Candy Cane Shot
Peppermint schnapps and grenadine — the December seasonal staple, peppermint schnapps widely available from the 1970s as a lower-proof crème de menthe descendant.
- ½ ozgrenadine
- ½ ozpeppermint schnapps
- ½ ozwhite crème de cacao
- mini candy canegarnish
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The Candy Cane Shot belongs to the tradition of holiday-themed cocktails that proliferated in American bars from the 1980s onward, when seasonal bar menus became a commercial strategy for driving December traffic. Peppermint schnapps — a sweeter, lower-proof descendant of the French creme de menthe liqueur dating to the late 19th century — became widely available through brands like DeKuyper and Arrow from the 1970s, making it the natural base for winter-themed shooters. The Candy Cane Shot uses peppermint schnapps with grenadine or raspberry liqueur to recreate the iconic red-and-white striped appearance of the candy cane in liquid form, pairing a sharp menthol sweetness with bright berry color. It became a reliable December staple at holiday office parties, Christmas gatherings, and seasonal bar menus throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
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Everything you need to make a great Candy Cane Shot at home.
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