Ingredients
- .5 oz White Creme De Menthe
- .75 oz Peach Liqueur
- .5 oz Vodka
- top with Hot Chocolate
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- In a cocktail shaker, add 0.5 oz of white creme de menthe, 0.75 oz of peach liqueur, and 0.5 oz of vodka.
Shake:
- Shake vigorously until well mixed.
Serve:
- Pour the mixture into a glass and top with hot chocolate. Stir gently.
Garnish (Optional):
- Add a sprinkle of crushed peppermint or a mint leaf for an extra festive touch.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use high-quality hot chocolate.
- Adjust the amount of hot chocolate to achieve your desired sweetness and warmth.
- This cocktail is best enjoyed warm, making it perfect for cozy winter nights.
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This isn’t some forgotten classic from a pre-Prohibition era. The After Dinner Mint Cocktail feels like a modern creation, likely born in a home kitchen or a themed bar looking for a festive, dessert-forward drink. It’s a contemporary twist on a boozy hot cocoa, designed for cozy, post-meal enjoyment rather than a bustling cocktail bar.
The drink sits comfortably within the ‘dessert cocktail’ family, particularly those built around hot chocolate. While it shares some DNA with a Peppermint Patty or a boozy hot cocoa, the addition of peach liqueur gives it a unique fruity layer that sets it apart from simpler mint and chocolate combinations. It’s less about complexity and more about comforting flavor profiles.
You’d typically find or serve this drink at a holiday party, a quiet night in by a fireplace, or as a special treat after a large dinner. It’s a seasonal sipper, best enjoyed when there’s a chill in the air and you’re looking for something sweet and warming to round out an evening. This isn’t a pre-dinner aperitif; it’s the grand finale.
What it tastes like
The initial sip brings a wave of cool, crisp mint from the creme de menthe, quickly followed by the rich, sweet embrace of hot chocolate. Mid-palate, the peach liqueur introduces a subtle, slightly fruity sweetness that brightens the chocolate and mint, preventing it from becoming overly heavy. The finish is a smooth, lingering blend of mint and chocolate, with the vodka providing a clean alcoholic kick without dominating the flavors.
With roughly 0.475 ounces of pure alcohol in a drink that could easily fill a 6 to 8 ounce mug, this comes in around 6 to 8% ABV. That’s comparable to a stronger craft beer or a glass of wine, but significantly less potent than a typical stirred cocktail like an Old Fashioned. It’s a mellow sipper, not a heavy hitter.
The technique
Building this drink is straightforward. Combine the white creme de menthe, peach liqueur, and vodka in a cocktail shaker with ice. Give it a good, vigorous shake to thoroughly chill and mix the spirits. Strain this cold mixture into your chosen serving glass, then top it off with hot, freshly prepared hot chocolate. Finish with a gentle stir to integrate everything without losing the warmth.
The key technique here is to never shake the hot chocolate. You want to chill and combine the spirits separately to ensure they are well integrated and cold before they meet the hot chocolate. Adding cold spirits to hot liquid creates a pleasant temperature contrast and prevents the hot chocolate from becoming tepid or diluted during the mixing process.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
White Creme De Menthe
- Use
- Brands like Bols, DeKuyper, or Tempus Fugit all work. Aim for a clear, crisp mint flavor, usually around 20-25% ABV. The ‘white’ is crucial for appearance here.
- Skip
- Green creme de menthe, unless you want a visually different drink. Its color will tint the hot chocolate, making it look less like a classic after dinner mint. Avoid anything labeled ‘peppermint schnapps’ if you want a softer, more nuanced mint flavor.
- Why
- This ingredient is the primary source of the ‘mint’ in After Dinner Mint. It provides the cool, refreshing menthol note that balances the sweetness and richness of the chocolate and peach. Without it, the drink is just a boozy peach hot chocolate.
Peach Liqueur
- Use
- Peach schnapps (like DeKuyper or Bols Peach) or a slightly more refined peach liqueur. ABV typically ranges from 15-25%. Choose one with a clear, natural peach flavor.
- Skip
- Peach brandy or a heavily artificial peach syrup. Brandy will add too much oak and heat, while a poor syrup will make the drink cloyingly sweet and fake tasting. Avoid anything with a very high ABV unless you’re adjusting proportions.
- Why
- The peach liqueur adds a subtle, fruity complexity that differentiates this drink from a simple mint hot chocolate. It brings a layer of stone fruit sweetness that plays well with both the mint and the chocolate, giving the cocktail its unique character.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Mint Hot Toddy
- A simplified, spirit-forward mint chocolate.
- Skip the peach liqueur and vodka. Instead, use a larger measure of white creme de menthe with the hot chocolate for a straightforward, minty warm drink.
Peppermint Patty Shot
- A cold, concentrated, creamy version.
- Reduce the quantities and add a splash of heavy cream, serving it chilled in a shot glass. This delivers a potent, creamy mint chocolate experience without the hot chocolate.
Chocolate Martini
- A chilled, sophisticated dessert cocktail.
- Omit the hot chocolate and increase the vodka. Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass for a decadent, cold dessert martini.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
You can use a clear peppermint schnapps, but be aware it might be sweeter and have a more aggressive mint flavor. Adjust other sweet components accordingly.
A small splash of apricot liqueur or even a fruit-forward brandy like applejack could provide a similar fruity depth, though the flavor profile will shift.
Light rum or a clean gin could work in a pinch, but they will impart their own distinct flavor notes, changing the overall character of the drink.
You can stir the spirits with ice in a mixing glass until well chilled, then pour into your serving glass. It won’t get quite as aerated, but it will still combine and chill effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in an After Dinner Mint Cocktail?
An After Dinner Mint Cocktail contains white creme de menthe, peach liqueur, vodka, and is topped with hot chocolate.
Is the After Dinner Mint Cocktail served hot or cold?
This cocktail is typically served warm. The spirits are chilled, then topped with hot chocolate, creating a comforting warm drink.
What kind of hot chocolate should I use?
Use a good quality hot chocolate that you enjoy drinking on its own. Darker, richer hot chocolates tend to work well to balance the sweetness of the liqueurs.
Is this a strong drink?
No, the After Dinner Mint Cocktail is a relatively mild drink, similar in strength to a strong beer or a glass of wine when topped with hot chocolate.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can pre-batch the white creme de menthe, peach liqueur, and vodka mixture and keep it chilled. Prepare the hot chocolate fresh just before serving.
What’s the best garnish?
A sprinkle of crushed peppermint or a fresh mint leaf offers a nice aromatic touch and visual appeal.
What does peach liqueur taste like in this drink?
The peach liqueur adds a subtle, sweet, and slightly fruity note that complements the mint and chocolate without overpowering them, adding a layer of complexity.
Why use white creme de menthe instead of green?
White creme de menthe is used to maintain the drink’s clean, light appearance. Green creme de menthe would color the hot chocolate, making it look less like a classic after dinner mint.
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