This sweet holiday martini has lots of peppermint and vanilla flavor, just like a peppermint marshmallow!
There is a terrible Christmas song called “Marshmallow World”. You may have heard of it. You also may have noticed that I did NOT include it on the holiday playlist that I made for you. That is because I really, really don’t like it. Probably because of the one year that I was working retail and it was on the Christmas CD that we had to listen to for three months straight. It was a 4 hour long CD that we had to play on repeat from October through the end of December. So I managed to listen to this song 2-3 times a day for three months. Despite my lack of love for this song, it always runs through my head when I make this drink, and I even sing along. That is because this drink will really make you feel like it is a marshmallow world.
So. This drink doesn’t actually have any marshmallows in it, but it tastes just like a peppermint marshmallow. Or peppermint ice cream. If you love peppermint you will love this drink. I originally made this with peppermint schnapps, but I decided to try it with a homemade peppermint vanilla syrup this time instead. The main reason is because I never, ever use peppermint schnapps except for this drink, and I didn’t want to buy a huge bottle and then have it lying around for years and years. The other reason is that when you use peppermint schnapps in this cocktail, it makes it a really, REALLY strong drink. Like, maybe too strong. I know, I can’t believe I’m saying it either.
The peppermint vanilla syrup is easy to whip up, it is just a simple syrup with some vanilla and peppermint extract added. I realized that the peppermint extract I have is actually peppermint OIL, which leaves some small oil pools in the drink. If you don’t want that, be sure you use peppermint extract and not peppermint oil. The peppermint oil has a great flavor, but the oil may be a little off-putting for some people.
I used crushed candy canes to rim the glass, which is optional but gives the drink some flair since it is all white. I just crushed up some mini candy canes in my mini food processor (everything was mini!!). Oh, and I bought those mini candy canes intending to hang them on the side of the drink which I then totally forgot to do (facepalm). Is it Friday yet? Oh, wait, it is Friday! BRB, gonna go have another peppermint marshmallow martini.
Peppermint Marshmallow Martini
Ingredients
- 2 ounces whipped vodka or marshmallow or vanilla
- 2 ounces half and half
- 1 ounce peppermint vanilla syrup see below
- crushed candy canes for garnish optional
Instructions
- To garnish glass, dip rim in peppermint vanilla syrup, then dip in crushed candy canes.
- To mix drink, combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until cold, pour into martini glass and serve.
Nutrition
Peppermint Vanilla Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine sugar and water in a sauce pan, bring to a simmer.
- Stir to make sure all sugar has dissolved.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool. Add vanilla and peppermint extract.
- Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
What kinds of fun things do you have planned for this week? Does it involve cocktails?
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Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Somehow I missed this post, but since it was taunting me with its deliciousness on Instagram I had to come by, find it and check it out!! This martini looks absolutely fabulous, Meghan! The red and white is so festively fun and peppermint anything rocks my world. Needless to say, this needs to be shaken together in my house! I haven’t heard of the song “marshmallow world”, but from your rave reviews (lol) I don’t think I will be going out of my way to listen to it!! 😉 Warm wishes for a beautiful holiday, my sweets! Cheers- clink clink! <3
Meghan says
Haha, well don’t way I didn’t warn you about Marshmallow World! But thank you so much Cheyanne, Have a Happy Holiday as well!!
Linda | The Baker Who Kerns says
Wow what a cocktail! This just looks too fancy to drink! I really love that crushed candy cane garnish! Oh and I just leave my headphones on whenever I go into a store shopping. I don’t care if I look asocial but all those songs are driving me crazy!
Meghan says
Thanks Linda! I leave my headphones on when I go to the store too, but that is mostly just me being anti-social, ha!
Izzy @ she likes food says
I don’t think I’ve ever heard that song before, I might just have to look it up! This martini is so creative and sounds delicious! It also sounds kind dangerous because I could probably drink about ten!
Meghan says
If you look it up, the rat pack version is the least bad 🙂 Thank you Izzy, they are a bit dangerous because they go down really easily. Yo ucan have a few before you really know it!
Stephanie | The Foodie and The Fix says
I have to admit, I’m not exactly in love with “Marshmallow World” either, BUT…. I do kind of enjoy the hokeyness of bad Christmas songs in general. It may actually be because I worked in retail for several years and it’s happy nostalgia for me 🙂 Also, I think the best idea ever would be to have a martini bar with the ingredients to this and your Gingerbread Martini for Christmas day. I should get on that, people would love me. This sounds freaking amazing (and is completely adorable). Anyway. I hope you have a great Christmas, Meghan!
Meghan says
Thank you Stephanie, I wish you a Merry Christmas as well! I actually like MOST Christmas music, and if the nostagia factor is there, even better! ALSO that hoiday martini bar sounds pretty great 🙂
Natasha @ Salt & Lavender says
Oh man, these look good!! I’m a total scrooge and hate most Xmas music. I’m starting to get overwhelmed especially since my husband is obsessed!! I can relate to hating things because of retail. That’s how I feel about Shrek. Many moons ago I worked in a furniture/electronics store and it was playing non-stop for months. *shudder*
Meghan says
Thank you Natasha! Yes, having to listen to the same thing over and over is special kind of torture and will ruin any song or movie.
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
What fun! I love how festive these are….can’t even imagine how wonderful these must taste!
Meghan says
Thank you Kathy!
annie says
I don’t like that song either. I also can’t stand “Don’t They Know It’s Christmas?” It’s so judgey and contrived.
I think I need a cocktail to drown out bad Xmas music….and this is such a good one. I love how easy it is. That peppermint rim is the cutest. Candy and booze, my kind of holiday.
Meghan says
Yes, I also hate that song! Sooo many bad Christmas songs. But so many good ones, so it balances. Thank you Annie, candy and booze ftw!
E.A. says
Very pretty!! Love how festive this looks & also how you make your simple syrups~~very cool~
❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Meghan says
Thank you!
Melanie @ Melanie Cooks says
I’ve never seen crushed candy cane used on a martini glass rim! This is genius, and so festive!
Meghan says
Thanks Melanie!