This refreshing peppermint vodka cocktail is made with only 2 ingredients, including a homemade candy cane vodka! It’s perfect for the holidays!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 2 cocktails

Ingredients

Candy Cane Vodka

• 2 cups plain vodka
• 5 whole peppermint candy canes*
• optional: one drop red food coloring

Peppermint Vodka Cocktail

• 4 oz peppermint vodka**
• 2 oz crème de cacao***
• ice, for serving
• optional: finely crushed candy canes to rim the glass

Instructions

1. Make the candy cane vodka. In a large mason jar or airtight container, combine the vodka with the candy canes. The canes should be fully submerged. Let the candy canes sit in the vodka until dissolved, 3-4 hours. Keep the vodka sealed, in a dark place for 1-3 days before using in a cocktail. If you wish, you may pour the vodka through a fine mesh sieve to get rid of any remaining candy cane particles. Add 1 drop of red food coloring, if desired, for a prettier pink hue.
2. Make the peppermint vodka. If rimming the glasses with crushed candy cane, moisten the edge of the cocktail glasses before dipping them in the finely crushed candy cane.
3. In a cocktail shaker, combine the peppermint vodka and crème de cacao with 2 cubes of ice. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds, then strain the mixture into 2 different cocktail glasses filled with 2-3 cubes of ice. Serve immediately.

Notes

*Be sure to use the red and white striped candy canes, not the ones with green or you’ll end up with an undesirable color!

**If you did not happen to make any candy cane vodka, you can also use a peppermint vodka found at the liquor store.

***The crème de cacao needs to be the clear kind.