Vegan Peppermint White Russian

This vegan peppermint White Russian is a festive cocktail wrapped with fresh minty flavors. Serve at your next holiday party or enjoy during a cozy holiday movie night.

Dessert style cocktails are my favorite way to spread cheer. This vegan peppermint White Russian is a dairy-free spin on a classic. We are substituting milk and/or heavy cream with plant-based milk (and a splash of vegan coffee creamer) and swapping coffee liqueur for chilled coffee.

If you enjoy creamy coffee cocktails, you'll want to check out this dairy-free espresso martini and this peanut butter White Russian too.

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• Vegan peppermint White Russian ingredients
• How to make a vegan peppermint White Russian cocktail
• Substitutions & Variations
• Storing
• 📋 Recipe
• 💬 Feedback

Vegan peppermint White Russian ingredients

For the cocktail:

• Chilled coffee: Kahlúa is NOT vegan friendly, so instead of using a coffee liqueur we are using actual coffee. This means the cocktail includes caffeine; if this is something you're sensitive to, use a decaf option or check out the substitution section below for vegan coffee liqueur alternatives.
• Vodka (plain/unflavored, like Tito's, Ketel One, or Grey Goose)
• Peppermint extract: the tiniest amount of peppermint extract is needed in this recipe as peppermint extract is STRONG. Be very careful not to add too much!
• Plant milk: use any creamy plant-based milk. Vanilla or unflavored both are great options.
• Vegan coffee creamer: in combination with the plant milk, it adds additional thickness and flavor to the cocktail.

For the rim of the glass:

• Melted dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips (or use your favorite vegan chocolate bar)
• Crushed candy canes: for dye-free candy canes check out Yum Earth (sold at Target and Whole Foods).

How to make a vegan peppermint White Russian cocktail

1. Prepare cocktail rim: dip rocks glass rim in melted chocolate and in crushed candy canes, then place in the fridge to chill.
2. Add coffee, plant milk, creamer, vodka, date syrup, and peppermint extract to a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Shake vigorously.
3. Remove cocktail glass from the fridge, add ice, and strain cocktail into the glass.
4. Garnish with a candy cane and enjoy!

Substitutions & Variations

Plant-based milk: the creamier the better! I prefer Good Karma Flax Milk but coconut, oat, or almond are all great options too. I used an unsweetened and unflavored milk when creating the recipe, but a vanilla flavored plant-milk would be delicious, too!

Chilled coffee: If using a Nespresso machine I highly suggest using a vanilla flavored pod for additional flavors. If not, use your favorite coffee, strongly brewed. Bottled espresso or cold brew are also great options.

If you're avoiding caffeine, use a decaf option or substitue with a vegan coffee liqueur like Kova or Cafetino. Kahlúa is NOT vegan friendly!

Vodka: I used Tito's, but feel free to use your favorite plain vodka or skip the peppermint extract and use a peppermint flavored vodka (ensure it is vegan friendly) for extra cool minty flavors. For a non-alocholic drink, omit the vodka or substitue with a non-alcoholic spirit.

Peppermint extract: if you don't have any peppermint extract on hand add a teaspoon of crushed candy canes to the cocktail shaker instead.

Date syrup: added for natural sweetness, substitute with maple syrup or other natural liquid sweetener of choice (agave, monk fruit, etc.). If using a heavily sweetened creamer (see below) you can omit the date syrup.

Vegan creamer: classic White Russians are typically made using heavy cream, so adding in plant milk with a splash of vegan creamer ensures a creamy and smooth cocktail. Unflavored/original creamer can also be used or use an additional splash of plant-milk.

I used Laird Superfood Creamer but here are some other vegan (and gluten-free) creamer options;

• Califa Farms (french vanilla, vanilla, unsweetened, etc.)
• Sown (vanilla, sweet and creamy, and unsweetened)
• Nut Pods (tons of flavors, a splash of the peppermint mocha may be fun in this recipe!)
• So Delicious (original and french vanilla)

Storing

Vegan peppermint White Russian cocktails do not store well. I do not recommend making them ahead of time.

📋 Recipe