Peppermint Schnapps
Peppermint schnapps is a clear, sweet liqueur made by infusing or flavoring a neutral grain spirit with peppermint oil or extract, then sweetening it with sugar syrup. It typically runs 15-30% ABV (30-60 proof), noticeably lower than straight vodka or whiskey, and tastes almost entirely like sweet mint candy with a sharp, cooling finish and very little of the underlying alcohol showing through.
Varieties
Peppermint schnapps and creme de menthe are often confused but differ in body: schnapps is thinner and less sweet with a sharper alcohol bite, while creme de menthe is a true liqueur with a heavier, syrupy texture and deeper sweetness. Green creme de menthe is dyed and has the same flavor as the white version, just colored for visual effect in drinks like grasshoppers.
Buying tips
Cheap, mass-market bottles rely heavily on artificial peppermint flavoring and taste more like toothpaste than mint candy; mid-range brands (DeKuyper, Rumple Minze) use more real peppermint oil and taste cleaner. Rumple Minze is stronger and more overtly minty, around 50% ABV, so cut back the amount if substituting it for standard 15% ABV schnapps.
Substitutes
Creme de menthe (white) — 1:1
Sweeter and syrupy compared to schnapps' thinner, sharper mint bite. Good in cocktails and desserts where extra sweetness isn't a problem.
Peppermint extract plus vodka or white rum — 1/4 tsp extract + 2 tbsp neutral spirit per 2 tbsp schnapps called for
Add sugar to taste since extract alone brings no sweetness. Whisk the extract into the spirit before measuring to avoid an uneven, overly strong pocket of mint.
Peppermint extract (non-alcoholic version) — 1/8 tsp extract per 2 tbsp schnapps
Use in baking when the alcohol needs to disappear entirely, such as glazes that won't be cooked further. Skips the sweetness and boozy warmth schnapps adds.
Mint simple syrup — 1:1
No alcohol and less intensely minty; best for milkshakes, hot chocolate, and non-alcoholic drinks rather than cocktails meant to taste boozy.
Storage
Store an opened bottle at room temperature in a cool, dark cabinet, away from direct light and heat. The sugar and alcohol content keep it shelf-stable indefinitely; it won't spoil, though the mint flavor can fade and dull after a couple of years. No refrigeration needed, though chilling before serving as a shot mellows the sharpness.
How to use
Poured straight as a chilled shot, mixed into hot chocolate, added to coffee, and shaken into cocktails like a grasshopper or peppermint martini. In baking, it goes into brownie batter, chocolate ganache, buttercream frosting, and fudge for a hint of mint without the waxiness some mint extracts leave behind. A small splash also brightens chocolate cake batter or whipped cream.
What it pairs with
Pairs well with dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and cream-based desserts. Works alongside cinnamon and nutmeg in winter drinks, and balances rich, fudgy chocolate baked goods that need a cooling contrast.
Nutrition
About 60-80 calories per 1.5 oz shot, all from sugar and alcohol, with no fat, protein, or meaningful vitamins or minerals.
FAQ
Is peppermint schnapps the same as peppermint liqueur?
Not exactly. Schnapps is typically lower proof and less sweet, technically closer to a flavored spirit, while liqueurs like creme de menthe carry more sugar and a thicker mouthfeel.
Can peppermint schnapps go bad?
It won't spoil due to its alcohol and sugar content, but the peppermint flavor gradually fades after long storage, especially once opened and exposed to air and light repeatedly.
How much peppermint schnapps replaces peppermint extract in a recipe?
It doesn't convert cleanly since schnapps brings both liquid volume and alcohol that extract doesn't. If using schnapps in place of a few drops of extract, reduce other liquids in the recipe slightly to compensate.
Does peppermint schnapps work in hot drinks?
Yes, it holds up well in hot chocolate and coffee since the mint flavor doesn't cook off quickly at drinking temperatures, though the alcohol content will diminish somewhat with prolonged heat.
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