During the holidays, it often feels like the festive drink menu is reserved for the 21-and-over crowd. The adults get the spiked eggnog and mulled wine, while kids and non-drinkers are handed… a can of soda? It always felt a little lackluster to me. I wanted to create something that everyone could hold in a fancy glass, something that looked just as celebratory and tasted even better.
Enter this Creamy Candy Cane Mocktail! This recipe has become my absolute secret weapon for holiday parties. It’s bubbly, perfectly pepperminty, and features that gorgeous crushed candy cane rim that screams “festive.”
And the best part? You can genuinely whip this up in 5 minutes. It’s a total showstopper, but it’s shockingly easy. We’re talking four simple ingredients and a fun little craft project for the glasses. It’s the perfect kid-friendly candy cane drinks that, trust me, the adults will be eyeing, too. Let’s get mixing!
Table of Contents
Easy Creamy Candy Cane Mocktail
Ingredients
For the Candy Cane Rim:
- 4 teaspoons simple syrup
- 3-4 candy canes finely crushed
For the Mocktail:
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 12 ounces cream soda well chilled
- 4 teaspoons simple syrup
- 2-4 drops peppermint oil or peppermint extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Candy Cane Rim: Pour 4 teaspoons of simple syrup onto a small plate. On a separate plate, spread out the finely crushed candy canes. Take each martini glass and gently dip the rim into the simple syrup, rotating to coat evenly. Immediately dip the syrup-coated rim into the crushed candy canes, pressing lightly to ensure the candy pieces stick.
- Mix the Mocktail Base: In a small pitcher or large measuring cup, combine 1 cup half-and-half, 4 teaspoons simple syrup, and 2-4 drops of peppermint oil. Start with 2 drops, as you can always add more. Stir gently but thoroughly to combine.
- Add the Sparkle: Just before serving, slowly pour in the 12 ounces of well-chilled cream soda. Stir very gently with a spoon to combine everything while preserving the bubbles.
- Finish & Serve: Carefully pour the creamy peppermint mocktail into your prepared candy cane-rimmed glasses, being careful not to disturb the rim. Serve immediately while cold and bubbly.
Nutrition
What’s in This Candy Cane Mocktail?
Before we proceed with the steps, let’s discuss the ingredients. The real beauty of this peppermint mocktail recipe is its simplicity. You don’t need any complicated bar syrups or special equipment.
This recipe directly answers the question, “Can you make a creamy version of the Candy Cane Mocktail?” Yes, you can, and it’s the best part! The richness from the half-and-half is what makes this feel so decadent and special.
Here’s your shopping list:
- For the Candy Cane Rim:
- 4 teaspoons simple syrup
- 3-4 candy canes, finely crushed
- For the Mocktail:
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 12 ounces cream soda, well chilled
- 4 teaspoons simple syrup
- 2-4 drops peppermint oil or peppermint extract
How to Make This Festive Non-Alcoholic Drink
Get ready, because this is the fun part. The whole process is so quick and satisfying. We’re doing two main things: prepping those beautiful glasses and then mixing the drink. It’s that simple. This is precisely how you make a non-alcoholic candy cane drink that feels just as special as a “real” cocktail.
Step 1: Prepare the Candy Cane Rim
This step is what delivers that “wow” factor before anyone even takes a sip.
First, get your station ready. I like to pour the four teaspoons of simple syrup onto a small appetizer plate or a shallow bowl. On a separate plate, spread out your finely crushed candy canes.
A quick tip on crushing: To avoid a mess, I throw the unwrapped candy canes into a zip-top bag, seal it, and gently whack it with a rolling pin or meat mallet. You’re aiming for a mix of fine “dust” and tiny pebbles. The dust provides full-coverage color, and the small pebbles add a great crunch.
Take each martini glass (or any festive glass you love!) and gently dip the rim into the simple syrup. Rotate it to get an even, thin coat. You don’t want it dripping!
Immediately dip the syrup-coated rim into the crushed candy canes, pressing and rotating lightly to ensure the candy pieces adhere all the way around. Set those gorgeous glasses aside while you mix the drink.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Mocktail Base
Now for the heart of our creamy peppermint mocktail. In a minor pitcher or a large (4-cup) measuring cup, combine 1 cup of half-and-half and four teaspoons of simple syrup.
Next is the peppermint, and this is my most important piece of advice: go slow.
Peppermint oil is incredibly potent (much stronger than extract). I always, always start with just two drops. Stir it in, and if you’re unsure, give it a tiny taste. You’re looking for a bright, fresh peppermint flavor, not an icy “I just brushed my teeth” blast. You can always add one more drop, but you can’t take it out! If you’re using peppermint extract instead of oil, I’d start with 1/4 teaspoon and work your way up.
Stir it all together gently but thoroughly. You want the peppermint flavor to be evenly distributed.
Step 3: Add the Sparkle
Wait until the absolute last second, right before you’re ready to serve, to do this part.
