Santa Little Helper Recipe

Fun & Festive Santa Little Helper Recipe for Holiday Magic

Little elves have nothing on this santa little helper recipe that brings pure joy to winter celebrations.

Magic sparks when simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.

Cozy kitchens buzz with excitement as delightful aromas drift through the house.

Memories of childhood Christmas mornings dance in your mind while preparing this magical treat.

Comfort wraps around you like a warm blanket, promising delicious moments ahead.

Sweet nostalgia meets culinary creativity in this playful dish.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this festive creation that captures the spirit of holiday cheer.

Santa Little Helper Sweet And Boozy Blend

  • Create Quick Holiday Magic: This cocktail transforms ordinary ingredients into a festive, delightful drink that screams Christmas spirit in minutes.
  • Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: With just a cocktail shaker and five simple ingredients, anyone can craft a professional-looking holiday cocktail without complex bartending skills.
  • Perfect Party Pleaser: The Santa Little Helper delivers a creamy, minty, and indulgent flavor profile that'll wow guests at holiday gatherings, office parties, or cozy winter celebrations.
  • Customize with Ease: Adjust sweetness by varying Baileys amount, swap whipped cream for a lighter topping, or experiment with different candy cane crushings to make the drink uniquely yours.

Mix of Flavors in Santa Little Helper

Holiday Spirits:
  • Eggnog, Baileys Irish Cream, Peppermint Schnapps: Creamy base with delightful holiday flavors that create a rich and festive cocktail blend. Look for high-quality, smooth-tasting liqueurs.
Base Ingredients:
  • Ice: Crucial for chilling and diluting the cocktail to the perfect temperature. Standard cubed or crushed ice works well.
Garnish and Finishing Touches:
  • Whipped Cream, Crushed Candy Canes: Sweet and decorative topping that adds festive visual appeal and extra holiday spirit. Freshly whipped cream provides the best texture.

What To Do To Serve Santa Little Helper

Step 1: Chill The Cocktail Shaker

Grab your cocktail shaker and fill it generously with ice cubes.

The more ice, the better the chill.

Step 2: Blend Festive Spirits

Pour in the following delightful ingredients:
  • Eggnog
  • Baileys Irish Cream
  • Peppermint Schnapps

Step 3: Shake With Holiday Energy

Seal the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.

Let the ingredients dance and mingle, creating a frosty holiday symphony.

Step 4: Strain Into Festive Vessel

Grab a chilled glass and carefully strain the creamy, minty mixture through a cocktail strainer.

Watch the gorgeous liquid cascade into your glass.

Step 5: Create Whimsical Topping

Crown your cocktail with a fluffy cloud of whipped cream.

Make it look like a winter wonderland by sprinkling crushed candy canes on top.

Step 6: Celebrate The Season

Serve immediately and toast to the joyful holiday spirit.

This Santa’s Little Helper will warm your heart and spark festive cheer with every sip.

Cocktail Prep Notes For Santa’s Helper

  • Pop your serving glass in the freezer beforehand to keep the cocktail extra cold and create a frosty exterior that enhances the festive experience.
  • Use a rolling pin or the back of a spoon to crush candy canes into fine, uniform pieces for an even and attractive garnish.
  • Adjust the ratio of Baileys and peppermint schnapps based on personal preference to create a smoother or more intense flavor profile.
  • Make fresh whipped cream by beating heavy cream with a touch of powdered sugar for a richer, more luxurious topping than store-bought versions.
  • Shake the cocktail thoroughly with ice and strain quickly to maintain the optimal temperature and prevent dilution.

Santa Helper Mix Stores Cheerfully in the Fridge

  • Store leftover Santa Little Helper cocktail in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the whipped cream and candy cane garnish separate to maintain freshness.
  • When ready to enjoy, give the cocktail a gentle shake or stir to remix the ingredients that may have settled.
  • Do not freeze this cocktail, as the dairy and alcohol components will separate and lose their smooth texture.
  • Always add fresh whipped cream and crushed candy canes when reheating or serving leftovers to ensure the best taste and presentation.

