Mix the milk and sugar with a whisk until the sugar is dissolved.

Add the whipping cream and the peppermint oil or extract. Stir and add the food coloring (if desired).

Pour into your ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's directions.

When ice cream has reached soft-serve consistency, remove from ice cream maker, transfer to an airtight container, and fold in broken Oreo pieces (if desired). (Don't just dump crushed cookies in the ice cream, or crumbs will get everywhere. I drop the Oreo pieces in by hand to avoid the crumb problem).

Freeze for several hours, or overnight.