Peppermint Patty Cocktail Recipe

If winter had an official house drink, the Peppermint Patty cocktail would be it. Imagine
everything you love about a York Peppermint Pattie candycool mint, rich chocolate, cozy vibes
melted straight into a boozy mug (or martini glass) of happiness. That’s the Peppermint Patty:
part hot chocolate cocktail, part minty nightcap, and 100% “I’m not going outside again today.”

This guide walks you through a foolproof Peppermint Patty cocktail recipe, smart substitutions,
fun riffs (including chilled versions and party shots), plus bar-worthy tips so your drink
tastes like it came from a craft cocktail bar, not just your pantry. We’ll also talk garnishes,
make-ahead tricks, and a non-alcoholic spin so everyone can join the peppermint party.

What Is a Peppermint Patty Cocktail, Exactly?

A classic Peppermint Patty cocktail is a hot chocolate drink spiked with
peppermint schnapps and chocolate liqueur, often
crème de cacao. Some versions add crème de menthe or an extra spirit like
cognac or brandy for warmth and depth. The result is a creamy, mint-chocolate cocktail that
tastes like a grown-up dessert in a mug.

Popular recipes from sites like Betty Crocker, Life’s Ambrosia, and The Spruce Eats all follow
the same basic formula: hot cocoa + mint liqueur + chocolate liqueur + whipped cream on top,
with occasional variations such as cognac, Irish cream, or vodka.

Core Ingredients for a Peppermint Patty Cocktail

Before we get to the recipe card, let’s break down the key ingredients and what they bring to
the glass.

1. Hot Chocolate Base

You can absolutely use instant cocoa mix (many American recipes do), but upgrading to a
homemade hot chocolate basereal cocoa powder or melted chocolate with milkgives your drink a
richer, less sugary flavor. Food and cocktail writers consistently recommend using good-quality
chocolate for hot chocolate cocktails, because liqueurs already add sweetness.

2. Peppermint Schnapps

This is the minty backbone of the drink. Peppermint schnapps is a clear, sweet, high-proof
liqueur with a strong candy-cane flavor. Brands like DeKuyper and other mainstream U.S. labels
are widely used in peppermint hot chocolate and “Frosted Patty” shot recipes.

3. Crème de Cacao

Crème de cacao is a chocolate liqueur that can be either clear or dark. It adds chocolate flavor
plus vanilla notes and deepens the cocoa base. Many Peppermint Patty recipes rely on it to make
the drink taste like melted chocolate candy rather than just minty milk.

4. Optional Extras: Crème de Menthe & Cognac

Some versions add crème de menthe for more layered mint flavor and a hint of
herbal complexity, or cognac/brandy for extra warmth and depth. Recipes from
cocktail databases and blogs show combinations like peppermint schnapps + crème de menthe +
crème de cacao, or brandy plus mint liqueur in white hot chocolate.

5. Whipped Cream & Garnishes

The finishing touch is a big cloud of whipped cream plus something crunchy or pretty: crushed
candy canes, chocolate shavings, mini chocolate chips, or a whole candy cane hooked over the
rim. Many hot peppermint drink recipes suggest using whipped cream for both texture and aroma.

Best Peppermint Patty Cocktail Recipe (Hot Version)

This recipe makes 2 generous mugs of Peppermint Patty cocktailperfect for
movie night, wrapping gifts, or pretending your living room is a ski lodge.

Ingredients

• 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk or 2% milk
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder or 2 packets instant cocoa mix
• 2–3 tablespoons sugar (omit or reduce if using sweetened mix)
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) crème de cacao
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) peppermint schnapps
• Optional: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) crème de menthe or cognac
• Pinch of salt (enhances the chocolate flavor)
• Whipped cream, for topping
• Crushed candy canes or chocolate shavings, for garnish

Instructions

1. Warm the milk. In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium-low until
   steaming but not boiling. You want cozy, not lava.
2. Add cocoa and sugar. Whisk in cocoa powder and sugar (or stir in instant
   cocoa mix) until completely dissolved. Add a tiny pinch of salt.
3. Remove from the heat. Take the pan off the burner so you don’t cook off
   all the alcohol.
4. Add the liqueurs. Stir in crème de cacao and peppermint schnapps. If using
   crème de menthe or cognac, add it now.
5. Taste and adjust. Want more mint? Add a splash more schnapps. Need more
   chocolate? A bit more crème de cacao or an extra spoon of cocoa will do it.
6. Serve. Pour into two heatproof mugs, top with whipped cream, and garnish
   with crushed peppermint or chocolate shavings.

This ratio is inspired by multiple U.S. recipes that blend hot chocolate with peppermint
schnapps and chocolate liqueur, with optional add-ons for a more complex flavor profile.

