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The North Pole, this might just be the most festive drink ever!
When it comes to Christmas, I can’t help but to go all out. I love having fun with Christmas recipes, creating not only the cutest foods, but making them the most delicious too. This fun cocktail is no exception, this drink just screams Christmas and nothing else. It’s sweet and slightly chocolatey with just a hint of peppermint and ginger. Think gingerbread martini meets chocolate martini…basically it’s Christmas in a cup with a hit of vodka…
The key to this cocktail is the molasses and pinch of ginger. It makes the drink sweet, gingery and all things cozy! Well…the Kahlúa is pretty KEY as well, it adds a kick of coffee flavor and pairs really nicely with the creaminess of the drink. If you’re thinking this sounds like a lot for one drink, think again, everything together is truly awesome, and like I said, it’s pretty much like having Christmas in a cup! Still can’t decide if these are more of a cocktail or a dessert, but I’m going with a combo and saying it’s fair game to serve them either before or after dinner! <–I surely did both!
I actually served these up on Thanksgiving Day to my family and they where the perfect sweet drink to keep everyone decorating the tree and going until dinner. Plus, it was also my younger brother’s 21st birthday, therefore, cocktails were obviously needed. The fam has already requested these be made again over Christmas…so our entire family can try them. If you enjoy sweeter cocktails, these are totally what you NEED to be making for your next holiday party. These would be perfect for a night of Christmas tree decorating, or after a day hitting the stores hard. They’re a super fun way to celebrate the season. So relax, kick back, enjoy the tree lights, a nice roaring fire AND, if you’re like me, your favorite Christmas music. Yep, this is your holiday drink. <–DO IT.
Ingredients
The North Pole
- 4 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces Kahlúa, or more to taste
- 4 tablespoons chocolate syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 teaspoons molasses
- 1/8 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- whipped cream, candy canes and gingerbread cookies, for serving (optional)
Instructions
The North Pole
- In a cocktail shaker combine the vodka, Kahlúa, chocolate syrup, vanilla, molasses, and ginger. Shake until well combined. Add ice and shake again. Strain into 4 glasses. Top off each glass with heavy cream. Dollop with whipped cream and garnish as desired. DRINK!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
PS. and how fun is the name? THE NORTH POLE?!? Love it.
Hi Tieghan,
In 2020 you gave me permission to share one of your holiday cocktail recipes on my Instagram page, with attribution. May I share your North Pole Cocktail this year (wth attribution)?
Thanks, and I love your content.
Liza
Liza Nash Taylor
Website- http://www.lizanashtaylor.com
Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Hi Liza! Yes, you can absolutely tag me and share in on your Instagram, thanks for asking! 🙂 xT
I’ve been using your recipes for a year now. I love all of them. So I’m making this for a Christmas party and want them to look like yours. So simple sugar around rim. Can I ask what is on top of peppermint stick?
I am participating in a progressive dinner with my neighbors this Christmas. Each house prepares a course & cocktail. We have dessert. Can this be made ahead?
Hi Amiko,
Sure, I would just wait to add the whipped cream for serving! I hope you love this recipe! Cheers! xT
Love it! I didn’t have all the ingredients for the chocolate martini so I made this instead. It was delicious! I made a half batch for one serving which was a good decision. 🙂
Hey Carissa,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and appreciate you giving it a try! xT
Had my lifelong girlfriends of over 50 years for the weekend and made this incredible drink. It was a huge hit. Cheers!
Hey Mary Ann,
Wonderful!!🎄 I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and sharing your review! xx
This looks amazing! In the photo, what are the cocktail glasses rimmed with?
Thanks so much Catherine!! I rimmed the glasses with sugar:) Happy Holidays! xx
Loved this! What’s a good supplement to use for Virgin N Pole drinks (for my pregnant friend :))
Hey Beth,
You can just skip the alcohol and use more milk:) I hope this recipe turns out well for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
So yummy! Can you share where these glasses came from? I’ve been on the hunt for a wide stemless wine glass like this! Thank you!
Hey Taylor,
Here’s the link for the glasses:
https://rstyle.me/+foTmPzzcV-EahfAYC27jsQ
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
What did you garnish the rim of the glass with?
Hey Patricia,
I just did a simple sugar rim for this drink. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
OMG, I just “found” you recently and am so drawn into everything you do, but these Holiday cocktails look amazing and cannot wait to treat the family next week 🙂 Your blog has become my “rabbit hole” Thanks for sharing your passion with the world!
Thank you so much Taryn, I hope you love the recipes! xTieghan
Can you please make a cookbook with all your amazing cocktails?!
Thanks for your recommendation Jill!
I second this idea, spiral bound w water proof pages that I can keep at the bar!
So, I hesitate to give this only three stars, because it IS good, but having tasted your coconut White Russian we will choose that over this one every time. It is like an explosion of delicious in your mouth. This one is good and creamy, but a little on the sweet side for us and the molasses was a little over powering.
Hey Jenn,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
I wish the reviews were about how the drink tasted. Unfortunately, the 20 odd ones I read either loved the pictures, loved the name of the drink, or were looking forward to making it. Not a single one had actually made the cocktail so could not comment on the taste.
This was quite tasty, I’m making this also for Christmas Day, in Australia so it’s hot on Christmas so the colder the drink the better . I used a blender instead as I didn’t have a cocktail shaker which blended the ice in and created a creamy head with the cream. Also lined the glass with chocolate fudge. I think I’d like to try this with some peppermint essence and maybe even some added dutch cocoa powder for the chocolate fiend in me
Hey Michael,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
How is this cocktail pepperminty? Where does it list an ingredient that makes it so? The garnish only?
?????
Hi Tina,
This recipe has just a hint of peppermint from the candy canes:) I hope you love the recipe! Cheers! xx
Do you use ground ginger or fresh ginger?
Hey Julie,
I use ground ginger for this recipe. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This looks delicious! And so festive! Can I make this ahead and refrigerate it, just without the Ice?
Hey Genevieve,
Yes, that would work well! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Made this tonight with vanilla vodka and Netflix Christmas movie. Perfect combo 🙂 thanks again
Hey Dana,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan