Collage of creme de menthe drinks

Creme de Menthe Drink Recipes for Christmas Time

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Creme de menthe is a sweet, mint-flavored liqueur made from peppermint or spearmint. It’s perfect for a creme de menthe drink in the holiday season. 

In the summer months, our garden is overflowing with mint leaves. We are constantly out there trimming back the plants and harvesting mint leaves. Once we have enough, I like to make homemade creme de menthe liqueur that we can put away for special occasions and holiday celebrations in the wintertime. 

Crème de menthe is a key ingredient in many holiday cocktail recipes. The green color and minty flavor both mean the sweet treats are perfect for a celebration on Christmas Eve or a Christmas party at that time of year. The mint flavor of crème de menthe reminds me of a candy cane in drink form. It makes the perfect cocktail addition for a festive drink. 

About Crème de Menthe

  • Color: Creme de menthe is available in two colors: bright green and white or clear. The green version gets its color from added coloring, while the white version is clear. Both types, however, have the same minty taste.
  • Flavor: It has a strong peppermint flavor, making this mint liqueur a common ingredient in cocktails and desserts, especially for holiday parties. 
  • Alcohol Content: Typically, crème de menthe has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of around 25-30%, but this can vary by brand.
  • Uses in Cocktails: Popular drinks that include crème de menthe are the Grasshopper, which combines it with creme de cocoa and cream, and the Stinger, which pairs it with brandy.
  • Culinary Uses: It’s also used to flavor and color desserts, such as in grasshopper pie or as a drizzle over ice cream.
  • Origin: The liqueur is believed to have originated in France, where it has been produced since the 19th century.

Crème de Menthe Cocktails & Drink Ideas

Originally Published On: September 30, 2024

Minty Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

  • 1 cup hot chocolate
  • 1 oz creme de menthe
  • Whipped cream
  • Crushed peppermint (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare hot chocolate as desired.
  2. Stir in the creme de menthe.
  3. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with crushed peppermint.

Christmas Mojito

Ingredients

  • 10 fresh mint leaves
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 1 oz white rum
  • 1 oz creme de menthe
  • Club soda
  • Lime slice and mint sprig (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Muddle mint leaves and lime juice in a glass.
  2. Add rum and creme de menthe, then fill with ice.
  3. Top with club soda and garnish with a lime slice and mint sprig.

Mint Chocolate Martini

Ingredients

  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1 oz chocolate liqueur
  • 1 oz creme de menthe
  • Chocolate shavings (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a shaker filled with ice, combine vodka, chocolate liqueur, and creme de menthe.
  2. Give the drink a good shake and then strain it into a chilled martini glass.
  3. Garnish with chocolate shavings.

Creme de Menthe Eggnog

Ingredients

  • 1 cup eggnog
  • 1 oz creme de menthe
  • Ground nutmeg (for garnish)
  • Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a glass, combine eggnog and creme de menthe.
  2. Stir gently and top with a little whipped cream if desired.
  3. Sprinkle with ground nutmeg for garnish.

Minty White Russian

Ingredients

  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur
  • 1 oz creme de menthe
  • Heavy cream (to taste)

Instructions

  1. In a glass filled with ice, add vodka, coffee liqueur, and creme de menthe.
  2. Top with heavy cream and stir gently.

Holiday Mint Spritz

Ingredients

  • 3 oz sparkling wine or club soda
  • 1 oz creme de menthe
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
  • Lemon twist (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a glass, combine creme de menthe and lemon juice.
  2. Top with sparkling wine or club soda.
  3. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Classic Grasshopper Cocktail

Ingredients

  • 1 oz green crème de menthe
  • 1 oz white crème de cacao
  • 1 oz heavy cream
  • Ice
  • Mint leaves (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Optionally, garnish the grasshopper drink with a sprig of mint.
  2. Place a cocktail glass in the freezer to chill.
  3. In a shaker, combine the green crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and heavy cream.
  4. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well until the mixture is chilled.
  5. Remove the glass from the freezer and strain the mixture into it.

Creme de Menthe Drink Supplies Needed

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Muddler
  • Mixing Spoons
  • Measuring Cups/Spoons
  • Serving Glasses or Mugs

Garnish Ideas

  • Candy Canes
  • Crushed Peppermints
  • Vanilla Ice Cream
  • White Creme de Cacao
  • Whipped Cream
  • Mint Leaves
  • Red Sprinkles
  • Green Sprinkles

Substitutions

If you can’t find crème de menthe and aren’t able to make it yourself, try substituting it with one of these:

  • Mint Simple Syrup
  • Peppermint Schnapps
  • Vanilla Vodka with Peppermint Extract
  • Cheap Vodka infused with Mint Tea
  • White Creme de Menthe Syrup, which tastes the same as green creme de menthe but doesn’t have the green color
  • Peppermint Vodka

Other Recipes to Try

Grasshopper Pie Milkshake
Grasshopper Pie Milkshake
All the lusciousness of Grasshopper Pie in a milkshake! Creamy chocolate-mint ice cream, Creme de Menthe and chocolate cookie crumbs. Gluten-free (based on cookie choice).
View The Recipe
Frozen Grasshopper Ice Cream Drink – Art of Natural Living
Frozen Grasshopper Ice Cream Drink – Art of Natural Living
Creamy, cool and minty, with just the right hint of booze, the Frozen Grasshopper Ice Cream Drink is a tasty cocktail or dessert drink.
View The Recipe
Grinch Cocktail - Creamy, Sweet, & Minty With a Subtle Cinnamon Spice
Grinch Cocktail – Creamy, Sweet, & Minty With a Subtle Cinnamon Spice
A Grinch Cocktail is simply a combination of 4 liquids shaken with ice, colored green, and festively flavored for Christmas, with a sneaky, spicy surprise throughout that’s disguised to taste innocent! Each sip of this easy-to-make alcohol mixture is creamy, sweet, and minty with a subtle cinnamon spice that produces the perfect boozy beverage that cannot steal the holiday spirit–for adults only!
View The Recipe

Cocktail Drinks

4 thoughts on “Creme de Menthe Drink Recipes for Christmas Time”

  2. SONIA SEIVWRIGHT

    I love the idea of making homemade crème de menthe from your garden mint! Sounds like the perfect way to capture the summer and enjoy it in the winter.The Mint Chocolate Martini has me sold; I can already see myself snuggled up by the fire with one of those in hand. Thanks for sharing your festive thoughts and recipes—can’t wait to try them out at my holiday parties!

    Reply

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