Candy Cane Cocktail

As with any good recipe, the proper ingredients are crutial. I was looking for the perfect christmas cocktail recipe and stumbled on this one. We were having lunch at Runyons, a long time Minneapolis restaurant with a great bar.

We were seated at the bar, so I asked the bartender if she could make this drint. She said she didn’t have vanilla rum but thought vanilla vodka would work well. I told her to trust her judgement. It was delicious. I made sure to get photos of all the ingredients she used.

That afternoon I hit our local Total wine. They were out of the vodka and chocolate she used so I just picked up some that were similar. Made it at home and it was good but not great. Scanned for other stores that DID have the missing ingredients. Just got finished making another and it was perfect with a tiny twist. I did add a shot of liquid heavy cream with adds a touch of smoothness.

So here’s the ingredients I used

Stolichnaya Vanilla vodka
Tippy Cow Chocolate
Rumple Minze Peppermint Schnapps
Heavy Whipping Cream

Cheers and Merry Christmas

Awesome

I initially made this recipe as written, but my friends and family found it too strong and almost medicinal. I now make it with the addition of half-and-half in equal parts to the liquor. I dip the rims in half-and-half and then into candy cane dust, and it’s my signature cocktail for the season. 

I made an (accidental) adaptation to this and it was delicious!

To some of the previous reviewers, I used vanilla vodka instead of the rum. I accidentally bought cinnamon goldenshlagger instead of peppermint and made a batch anyway and it was seasonal, certainly strong but a big hit. (one part vanilla vodka, one part godiva white chocolate, 1/2 part goldenshlapper cinnamon) No question it is a martini so warn your guests. I also tried making the schnapps version. with half the suggested amount of peppermint I found the taste to be still a little strong but peppermint lovers enjoyed it.

For presentation I used orange juice on the rim of martini glasses and got some red and white sugar crystals then hung mini peppermint canes and this will definitely be a go-to for all my future holiday parties.

not undrinkable, but nearly there. definitely not something to savor sips of. super sweet and super boozy. I think I might make this drink with some white chocolate seltzer and cut down on the liqueur, because that milky taste from the white chocolate liqueur is a little gag-worthy to me. or maybe just adding ice would make it more palatable.

Oh my goodness. This drink made me a joke at the holiday party. I wanted a yummy dessert drink, but this is crazy strong! My sister called it cough syrup. It could be the rum as many suggest vanilla vodka instead… what went wrong? Is all peppermint schnapps 100 proof ? Next year, I’m back to cookies or a nice plate of cheese and crackers. Sorry, Sandra.

I made these for our Christmas Day get together. Everyone gave them a big thumbs up! I used vanilla vodka instead of the vanilla rum. I added a little bit of whip cream on top too…..delicious. This recipe is a keeper

I have another recipe I’ve made – a candy cane martini – using essentially the same ingredients, but also use half and half and definitely use Vanilla Vodka, not rum. Instead of candy canes to rim the glasses (which as many note, doesn’t really work, I place red and green crystals (used for sprinkling on cookies on a plate – one half of the plate red, one half green – and that looks very festive.

I love this drink, we make them every year when we are putting the tree up.

Has become a 4 year now requested favorite in my family, both sides. Just test it first so you know how strong it is or how you would like to tweak it around to be sure it is not too strong for those guests who will be driving home. Otherwise? My family is furious when I don’t serve this, it’s is yummy however strong or weak you make it. If you can’t find the vanilla flavored vodka, I have been known to add a couple of drops of white vanilla flavoring into a batch of vodka. And if you want to weaken it, little bit of cold whole milk does the trick.