Get festive with the night-before-Christmas martini

Peppermint is the official candy of the holiday season, and I can understand why. As a child, my Mom would make peppermint hot chocolate and top the whipped cream with crushed peppermint candies. I confess to having a passion for Peppermint Patties and, of course, peppermint ice cream — especially when Chef Pedro is whipping up his homemade desserts at The Table.

These days, I look for the grown-up version of peppermint; infusing peppermint into vodka makes for a clean, cool and seasonal delight. Needless to say, crushing peppermint candy canes is the perfect start to a holiday splash. Here’s my version of the Night before Christmas martini:

• Infuse Vodka: Crush three candy canes in a mason jar. Add one bottle preferred vodka and seal tightly. Place date on top of the lid. Shake well and store (This infusion does not need to be in a cool, dark place, as candy canes have a long shelf life.

• Let rest for two days, shaking two to three times per day. Two days later, your peppermint vodka is ready to set the stage for a holiday cocktail.

The Night Before Christmas martini:

1 ½ ounces Infused peppermint vodka

½ ounce white crème de cocoa

2 ounces French vanilla cream

Shake over ice and pour into chilled martinis glass

1 Peppermint Patty crushed and sprinkled on top

Cheers to a happy holiday season!

Ila Edwards is the bar chef and general manager at The Table Creekside