This creamy Peppermint White Russian stars vodka, Kahlua, and peppermint schnapps for a minty twist on the traditional cocktail! It’s festive and ideal for winter entertaining.

In case you’re in search of a festive wintery cocktail that’s candy and creamy, may I counsel the Peppermint White Russian? I don’t drink candy cocktails typically, however this spin on the traditional White Russian has gained me over.
After a number of rounds of recipe testing, I discovered that this minty spin may truly be extra fascinating than the unique. The peppermint doesn’t simply add taste: it makes the drink style like liquid peppermint bark with a espresso kick! (What’s to not love?)
Substances in a Peppermint White Russian
The White Russian is a traditional cocktail that’s been round because the 1950’s, made with vodka, heavy cream, and low liqueur. It’s a spin-off on one other traditional cocktail, the Black Russian, which merely pairs vodka and Kahlua. You may know the White Russian from the 1998 film The Large Lebowski, but it surely’s acquired for much longer historical past.
For the Peppermint White Russian variation, you merely add peppermint schnapps so as to add a minty end to every sip. It mellows out the flavors into an much more fascinating stability. Right here’s what you’ll want:
Understanding Peppermint Schnapps Proof
Right here’s one thing I discovered the laborious manner: you’ll discover three completely different proof ranges at most shops:
- 30 proof (15% ABV) – Milder and sweeter
- 60 proof (30% ABV) – Customary energy
- 100 proof (50% ABV) – Very robust
In case your bottle says 100 proof, use half the quantity known as for within the recipe and style as you go. I made the error of utilizing the complete quantity with 100 proof schnapps as soon as, and the drink packed manner an excessive amount of punch! The 60 proof selection is my go-to.


Tips on how to make a Peppermint White Russian
The Peppermint White Russian is so simple to make! You’ll be able to construct it proper within the glass: no have to whip out a cocktail shaker or mixing glass. Right here’s the best way to make it:
- Add the vodka, Kahlua and peppermint schnapps to a lowball glass. Then pour within the cream.
- Stir gently to get the swirl impact. Stir the drink instantly and it’ll flip off-white. It’s extra enjoyable to get the swirl impact! Stir it gently only a few occasions, and the cream will swirl in a ravishing sample.
Tip: To step up the drink, strive it with clear ice which is crystal clear, as an alternative of cloudy like regular ice. It makes the drink seem like it got here from an upscale bar! Go to Tips on how to Make Clear Ice.
How Candy is This Drink?
The White Russian is a notoriously candy drink, due to the Kahlua. This espresso liqueur provides a hearty dose of sugar to the drink! Tia Maria is a extra subtle model of the espresso liqueur, and it makes a barely extra balanced drink. You can contemplate this for a classier spin right here.
The peppermint schnapps additionally provides sweetness, however curiously the minty taste helps to stability out the sweetness. In our opinion, the Peppermint White Russian tastes extra balanced than the traditional, but it surely’s nonetheless a reasonably candy drink


Cream Options
This can be a fairly wealthy drink, so identical to with my traditional White Russian I like utilizing some options to the heavy cream. Listed here are a number of I’ve examined:
- Half and Half: That is my go-to lighter substitution: it nonetheless makes swirls and has sufficient richness to really feel satisfying.
- Entire Milk: This works however creates a barely extra watery drink. You may make 2% work, however I’d keep away from 1% or skim.
- Full fats coconut milk (or oat milk): For a dairy-free White Russian, I like coconut milk (canned, full fats) because it nonetheless makes the swirls. You can additionally use oat milk however it’s thinner.
Methods to Serve This Festive Cocktail
This Peppermint White Russian is right served as a vacation cocktail. Listed here are a number of methods I prefer to serve it:
Peppermint White Russian
This creamy Peppermint White Russian stars vodka, Kahlua, and peppermint schnapps for a minty twist on the traditional cocktail! It’s festive and ideal for winter entertaining.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: 0 minutes
- Complete Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Class: Drink
- Technique: Stirred
- Delicacies: Cocktails
- Weight loss plan: Vegan
- ½ ounce 30 proof or 60 proof* peppermint schnapps
- 1 ½ ounces** vodka
- 1 ounce Kahlua (or different espresso liqueur like Tia Maria)
- 1 ounce heavy cream (or entire or 2% milk)
- Add the peppermint schnapps, vodka and Kahlua to a low ball glass. Fill it with ice.
Prime with the cream or milk. Stir till chilly (or stir only a bit to get the swirl impact).
Notes
*Examine the bottle earlier than you make this drink! If utilizing 100 proof (50% ABV) schnapps, use half the amount and customise to style.
**To transform to ounces, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons

