What are peppermint schnapps good for? Discover its versatile uses

December 20, 2025 •

3 min read

Originally an American invention inspired by German schnapps, peppermint schnapps is a clear, mint-flavored spirit widely used in the United States. This intensely flavored liqueur is celebrated for its versatility, acting as a refreshing burst in cocktails, a festive component in baked goods, and a cool, smooth shot.

Quick Summary

Peppermint schnapps is excellent for crafting festive winter and holiday cocktails, mixing with hot chocolate or coffee, adding minty flavor to desserts, and serving as a chilled shot.

Key Points

Cocktail Enhancer: Peppermint schnapps adds a powerful, minty flavor to festive and winter drinks like martinis and hot chocolate.
Chilled Shot: It can be served well-chilled on its own or layered with other liqueurs for potent and flavorful shots.
Dessert Flavoring: A culinary secret for adding a cool, refreshing kick to homemade ice cream, chocolate sauces, and baked goods.
Mint vs. Menthe: Offers a more intense and less sweet mint flavor compared to its milder, sweeter cousin, crème de menthe.
Versatile Mixer: It pairs exceptionally well with chocolate, coffee, and cream, making it a flexible component in mixology.
Holiday Staple: Its candy cane-like flavor profile makes it a traditional and popular choice during the holiday season.

The Versatility of Peppermint Schnapps

Peppermint schnapps is a clear, distilled spirit known for its intense mint flavor that resembles a liquid candy cane. Unlike its German counterpart, which is a dry fruit brandy, this American creation is a sweet liqueur, typically ranging from 15% to 50% alcohol by volume (ABV). Its strong, clean peppermint profile makes it a highly versatile ingredient, particularly popular during the winter and holiday seasons. Whether used as a mixer, a flavoring agent in food, or enjoyed on its own, it offers a distinctive and refreshing experience.

Classic and Creative Peppermint Schnapps Cocktails

One of the most common uses for peppermint schnapps is in mixology, where its bold flavor can either take the lead or serve as a festive accent. It pairs exceptionally well with chocolate, coffee, and cream, providing a cool contrast to rich, sweet ingredients.

Popular Cocktail Ideas:

Peppermint Martini: A classic holiday cocktail combining peppermint schnapps with vodka and crème de cacao for a smooth, dessert-like drink.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate: A decadent and warming treat. Simply add a shot of peppermint schnapps to a mug of hot chocolate, top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes for a festive twist.
Peppermint White Russian: A minty variation on the classic, featuring vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream with a splash of peppermint schnapps.
Polar Bear: A simple, yet potent, shot combining peppermint schnapps and crème de cacao.
Peppermint Froth: A frosty blend of vodka, peppermint schnapps, and cream, served over crushed ice for a bracing, cold beverage.

Peppermint Schnapps in the Kitchen

Beyond the bar, peppermint schnapps is a secret weapon for home bakers and dessert enthusiasts. Its concentrated flavor can elevate a variety of dishes, adding a hint of minty freshness and a boozy kick.

Culinary Uses:

Flavoring for Desserts: Use it to add a pop of mint to chocolate sauces, frostings for cakes or cupcakes, and homemade ice cream bases.
Moistening Cakes: A small amount can be brushed onto the layers of chocolate cake to infuse it with a cool, minty essence.
Spiked Whipped Cream: Fold a splash into whipped cream for a festive topping that works perfectly on pies, hot cocoa, and coffee.
No-Bake Treats: Mix a little into cookie truffle recipes or other no-bake bars for a quick and flavorful holiday treat.

Enjoying Peppermint Schnapps as a Shot

For a direct and intense experience, peppermint schnapps is frequently served as a shot. It is best when well-chilled to enhance its crisp, minty character. The high sugar and alcohol content also make it an excellent choice for crafting layered shots.

Shot Variations:

Straight and Chilled: Serve a frosty shot of pure peppermint schnapps right from the freezer for a bracing mint flavor.
Peppermint Patty Shot: A popular shooter that layers Irish cream, crème de cacao, and peppermint schnapps to mimic the taste of the famous candy.

Peppermint Schnapps vs. Crème de Menthe

While both are mint-flavored liqueurs, there are key differences that determine their best applications in mixology. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right ingredient for your recipe.


Characteristic	Peppermint Schnapps	Crème de Menthe
Flavor	More intense, liquid candy cane flavor.	Gentler, milder, often uses spearmint.
Sweetness	Less sweet than crème de menthe, more bracing.	Thicker, more syrupy, and sweeter.
Alcohol Content	Often has a higher ABV (e.g., Rumple Minze at 50%).	Typically lower ABV (around 15-30%).
Typical Uses	Shots, winter cocktails, and dessert flavoring.	Mixers for a wider range of cocktails, classic recipes.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Minty Mixer

From festive cocktails to creative dessert recipes, peppermint schnapps proves its versatility far beyond a simple shot glass. Its signature candy cane flavor is perfect for embracing the holiday season, but its applications can extend throughout the year in any creation that benefits from a refreshing minty kick. By understanding its distinct profile and pairing it with complementary ingredients like chocolate and cream, you can unlock a world of delicious possibilities. Whether shaken into a martini or drizzled over ice cream, peppermint schnapps is a valuable and flavorful addition to any home bar.

Learn more about creating delicious cocktails with this versatile spirit by visiting The Spruce Eats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Crème de menthe is sweeter and has a milder mint flavor, while peppermint schnapps is typically stronger in both mint intensity and alcohol content. The former is often syrupy, while schnapps can be more bracing.

Yes, you can drink peppermint schnapps straight, especially when it is well-chilled. However, its strong, intense flavor and high alcohol content often make it more commonly used as a mixer in cocktails or shots.

Peppermint schnapps mixes well with ingredients like chocolate (hot cocoa, crème de cacao), coffee, cream, and other spirits such as vodka or Irish cream.

Contrary to a common myth, the high alcohol and sugar content in peppermint schnapps can actually hinder digestion, not aid it. For digestive benefits from peppermint, herbal tea is a better choice.

No, peppermint schnapps does not need to be refrigerated. Like most liqueurs, it should be stored in a cool, dark place, though serving it chilled from the freezer is a popular practice.

Good substitutes include white crème de menthe (though sweeter and milder) or, for non-alcoholic options, peppermint extract or peppermint syrup.

You can use it to spike hot chocolate, flavor homemade whipped cream, add it to chocolate cake recipes for a minty finish, or mix it into festive milkshakes.