Chilled Peppermint Patty & Shot Variations

Don’t want a hot drink? Or maybe you live somewhere where “winter” means “I wore a hoodie once.”
No problem. You can still enjoy a Peppermint Patty flavor profile in a chilled cocktail or shot.

1. Icy Peppermint Patty Martini

This version leans on peppermint schnapps and clear crème de cacao, shaken with ice and served
in a chilled martini glasssimilar to peppermint candy-inspired martinis from holiday cocktail
blogs.

• 1 1/2 oz peppermint schnapps
• 1 1/2 oz clear crème de cacao
• 1 oz half-and-half or heavy cream
• Ice
• Chocolate syrup and crushed peppermint for the rim (optional)

1. Rim a chilled martini glass with chocolate syrup and crushed peppermint (optional).
2. In a shaker, add ice, schnapps, crème de cacao, and cream. Shake well until very cold and
   slightly thickened.
3. Strain into the martini glass and garnish with a mini peppermint pattie if you’re feeling extra.

2. Peppermint Patty Shot (Party Style)

For holiday parties, shots are a fun way to serve the flavor without committing everyone to a
full mug. Many U.S. recipes combine equal parts peppermint schnapps and crème de cacao; some
brands also add Irish cream or vanilla vodka.

• 1/2 oz peppermint schnapps
• 1/2 oz crème de cacao (dark or clear)
• Optional: 1/2 oz Irish cream

Shake with ice and strain into a shot glass. Top with a tiny dollop of whipped cream if you’re
going full dessert mode.

How to Balance Mint and Chocolate Like a Pro

Great peppermint cocktails are all about balance. Too much peppermint schnapps,
and it tastes like mouthwash. Too much chocolate, and the mint disappears into cocoa chaos.

Tips for the Perfect Flavor Balance

• Start modest with the schnapps. It’s powerful. It’s easier to add more mint
  than to fix a drink that tastes like toothpaste.
• Use real chocolate or quality cocoa. Learned from hot chocolate and chocolate
  cocktail guides: higher-quality chocolate gives you depth without just more sugar.
• Don’t forget a pinch of salt. Salt rounds out sweetness and makes chocolate
  taste more intense.
• Whipped cream is part of the flavor, not just décor. As you sip, the whipped
  cream gradually melts into the drink, mellowing the mint and smoothing the alcohol.

Garnish Ideas for a Peppermint Patty Cocktail

If you’re serving this at a holiday party, the garnishes are where you turn “nice drink” into
“wow, I should start a cocktail Instagram.”

• Crushed candy canes sprinkled over whipped cream
• Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips
• Whole candy cane hooked on the mug for stirring
• Drizzle of chocolate syrup inside the glass before pouring
• Mini peppermint patties skewered on a cocktail pick

Recipe blogs for peppermint schnapps hot chocolate and peppermint cocktails often call out these
same garnishes as easy upgrades that make the drink look festive with basically zero effort.

Non-Alcoholic Peppermint Patty Mocktail

Want the cozy mint-chocolate vibe but not the alcohol? You can easily create a family-friendly
Peppermint Patty-style drink using peppermint extract or peppermint syrup instead of schnapps,
and chocolate syrup instead of crème de cacaoan approach many mocktail and kids’ cocoa recipes
use.

Mocktail Version (Serves 2)

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder or chocolate syrup
• 2–3 tablespoons sugar (to taste)
• 1/4–1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract or 2 tablespoons peppermint syrup
• Whipped cream & crushed peppermint for topping

1. Heat the milk and cocoa/syrup with sugar until steaming.
2. Remove from heat and stir in peppermint extract a little at a time (it’s strong).
3. Top with whipped cream and peppermint; serve in cozy mugs.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Peppermint Patty cocktails are natural stars at:

• Holiday movie nights
• Cookie exchange parties
• Post-sledding or skiing warm-ups
• New Year’s Eve dessert bars

They pair well with treats that don’t compete too hard with the mint:

• Shortbread cookies or butter cookies
• Brownies or chocolate pound cake
• Cheesecake bites (especially plain or chocolate)
• Lightly spiced cookies like snickerdoodles

Make-Ahead & Batch Tips

Hosting a crowd? You can prep the base and add the booze later so you’re not bartending all
night.

• Make a big pot of hot chocolate and keep it warm in a slow cooker or insulated
  beverage dispenser.
• Set out bottles of peppermint schnapps and crème de cacao with a simple sign:
  “Add 1–2 oz of each per mug.”
• Put whipped cream, candy canes, and chocolate sprinkles on a “garnish bar” so guests can
  decorate their drinks.

This setup mirrors how many party-focused recipes suggest serving hot cocktails: a non-alcoholic
base plus optional add-ins so guests can control strength.