Grab your well-chilled cream soda. This is key! Warm soda will be flat and won’t give you that lovely, refreshing bubbly. Slowly pour the 12 ounces of cream soda into the pitcher with your cream mixture.
Stir very gently with a long spoon. You want to combine everything while preserving as many of those delightful bubbles as possible. The mixture should appear silky, bubbly, and have a faint pink hue due to the peppermint. It’s so pretty!
Step 4: Finish & Serve
All that’s left is to serve it up!
Carefully pour your creamy peppermint mocktail mixture into the prepared candy cane rimmed drink glasses. Be mindful not to splash the liquid onto that beautiful rim you worked so hard on!
Serve these immediately while they’re cold, bubbly, and that candy cane rim is still crunchy. This is one of those holiday peppermint drinks that always gets an audible “ooh!” from my guests. Get ready for the compliments!
My Top Tips & Variations for This Peppermint Mocktail Recipe
This Candy Cane Mocktail is bulletproof, but after making it for a few holiday seasons, I’ve definitely learned a few things. Here’s how you can customize it to ensure it comes out perfectly every single time.
- The “Double Dip” Rim: If you are really extra (like me) and want a thick, crunchy rim, you can do a double dip. Dip the candy in the syrup. Let it sit and “set” for a minute. Then, very lightly dip just the candy-coated edge back into the syrup and immediately return it to the candy canes. It’s more work, but it’s a showstopper.
- Make-Ahead Hack: Hosting a party? You can absolutely prep part of this ahead. Mix the base (half-and-half, simple syrup, and peppermint oil) and store it in a sealed jar or container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can even prep the rims hours in advance! When your guests arrive, pour the chilled base into a pitcher, add the cold cream soda right before serving, and pour. So easy.
- Dairy-Free or Lighter Option: This mocktail is intentionally rich and creamy. But if you need a dairy-free option, you can substitute the half-and-half with a “barista blend” oat milk or a high-fat canned coconut milk (the kind you use for curries, well-shaken). It will slightly alter the flavor, but it will still be delicious and creamy.
- Swap the Soda: Cream soda is my number one choice because its deep vanilla notes are the perfect partner for bright peppermint. But you can also substitute it! Ginger ale (especially a sharp, spicy one) adds a really nice kick. You could even use a sparkling white grape juice for a fruitier, less “soda-like” version.
What to Serve With Your Creamy Candy Cane Christmas Drink
This Candy Cane Mocktail is sweet and rich, so it’s practically a dessert in a glass. But it also plays beautifully with a variety of holiday snacks. I love to pair it with things that are either salty (to cut the sweetness) or rich with chocolate (a classic peppermint partner!).
- Salty & Savory: A big bowl of salty, buttery popcorn is fantastic with this. The sweet-and-salty combo is totally addictive. It’s also great with a simple cheese board, especially one with sharp cheddar or tangy goat cheese.
- Chocolate, Of Course: This is the obvious pairing! Serve these mocktails alongside a plate of dark chocolate brownies, fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies, or a platter of my (imaginary link) Easy 5-Ingredient Peppermint Bark.
- The Main Event: Honestly, these are perfect on their own for a tree-trimming party, a cookie-decorating session, or simply sipping by the fire while wrapping presents. They are the event!
Your Candy Cane Mocktail Questions Answered (FAQ)
I receive a few common questions about this creamy candy cane Christmas drink, so let’s address them!
What ingredients do you need for a Candy Cane Mocktail?
You only need four main ingredients for the drink itself! The creamy base is made from half-and-half and simple syrup, which is then flavored with peppermint oil (or peppermint extract). The whole thing is brought to life with bubbly, cold cream soda. For that festive rim, you’ll need a few crushed candy canes and a little more simple syrup to act as “glue.”
Can you make a creamy version of the Candy Cane Mocktail?
Absolutely! This recipe is all about being creamy and decadent. The secret is using half-and-half, which has a higher fat content than milk. This gives the mocktail a rich, velvety, almost milkshake-like texture that feels incredibly luxurious, especially when combined with the sharp bubbles from the cream soda.
What can you use to rim the glass for a festive look?
My personal favorite is, of course, finely crushed candy canes! It delivers that perfect peppermint flavor and crunch. But you can definitely get creative! You could also use red or green sanding sugar, edible holiday glitter for extra sparkle, or even finely crushed chocolate wafer cookies (like Oreos, filling removed) for a “cookies and cream” vibe. The key is simply having a sticky binder, such as simple syrup or corn syrup.
You’ve Got to Try This One!
And that’s all there is to it! A stunningly festive, perfectly creamy peppermint mocktail that everyone at the party, from age 5 to 95, can enjoy. It’s bubbly, sweet, and looks so impressive, yet it takes just minutes to pull together.
I hope this Candy Cane Mocktail brings extra sparkle and fun to your holiday gatherings this year. It’s become a non-negotiable tradition in my house.
If you try it, please let me know! Leave a comment below or tag me in your photos. I genuinely love to see your creations.
Happy holidays and happy mixing!
