Ingredients
Method
- Chill a martini glass by filling it with ice water and setting it aside while you prepare the drink.
- Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with crushed ice; this is crucial for achieving the proper slushy consistency.
- Add the vodka, crème de menthe, and simple syrup directly over the ice.
- Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for at least 15-20 seconds. You want the metal shaker to feel very cold to the touch and the mixture to appear opaque and frosty.
- Discard the water from your chilled martini glass.
- Double-strain the mixture into the glass using a fine-mesh sieve to catch any large ice shards that might ruin the texture.
- Garnish with a peppermint candy stick or a fresh mint sprig if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Notes
The secret is using real crème de menthe rather than a sweet syrup; it gives you that authentic candy-cane bite that cuts through the vodka’s heat. I always strain it into a chilled glass and keep an extra peppermint stick nearby for garnish—it signals immediately that this isn’t just another cocktail, but something special.