Common Questions About Peppermint Patty Cocktails

Can I use regular hot cocoa mix?

Absolutely. Many mainstream U.S. recipes call for instant cocoa packets. You’ll get a sweeter,
more nostalgic flavor. If you prefer a less sugary drink, use unsweetened cocoa and add sugar
yourself.

Is crème de cacao required?

Technically you could skip it and rely on chocolatey hot cocoa, but you’d lose some of that
deep chocolate liqueur flavor that makes the drink feel like a true cocktail. If you must
substitute, try a different chocolate liqueur or a splash of chocolate syrup plus a small bump
in schnapps.

Can I make it lighter?

Use 2% milk instead of whole milk, go lighter on the whipped cream, and keep the liqueur
portions on the smaller side. You’ll still get the minty-chocolate experience, just a little less
indulgent.

What if I don’t like strong mint?

Start with half the peppermint schnapps the recipe calls for and add more in small increments.
You want “candy cane,” not “chewing gum disaster.”

of Real-Life Peppermint Patty Cocktail Wisdom

The first time you make a Peppermint Patty cocktail, there’s a good chance you’ll treat the
recipe like hot chocolate with a side of chaos: just pour in whatever peppermint bottle you have
and hope for the best. That’s how a lot of people end up with their “wow, that was…aggressive”
story about peppermint schnapps. The secret is understanding that mint liqueur behaves like
vanilla extract: a little goes a long way.

One of the most common experiences people share with peppermint cocktails is overdoing the
schnapps at holiday parties. You think, “It’s sweet, how bad can it be?” Then two mugs later,
you realize you’ve basically had liquid candy canes with a decent ABV. When you’re serving this
drink to guests, it helps to pre-measure the liqueurs or use a small jigger at the bar. That
way every mug is balanced and you don’t end up with one drink that tastes like a peppermint
truffle and another that tastes like a dentist’s rinse.

Another big realization: temperature changes flavor. A Peppermint Patty served
piping hot will taste softer and more rounded; served warm or closer to room temperature, the
alcohol and mint stand out much more. If you’ve ever made a mug that seemed a little flat, try
reheating it gently and tasting again after topping with fresh whipped cream. The cream cools
each sip slightly and smooths out any harsh edges.

People also learn quickly that garnishes aren’t just for looks. Crushed candy canes melted into
the whipped cream add more peppermint aroma with each sip. Chocolate shavings or a drizzle of
syrup deepen the cocoa notes without any recipe math. Even a simple whole candy cane hooked on
the rim gives guests something to stir with as they sip, slowly adjusting sweetness and mint
strength as the candy dissolves.

If you host often, you’ll discover that the Peppermint Patty cocktail is a natural “tradition
drink.” It’s the kind of recipe that starts with, “Let’s try this weird mint hot chocolate I
saw online,” and a few winters later people show up to your house asking, “You’re making the
peppermint thing again this year, right?” It’s easy to batch, visually impressive, and flexible
enough for different preferences: you can set out a non-alcoholic base for kids and
non-drinkers, plus liqueurs, cream, and toppings for everyone else.

A lot of home hosts also report that a Peppermint Patty bar helps solve the “dessert or drink?”
dilemma. Instead of plating heavy cake or pie after a big holiday meal, you can serve light
cookies and these cocktails. Guests who are too full can still enjoy a half mug, and fans of
dessert cocktails get their moment. It feels indulgent without requiring a full second course.

Finally, once you’ve made this drink a few times, you start experimenting. Maybe you swap
straight hot chocolate for white hot chocolate and lean into a snow-white mug with green mint
drizzle. Maybe you add a splash of coffee liqueur for a mocha-peppermint twist. Or you convert
the recipe into an iced summer version: chilled cocoa, peppermint schnapps, crème de cacao,
lots of ice, and whipped cream piled high in a glass. The basic idea remains the same, but you
can adapt it to whatever season, mood, or bottle you have on hand.

That’s the real charm of the Peppermint Patty cocktail: once you know the foundationchocolate,
mint, heat, creamyou can turn it into a cozy winter ritual, a party showstopper, or a simple
“I survived today” treat. One mug, a few liqueurs, and suddenly the holidays feel just a little
more magical.

Conclusion

The Peppermint Patty cocktail is more than just spiked hot chocolateit’s a minty, chocolatey
ritual that turns any cold night into an excuse to celebrate. With a simple base of hot cocoa,
peppermint schnapps, and crème de cacao, you can customize it with crème de menthe, cognac,
festive garnishes, and even non-alcoholic variations. Whether you serve it in mugs by the
fireplace or as frosty martinis at a holiday party, this peppermint hot chocolate cocktail will
quickly become one of your most requested recipes.