What do you do with all of those candy canes that turn up everywhere around the holiday season? Well, you turn them into festive cocktails that are perfect for your Christmas brunch! A peppermint bark mimosa is the perfect sweet drink to make for your holiday get togethers.
These adorable mimosas take less than 5 minutes to throw together, so they’re ready for your breakfast or brunch in no time. They pair bubbly with the classic chocolate and peppermint flavors of bark-style candy. You can even sip on them while the kids are opening presents!
Like many cocktails, there are a variety of different alcohols you can use to create this festive flavor. I’m sticking with an easy 3-ingredient recipe, but I’ll give you some different options as well depending what you have on hand or can find in your local store.
Top things off with a festive rim featuring chocolate and crushed up candy canes for the perfect sip (and a great way to use up candy). For another recipe to use up extra candy, make sure to check out my easy Microwave Peppermint Bark as well!
Ingredients List
For the Peppermint Bark Mimosas:
½ ounce peppermint schnapps (such as Hiram Walker, Dekuper, or Rumple Minze)
½ ounce chocolate liquor (such as Van Gogh)
Champagne or Prosecco, chilled (5-9 ounces depending on glass size)
For the Rim (Optional):
2 Tbsp white or semisweet chocolate chips
2-3 large candy canes (or 8-10 mini), crushed
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
For the peppermint flavor, another good choice is peppermint vodka, such as Smirnoff. You can also make your own peppermint vodka by soaking about 6 full sized candy canes (broken up) in 1 cup of vodka for 24 hours (or more). Note that it will be more pink than red, though, so it’s your call!
As to the chocolate flavor, you can use creme de cacao, another chocolate liquor (such as Godiva or Mozart), or a chocolate vodka (such as Van Gogh)
You can use either champagne or prosecco for this cocktail, but I typically do prosecco as it’s sweeter, and pairs nicely with the more dessert-like notes of this particular mimosa
I do NOT recommend using any liquors that contain cream, such as Peppermint Bark RumChata or Pennsylvania Dutch Peppermint Bark. While they have both peppermint and chocolate flavors (which is nice), I found that the cream will separate like crazy when it hits the prosecco and make your mimosas chunky looking!
Step By Step Instructions
(Optional) To rim the glass, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for about 30 seconds on high, then stir until smooth. Dip the glass in the warm chocolate, and then immediately into the crushed candy canes
Pour the peppermint schnapps and chocolate liquor into the bottom of your champagne glass
Fill the glass with champagne or prosecco (pour slowly so as to not overflow the glass with bubbles)
Garnish with an additional candy cane in the glass, if desired, and enjoy
More Peppermint Bark Drinks to Try
RumChata Peppermint Bark Martini
Peppermint RumChata Hot Chocolate
RumChata Peppermint Bark Shots
Peppermint Bark RumChata and Fireball
Recipe FAQs
Can I Use Any Type of Champagne for a Peppermint Bark Mimosa?
Yes, various champagnes work well; however, consider a sweeter one to complement the minty flavors.
Use prosecco or a Brut style champagne for the best options.
Can I Make a Non Alcoholic Version of the Peppermint Bark Mimosa?
Absolutely, to make a non alcoholic mocktail version of the peppermint bark mimosa, use sparkling water to replace the champagne.
About 1 tsp of peppermint extract or syrup and 1 Tbsp mocha syrup replace the peppermint and chocolate liquor flavors.
Can I Prepare a Larger Batch of Peppermint Bark Mimosas for a Party?
Yes, simply adjust the ingredient quantities proportionally to serve a larger group.
Mix everything in a pitcher or carafe, then pour into individual glasses for serving.
What’s the Best Way to Crush Peppermint Candy for Rimming Glasses?
Place the candies in a resealable bag and crush them using a rolling pin or mallet.
You may also use a food processor if you happen to have one.
Can I Make a Peppermint Bark Mimosa Without the Chocolate Component?
Absolutely, just use peppermint schnapps or vodka and champagne to make a peppermint mimosa.
You can still rim the glass with chocolate if you want a light bark taste, but feel free to use water to stick crushed candy canes on for a chocolate-free option.
How Far in Advance Can I Prepare Peppermint Bark Mimosas?
