and 1 ounce coffee liqueur over the ice.
4. Add peppermint: Stir in 0.25 to 0.5 ounce peppermint schnapps. If using peppermint extract, add just 1–2 drops. Stir gently to combine and taste for mint level.
5. Finish with cream: Slowly float 1 to 1.5 ounces heavy cream or half-and-half over the back of a spoon for that layered look.For a uniform color, simply pour and stir to blend.
6. Garnish: Add chocolate shavings, a dusting of cocoa powder, or a mini candy cane hook. Whipped cream is a fun touch if you want dessert vibes.
7. Serve immediately: Enjoy while it’s cold and silky. If the mint feels too bold, add another splash of cream or coffee liqueur.

Storage Instructions for White Russian Christmas Drink

• Make-ahead: You can pre-mix the vodka, coffee liqueur, and peppermint schnapps in a small bottle and keep it chilled for up to 1 week.Add cream right before serving.
• Leftovers: Once cream is added, the drink doesn’t store well. If you must, refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 24 hours and shake before serving.
• Garnishes: Store crushed candy cane in an airtight jar to keep it from getting sticky.

Health Benefits of White Russian Christmas Drink

• Portion control: This is a sipper, not a chugger. A small serving can satisfy a sweet craving without going overboard.
• Calcium and fat: Cream provides calcium and satiating fats, which can help you drink it slowly.
• Mindful swapping: Use half-and-half, almond creamer, or oat creamer to reduce dairy or lighten calories if desired.
• Mint’s appeal: Peppermint has a cooling effect and freshens breath temporarily, which some people find soothing after rich meals.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For

• Overpowering mint: Peppermint gets intense fast.Start small and add to taste, especially with extract.
• Too sweet: Coffee liqueur and schnapps both add sugar. Balance with more vodka or a splash of plain cream if it’s cloying.
• Watery texture: Use fresh, large ice cubes. Avoid over-stirring after adding cream.
• Curdling risk: Very acidic mixers can curdle cream; luckily, this recipe avoids citrus.If you switch liqueurs, keep that in mind.
• Warm ingredients: Room-temperature spirits melt ice faster. Chill your vodka and liqueur for a colder, smoother sip.

Recipe Variations of White Russian Christmas Drink

• Chocolate Peppermint White Russian: Add 0.5 ounce crème de cacao or a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Garnish with chocolate shavings.
• Light and Minty: Use half-and-half instead of cream and keep schnapps to 0.25 ounce for a cleaner profile.
• Dairy-Free: Swap in a barista-style oat or almond creamer.Choose unsweetened if your liqueurs are already sweet.
• Mocha Twist: Add a shot of chilled espresso for extra depth and a gentle coffee kick.
• Cookie Crumble Rim: Use crushed chocolate wafer cookies mixed with a pinch of crushed peppermint for a softer, less sticky rim.
• Vanilla Mint: Add a few drops of vanilla extract or 0.25 ounce vanilla liqueur to round out the mint.
• Frozen Peppermint White Russian: Blend all ingredients with a cup of ice until slushy; top with whipped cream.

FAQ

Can I make this drink without alcohol?

Yes. Swap vodka for cold water or milk, use coffee concentrate or cold brew instead of coffee liqueur, and add a drop of peppermint extract. Sweeten with simple syrup to taste and finish with cream.

Is peppermint schnapps the same as peppermint extract?

No.

Schnapps is a sweet, mint-flavored spirit; extract is highly concentrated flavor without sweetness. If using extract, start with 1 drop, taste, then add more if needed and consider a splash of simple syrup.

What’s the best cream for this White Russian Christmas Drink recipe?

Heavy cream gives the richest texture and classic look. Half-and-half is lighter and still smooth.

For non-dairy, choose a barista-style oat or almond creamer that foams and blends well.

Can I batch this for a party?

Absolutely. Mix vodka, coffee liqueur, and peppermint schnapps in a pitcher and chill. Set out a bowl of ice and a small pitcher of cream for guests to add individually, which keeps the texture fresh.

How do I get the layered look?

Pour the cream slowly over the back of a spoon so it floats on top of the darker base.

If it blends too quickly, your base might be warm or your ice too small; chill the spirits and use larger cubes.

What if the mint flavor is too strong?

Stir in more cream or coffee liqueur to soften it. You can also add a few ice cubes and let it sit for a minute, then taste again.

Can I use flavored vodka?

Yes. Vanilla vodka is a great match, and chocolate vodka works if you like it dessert-like.

Reduce peppermint slightly when using strongly flavored vodkas to keep balance.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint White Russian Holiday Drink is festive without fuss—creamy, cool, and reliable every time. It’s easy to personalize, whether you want it lighter, dairy-free, or chocolatey. Keep the ingredients chilled, go easy on the mint, and dress it up with a candy cane rim for instant holiday charm.

Simple, cozy, and crowd-pleasing—that’s the spirit of the season in a glass.