okay so last christmas i made a drink that tastes like someone melted a candy cane into a glass of liquid chocolate cheesecake and spiked it. people lost their minds.
i’ve been asked for this recipe approximately seven hundred times since then and honestly i get it – it’s ridiculously good and takes like two minutes to make.
what makes this the “naughty” elf?
honestly? it’s the fact that it tastes like dessert but packs enough of a punch that you’ll feel it after one glass. also the peppermint schnapps situation – we’re not talking about weak minty undertones here, we’re talking full-on candy cane intensity.
combine that with chocolate liqueur and cream and you’ve got something that’s basically christmas in a glass, but with a wink.
breaking down the ingredients (because not all schnapps are created equal)
peppermint schnapps: the star of the show
this is where things get interesting. if you grab rumple minze, you’re getting 100 proof peppermint madness – great if you want that extra kick but be warned, it’s strong.
dekuyper sits around 48 proof and gives you solid peppermint flavor without knocking you sideways. personally i think dekuyper hits the sweet spot for this drink, but if you’ve got a crowd that likes things punchy, rumple minze won’t disappoint.
quick note: peppermint schnapps is NOT the same as crème de menthe. schnapps is usually clear and has higher alcohol content.
crème de menthe is syrupy and often green (unless you get the white version). for this recipe, you want schnapps – the clear, strong stuff.
chocolate liqueur: go fancy or go budget
godiva chocolate liqueur is what i reach for when i’m trying to impress people. it’s smooth, it’s rich, it tastes like actual chocolate instead of weird fake chocolate flavor.
mozart dark chocolate is another solid choice if you can find it – bit pricier but absolutely worth it if you’re making these for a special occasion.
that said, if you’re making a batch for a casual party and don’t want to drop serious cash, crème de cacao works fine. white crème de cacao keeps the drink lighter in color, dark gives it more chocolate depth.
either way you’ll end up with something that tastes good, even if it’s not quite as luxurious as the premium stuff.
the cream situation
heavy cream is the move here. makes it thick, makes it decadent, makes it feel like you’re drinking something that should probably come with a warning label about calories (but who’s counting during the holidays anyway).
if you want to lighten things up a bit, half-and-half works – you lose some of that silky texture but it’s still plenty creamy.
some people ask about milk. i mean, you can, but at that point you’re basically making chocolate milk with peppermint and that’s not really the vibe we’re going for.
the rim is non-negotiable
here’s the thing – without that candy cane rim, this is just a creamy beige cocktail. nice, but not particularly festive. WITH the crushed candy canes stuck to a chocolate-rimmed glass?
now you’ve got something that looks like it belongs at the north pole.
the process is simple but there’s a trick to making it actually work:
first, get your glasses cold. stick them in the freezer for like 15 minutes before you start. this helps everything set faster and prevents the chocolate from sliding down the glass in sad brown streaks.
for the chocolate rim, pour some chocolate sauce (the kind you’d put on ice cream) onto a small plate, then put your crushed candy canes on another plate. dip the rim of your glass into the chocolate, then immediately dip it into the crushed candy canes.
don’t be shy with the candy canes – you want good coverage, not just a few sad pieces clinging to the edge.
pro move: crush your candy canes in a ziplock bag with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan. pulse them a few times if you’ve got a food processor.
you want small chunks, not powder – powder just dissolves and you lose that satisfying crunch.
bonus points if you drizzle a little extra chocolate sauce inside the glass before pouring the drink. makes it look extra fancy and gives you little ribbons of chocolate as you drink.
making the actual drink (finally)
once you’ve got your rimmed glasses ready, the rest is almost embarrassingly easy. throw 2 oz peppermint schnapps, 2 oz chocolate liqueur, and 4 oz heavy cream into a cocktail shaker.
fill it with ice – like, really fill it, don’t be stingy. shake it like you mean it. i’m talking at least 15-20 seconds of actual shaking, not just a polite jiggle. you want the outside of the shaker to feel frosty and cold.
strain into your two prepared glasses. if you really want to show off, you can add some chocolate shavings on top or hang a mini candy cane on the rim as a stirrer, but honestly the crushed candy cane rim does most of the visual heavy lifting here.
variations for when you want to get creative
the “actually green” elf
if you want this to look more elf-like (you know, green), add a tiny drop of green food coloring to the shaker before mixing. and i mean tiny – one drop is probably enough.
you’re going for subtle elf vibes, not st patrick’s day.
dairy-free version
coconut milk from a can (the full-fat kind, not the carton stuff) actually works surprisingly well here. shake it really well because it can separate.
oat milk works too but you lose some of that thick, creamy texture. barista blend oat milk gets you closer to the original.
the “less sweet” version
if you find the drink too sweet (some people do, especially with the candy cane rim adding extra sugar), try cutting the schnapps down to 1 oz and adding 1 oz of plain vodka.
gives you the same alcohol content but tones down the sweetness a bit.
lighter option
swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or even whole milk if you want something less rich. just know you’re giving up that velvety texture that makes this feel like dessert.
serving tips and what to pair it with
this drink lives its best life in a martini glass or coupe. something with a stem that makes you feel fancy. chilling the glasses beforehand isn’t just about the rim – it keeps the drink cold longer since there’s no ice in the actual cocktail once you strain it.
as for what to serve alongside it? honestly this IS dessert, so i usually just put out some simple christmas cookies or a plate of good dark chocolate.
peppermint bark is redundant but also kind of perfect in an over-the-top holiday way. shortbread cookies work great because they’re buttery enough to cut through the sweetness without competing with the peppermint.
this recipe makes two drinks, which is perfect for you and a friend or for making one now and one in five minutes when you finish the first one (no judgment).
if you’re making these for a bigger party, just multiply everything by however many people you’re serving. you can even mix the schnapps, chocolate liqueur, and cream ahead of time in a pitcher and keep it cold in the fridge.
when guests arrive, just shake individual portions with ice and pour.
The Naughty Elf Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Martini or Coupe Glasses
- Small plate (for rimming)
Ingredients
For the Drink:
- 2 oz Peppermint Schnapps
- 2 oz Chocolate Liqueur like Godiva or Crème de Cacao
- 4 oz Heavy Cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup Ice Cubes
For the Garnish:
- 2 tbsp Chocolate Sauce syrup
- 2 Candy Canes crushed
- Chocolate shavings optional
- Whole mini candy canes optional hook for glass
Instructions
- Prep the Glasses: Place the chocolate sauce on one small plate and the crushed candy canes on another. Dip the rim of two martini or coupe glasses into the chocolate sauce, then immediately dip into the crushed candy canes to coat the rim. Drizzle a little extra chocolate sauce inside the glass for a swirl effect.
- Combine Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, combine the peppermint schnapps, chocolate liqueur, and heavy cream.
- Shake: Add a generous scoop of ice to the shaker. Cap and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels frosty.
- Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture evenly into the two prepared glasses.
- Garnish: Top with chocolate shavings or hang a mini candy cane on the side of the glass. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make it Green: To make the drink look more like an elf’s uniform, add one drop of green food coloring to the shaker before shaking.
- Lighter Version: You can substitute half-and-half or milk for the heavy cream, though the texture will be less velvety.
- Vodka Spike: If you find the drink too sweet, reduce the schnapps to 1 oz and add 1 oz of plain vodka.
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles. Also an aspiring cook we he researches and tries all kinds of different food recipes and shares what works best.