Sweet Matches For Santa’s Helper

  • Comfort Companion: Pair this creamy cocktail with gooey chocolate brownies to enhance the rich, sweet flavors and create a decadent holiday dessert experience.
  • Cheese Counterpoint: Select a mild blue cheese or creamy brie to balance the cocktail's sweetness, offering a sophisticated contrast that elevates the drink's complexity.
  • Spice Harmony: Serve alongside gingerbread cookies or cinnamon-spiced nuts to complement the peppermint and eggnog notes, creating a warm, festive flavor profile.
  • Fruit Accent: Add fresh cranberries or a small orange slice to brighten the cocktail's creamy base and provide a tangy, refreshing counterbalance to the rich ingredients.

Santa Little Helper Twists

  • Dairy-Free Delight: Swap traditional eggnog with almond or oat milk nog, use coconut whipped cream, and replace Baileys with non-dairy Irish cream alternative.
  • Low-Alcohol Version: Reduce alcohol content by using half the original amount of spirits or substitute with alcohol-free Irish cream and non-alcoholic peppermint syrup.
  • Mocktail Friendly: Create a kid-friendly version using vanilla milk, non-alcoholic cream liqueur, and peppermint extract, topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.
  • Vegan Holiday Treat: Replace dairy ingredients with plant-based eggnog, coconut cream liqueur, and vegan whipped topping, maintaining the festive flavor profile.

FAQs

  • What alcohol is in this cocktail?

This cocktail contains Baileys Irish Cream and peppermint schnapps, creating a creamy and minty holiday drink.

  • Can I make this drink without a cocktail shaker?

While a cocktail shaker helps blend and chill the ingredients, you can use a large jar with a tight lid or simply stir the ingredients together in a glass with ice.

  • Is this cocktail strong?

The Santa Little Helper has a moderate alcohol content due to the combination of Baileys and peppermint schnapps, making it a festive but not overly potent drink.

  • Can I make a non-alcoholic version?

Yes, replace the Baileys and peppermint schnapps with non-alcoholic alternatives like vanilla syrup and peppermint extract to create a family-friendly version of the drink.

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Santa Little Helper Recipe

Santa Little Helper Recipe


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4.9 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1x

Description

Indulge in Santa’s Little Helper, a festive cocktail blending peppermint schnapps, vodka, and chocolate liqueur that captures holiday cheer in a glass. Cheerful sips bring winter magic right to your celebration, warming spirits with each delightful taste.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Spirit Ingredients:

  • 1 ounce (30 milliliters) baileys irish cream
  • 1 ounce (30 milliliters) peppermint schnapps
  • 1 ounce (30 milliliters) eggnog

Garnish Ingredients:

  • Crushed candy canes

Topping Ingredients:

  • Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

  1. Chill a cocktail shaker by adding a generous amount of ice cubes to create the perfect frosty base for this holiday libation.
  2. Pour the creamy eggnog, velvety Baileys Irish Cream, and invigorating peppermint schnapps into the shaker, ensuring a harmonious blend of seasonal flavors.
  3. Vigorously shake the mixture for 15-20 seconds, allowing the ingredients to marry and the concoction to become thoroughly chilled and frothy.
  4. Carefully strain the silky smooth liquid into a festive cocktail glass, eliminating any unwanted ice fragments.
  5. Crown the drink with a generous dollop of pillowy whipped cream, creating an elegant white peak.
  6. Sprinkle finely crushed candy canes over the whipped cream topping, adding a delightful peppermint crunch and vibrant holiday visual appeal.
  7. Serve the Santa Little Helper immediately, inviting guests to indulge in this merry and bright seasonal cocktail that captures the essence of winter celebrations.

Notes

  • Use high-quality, fresh eggnog for the richest, most authentic holiday flavor profile.
  • Chill your cocktail glass beforehand to keep the drink extra cold and enhance the creamy texture.
  • Crush candy canes just before serving to maintain their bright color and prevent moisture absorption.
  • Experiment with different schnapps varieties like creme de menthe for a unique holiday twist on the classic recipe.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Shaking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 300 kcal
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Daniel Bruns

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis


Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

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