For the best fizz, you should not prepare peppermint bark mimosas more than an hour in advance.
They will keep up to 24 hours if well-sealed, but they will continue to lose fizziness over time.
Recipe Pro Tips
Champagne flutes range in size from about 6 ounces to 10 ounces. If you are using a large glass (in the 8-10 ounce range), you may want to add 1 ½ – 2x the amount of peppermint and chocolate (unless you like the flavors pretty mild)
Glassware. Champagne flutes (stemless or traditional) are recommended. You could use a stemless wine glass or a juice glass in a pinch!
Storage Tips
Any leftovers may be stored in a pitcher (or similar) in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Note that the champagne will lose fizz the longer it sits, so this cocktail is best consumed fresh!
If you want to prepare in advance for a party, scale up the recipe for the desired number of servings, and measure out the peppermint and chocolate liquor into a carafe or pitcher. Then, just top with your prosecco right before serving!
With just two ingredients plus a festive rim, how can you really go wrong? No matter which liquors you choose to make them, these peppermint bark mimosas are easy, delicious, and perfect for the holidays.
Not only can you use up those pesky candy canes that keep popping up everywhere, but you can enjoy a cocktail that’s bubbly, sweet, and flavored with mint and a hint of chocolate.
I love to set a pitcher of these mimosas out for Christmas brunch, but they’re honestly great anytime during the holiday season. They’re so simple to make, you won’t be going much out of the way to enjoy something fun and fizzy any day you like!
Easy Peppermint Bark Mimosa Recipe
This easy peppermint bark mimosa takes just 3 ingredients and a few minutes to throw together. Add a chocolate and candy cane rim for an extra festive flair!
½Ouncepeppermint schnapps(such as Hiram Walker, Dekuper, or Rumple Minze)
½Ouncechocolate liquor(such as Van Gogh)
Champagne or Prosecco, chilled(5-9 ounces depending on glass size)
For the Rim (Optional)
2Tbspwhite or semisweet chocolate chips
2-3Largecandy canes (or 8-10 mini)(crushed)
Instructions
(Optional) To rim the glass, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for about 30 seconds on high, then stir until smooth. Dip the glass in the warm chocolate, and then immediately into the crushed candy canes
2 Tbsp white or semisweet chocolate chips, 2-3 Large candy canes (or 8-10 mini)
Pour the peppermint schnapps and chocolate liquor into the bottom of your champagne glass
½ Ounce peppermint schnapps, ½ Ounce chocolate liquor
Fill the glass with champagne or prosecco (pour slowly so as to not overflow the glass with bubbles)
Champagne or Prosecco, chilled
Garnish with an additional candy cane in the glass, if desired, and enjoy
Notes
For the peppermint flavor, another good choice is peppermint vodka, such as Smirnoff. You can also make your own peppermint vodka by soaking about 6 full sized candy canes (broken up) in 1 cup of vodka for 24 hours (or more). Note that it will turn it pink, though, so it may not fit your holiday theme
As to the chocolate flavor, you can substitute crème de cacao, another chocolate liquor (such as Godiva or Mozart), or a chocolate vodka (such as Van Gogh)
You can use either champagne or prosecco for this cocktail, but I typically do prosecco as it’s sweeter, and pairs nicely with the more dessert-like notes of this particular mimosa
I do NOT recommend using any liquors that contain cream, such as Peppermint Bark RumChata or Pennsylvania Dutch Peppermint Bark. While they have both peppermint and chocolate flavors (which is nice), I found that the cream will separate like crazy when it hits the prosecco and make your mimosas chunky looking!
Champagne flutes range in size from about 6 ounces to 10 ounces. If you are using a large glass (in the 8-10 ounce range), you may want to add 1 ½ – 2x the amount of peppermint and chocolate (unless you like the flavors pretty mild)
Any leftovers may be stored in a pitcher (or similar) in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Note that the champagne will lose fizz the longer it sits, so this cocktail is best consumed fresh!
If you want to prepare in advance for a party, scale up the recipe for the desired number of servings, and measure out the peppermint and chocolate liquor into a carafe or pitcher. Then, just top with your prosecco right before serving!
Exact nutritional values will vary widely based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes or rims added, and total quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
