Peppermint Espresso Martini

Prep: 5minutes mins

Total: 5minutes mins

Yield: 2 martinis

This delicious peppermint espresso martini recipe is the perfect festive cocktail to serve for all of your holiday gatherings! It is made with a few simple ingredients and is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients 

• 4 oz vodka, can use vanilla vodka if desired – make sure to look for gluten free if needed.

• 2 oz Kahlua , or coffee liquor

• 3 oz fresh brewed espresso, cooled, or strong cold brew coffee

• 2 oz half & half, use Nutpods or Califia Farms Peppermint Mocha creamer for dairy free

• ¼ tsp peppermint extract

Chocolate Peppermint Rims & Garnish

• Chocolate syrup

• Candy canes, crushed

• 6 espresso beans

Instructions 

• Dip the rim of 2 martini glasses in some chocolate syrup to coat, then dip them in the crushed candy canes. 

• Fill a shaker halfway with ice. Add the vodka, Kahlua, espresso, cream, and peppermint extract. Shake well for 60 seconds.

• Divide the mixture evenly between the 2 glasses and top with 3 espresso beans. 

  
  

  Cheers!

Cranberry Margarita

I'm not much of an alcohol drinker, but there are some drinks that I do like. On a warm summer evening, a margarita will always sound great. Being that we live in Southern California and Christmas is usually a warm "summerish" day, why not put a holiday spin on your evening margarita? They will go great with Christmas tamales too.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 min

Servings: About 3 cups

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice (I recommend using a brand that is 100% juice without added sugar)

• 3/4 cup fresh lime juice

• 3/4 cup tequila

• 1/2 cup orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau or Triple Sec

• ice cubes

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Get your ice. Fill your glasses with ice.

2. Add the alcohol to a shaker. Fill a shaker with ice, and add the tequila and triple sec. Shake until the shaker is frosted on the outside, which should take 10-20 seconds.

3. Pour. Strain the alcohol into the glasses.

4. Finish. Pour the cranberry juice on top of the margarita, and squeeze a lime wedge into the drink. Garnish with another lime wedge, and drink up!

   
   

   OPTIONS

   Low carb. Replace the Triple sec with fresh squeezed oranges.

   Blend it. Add the tequila, triple sec, cranberry juice, and juice from the lime wedges into a blender with some ice. Blend until the mixture is smooth, then serve with a straw. 

   Flavor the rim. The traditional way to drink a margarita is by salting the rim. To do this, pour some kosher salt or coarse salt on a plate, then run a lime wedge around the rim of your empty glass. Dip the rim of the glass in the salt, then continue making the drink. I like to use Tajin in place of salt for a spicy kick. If you’re not a fan of salty or savory cocktails, you can use a sugar rim instead. 

   Holiday sparkle. Add a bit of sparkling water to your mix.

ENJOY!