Candy Cane Swirl Cocktail Recipe
Festive, sweet, and swirled with peppermint cheer — this candy cane cocktail is the holiday sip you’ll be making all Christmas season!
A candy cane swirl has been our signature holiday cocktail for a long time! This festive drink is absolutely perfect for celebrating Christmas with family and friends.
This Christmas Moscow mule is another cocktail that we love to serve this time of year. With holiday parties just around the corner, these recipes are sure to become some of your favorite holiday drinks!
The holidays are busy enough — wrapping gifts, baking cookies, and refereeing who gets the last candy cane from the tree. That’s why I’m always looking for ways to keep up the Christmas spirit.
And this candy cane cocktail recipe is always on the menu. It has been a family favorite at our Christmas gatherings for years, and it never fails to get people chatting, laughing, and clinking glasses.
It’s bright, it’s minty, and it feels just as cozy as curling up in your PJs to watch holiday movies. It’s like holiday cheer in liquid form.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll adore this cocktail because it’s simple to shake up, totally festive, and tastes like Christmas in a glass. The mixtures of cranberry, peppermint schnapps, and just a splash of bubbly soda create the perfect balance of sweet and refreshing.
Plus, the crushed candy canes on the rim of the glass add that “wow” factor you’ll be proud to show off. Whether you serve it one glass at a time or from a pitcher for a crowd, it’s guaranteed to spread holiday cheer.
What is a Cocktail?
A cocktail is typically a mixed drink with hard alcohol as the base, with the addition of sweetened liqueurs and garnishes. This one is delightfully festive with the addition of candy cane flavors.
Christmas cocktail recipes are surprisingly easy to create and fun to make during the holidays! I think that a candy cane swirl, served in a beautifully garnished martini glass, adds the perfect pop of color and holiday cheer to any Christmas event.
More Holiday Drink Recipes
- Hot Toddy Whiskey Recipe
- Cranberry Christmas Cocktail
- Candy Cane Swirl Cocktail
- Christmas Moscow Mule
- Pomegranate Mojito
- Christmas Red Sangria
- Vodka Cranberry Recipe
- Christmas Keto Cocktail
- Pomegranate Mimosa
- Christmas White Sangria
- Cranberry Simple Syrup
Be sure to check out these 20+ Best Christmas Cocktails too!
How to Garnish a Holiday Cocktail
- Add lime slices to the rim of the glass.
- Create a berry garnish by simply dropping cranberries into your cocktail. Fresh cranberries float and are a great way to add a pop of color to your drinks!
- Fresh rosemary placed into the swirl makes a great addition to the taste and texture of this drink.
- Serve with a candy cane or even add a dash of peppermint extract!
Variations for Holiday Cocktail Recipes
- Experiment with different liquor flavors! Try adding fresh lime juice or oranges to this recipe.
- Replace the cranberry juice with apple cider to create a yummy apple cocktail recipe.
- Use vodka infused with lemon, lime, or oranges for an even richer citrus kick to this recipe.
- Ginger ale or simple syrup can be added to this recipe for more sweetness and carbonation.
- Pomegranate seeds could be used instead of candy canes.
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Some of My Kitchen Essentials for Cocktails
- I love using these mixing pitchers for all of my drinks.
- These silicone spatulas are perfect for mixing and stirring cocktails.
- This Henckel knife is my favorite for slicing and dicing in the kitchen.
- This cocktail muddler is perfect for muddling the lime and mint in mojitos.
Candy Cane Swirl Recipe
Ingredients
- Vodka – Plain vodka keeps it classic, but vanilla vodka adds a creamy twist.
- Cranberry juice – Bright, tart, and so festive, it’s not really Christmas without cranberries.
- Grenadine – A sweet pop of red that makes your drink sparkle.
- Peppermint schnapps – Brings that iconic candy cane flavor.
- Splash of Sprite or 7-Up – A little fizz to keep things lively.
- Ice cubes – Because nobody likes a lukewarm cocktail.
- Crushed candy canes or mini candy canes for garnish – To add peppermint crunch to the rim of your glass and a garnish that doubles as a stir stick.
Instructions
1. Dip the rim of the martini glass (or your favorite festive glass) into a small dish of water, then into the crushed candy canes.
2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, mix together vodka, grenadine, schnapps, and cranberry juice.
3. Strain into your prepared glass, add a splash of soda, and garnish with a small candy cane.
Tips and Tricks
- To easily crush your candy canes without making a huge mess, put them in a Ziploc bag and use a mallet or rolling pin to smash them.
- Swap in white crème de menthe or white crème de cacao for the peppermint schnapps for a creamier, dessert-style drink.
- Add a splash of heavy cream or simple syrup for a sweeter, silkier texture.
- Double (or triple!) the recipe in a pitcher for easy serving at holiday parties.
- Chill your glass in the freezer for 15 minutes to keep drinks icy cold.
- Try peppermint vodka or homemade candy cane syrup for an extra pepperminty kick.
Be sure to add this yummy peppermint-flavored cocktail to your next holiday party! Check out our Elf Party shenanigans, where we regularly serve this drink. Cheers!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this candy cane cocktail ahead of time?
Yes! Mix the liquid ingredients (vodka, schnapps, cranberry juice, and grenadine) in a pitcher and keep it chilled. Add soda and garnish right before serving.
What’s the best garnish for a holiday cocktail?
Crushed candy canes on the rim, a mini candy cane, floating cranberries, or even a sprig of rosemary look beautiful and festive.
Can I make a creamy version of this drink?
Definitely! Use vanilla vodka, a splash of heavy cream, and a little white crème de cacao for a velvety holiday martini.
Is there a non-alcoholic version?
Absolutely. Skip the vodka and schnapps, and shake together cranberry juice, grenadine, and lemon-lime soda.
How many calories are in a candy cane cocktail?
The calorie count depends on your mix-ins, but typically ranges between 150–220 calories per glass.
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Candy Cane Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 oz vodka
- 3 oz cranberry juice
- ½ oz grenadine
- ½ oz peppermint schnapps
- Splash of Sprite or 7-Up
- Ice cubes
- Crushed candy canes or mini peppermint candy cane for garnish
Instructions
- Dip the rim of the glass in water and then in the crushed candy canes.
- Over ice, mix together vodka, grenadine, schnapps, and cranberry juice.
- Add a splash of soda and mini candy cane for garnish.
Video
Notes
- To easily crush your candy canes without making a huge mess, put them in a Ziploc bag and use a mallet or rolling pin to smash them.
- Swap in white crème de menthe or white crème de cacao for the peppermint schnapps for a creamier, dessert-style drink.
- Add a splash of heavy cream or simple syrup for a sweeter, silkier texture.
- Double (or triple!) the recipe in a pitcher for easy serving at holiday parties.
- Chill your glass in the freezer for 15 minutes to keep drinks icy cold.
- Try peppermint vodka or homemade candy cane syrup for an extra pepperminty kick.
Nutrition
