This peppermint mocha espresso martini is an easy (yet fancy!) make-at-home cocktail that’s just perfect for the holiday season! Made with pantry staples that you likely already have on hand (no need to run to the store for any special ingredients), and simple enough that it can be whipped up in just a few minutes. Delightfully creamy, and infused with plenty of chocolate and peppermint notes. A real treat of a drink to cozy up with throughout the winter season!

A peppermint mocha espresso martini in a martini glass with the rim lined with chocolate and peppermint candy, a hand reaching into the frame to hold the stem. — Creamy, chocolatey, and delightfully festive, this espresso martini is a staple at our house during the holidays!

The best festive espresso martini

There is something about the holiday season that makes it all the more fun to whip up a fancy cocktail at home.

Perhaps the lure is the ability to enjoy said drink while warm and toasty in PJ’s and slippers?

Espresso martinis fall firmly into the category of my favorite homemade cocktails, and my love of peppermint lattes also runs deep this time of year, so naturally I had to make a recipe for a peppermint mocha espresso martini!

Instead of relying on fancy liqueurs that you’ll probably only pull off the shelf a few times a year, this martini is made with pantry staples like cocoa powder, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract that you may already have on hand for your holiday baking.

Which means that it’s not only irresistibly delicious, but also easy and accessible to make!

If you love espresso martinis as much as we do, you’ll also want to check out our recipes for a classic espresso martini, eggnog espresso martinis with rum, and pumpkin spice espresso martinis. We have a thing for this drink!

Overhead shot to show the top of a peppermint mocha espresso martini garnished with cocoa powder and coffee beans — We love garnishing the drink with a little extra sprinkle of cocoa powder, and of course – 3 espresso beans for health, wealth, and happiness 🙂

Ingredients for peppermint mocha espresso martinis — This yummy martini is made with just a handful of simple ingredients. You’ll need all the basics that you’d use for a classic espresso martini, with a few additions (cocoa powder, peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and creamer) for that peppermint mocha pizzaz!

Can you make an espresso martini without espresso?

I say yes!

There are many varied opinions on this question, but based on my experience you can totally make a DELICIOUS espresso martini without espresso. Extra strong coffee, cold brew concentrate, instant coffee, or instant espresso all work well.

We love this high quality organic brand of instant coffee if you’re curious about what we’d use.

Should you use hot or cold espresso?

Again, this is a topic with varied opinions, but based on my experience hot espresso or hot coffee produces the best espresso martini.

I think it has something to do with the oils that are in the coffee beans and the crema that you see in fresh espresso that helps create the foam on top of the martini.

But if all you have is cold brew or room temperature coffee it will also work, you may just end up with less foam than if you were using hot espresso.

If using hot esspresso, it is important to add it last, so it doesn’t melt all the ice in your shaker while you measure and pour the other ingredients.

How to make a peppermint mocha espresso martini

How to make Peppermint Mocha Espresso Martinis: Adding the vodka to an etched glass cocktail shaker filled with ice. — Start by adding ice to your cocktail mixer, along with the vodka.

How to make Peppermint Mocha Espresso Martinis: Adding the Kahlua to an etched glass cocktail shaker filled with ice. — Start by adding ice to your cocktail mixer, along with the vodka.

How to rim your martini glass with peppermint candy

While not necessary, the extra step of lining the rim of your martini glass with peppermint candy does add a festive touch!

I tested it a couple different ways and found that this is the easiest way to do it:

Melt a small amount of chocolate in a flat, shallow bowl (big enough to fit the rim of your glass). Crush some candy canes and transfer to a small plate.
Dip the martini glass into the chocolate – just enough to coat about an 1/8 of an inch of the rim. Allow the excess chocolate to drip off into the bowl.
Before the chocolate dries, roll the edge in the crushed candy canes. You can also pick up candy cane pieces with your fingers and sprinkle them onto the wet chocolate.
Move the garnished martini glass to the refrigerator to set the chocolate quickly so it’s ready to use!

A creamy cocktail in a ribbed glass with a crushed peppermint rim, topped with cocoa powder and coffee beans, sits on a round marble coaster with festive greenery and candy cane pieces nearby.

Pinterest Pin for Peppermint Mocha Espresso Martinis

If you enjoyed this espresso martini we’d love it if you would take a moment to rate and review it below! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 It’s also a great place to get your questions answered, and helpful for other readers if you share any modifications you made to the recipe.

Thank you for sharing your kitchen with NK. We’re so grateful you’re here!