Grasshopper Cocktail

This Classic Grasshopper Cocktail is a fun and delicious adult treat known for its classic vibrant green color. I think of it more as a dessert cocktail with the creamy and sweet chocolate mint flavor it gets from the white chocolate and heavy cream. It’s like a girl scout cookie in a glass.

When Philip Guichet created the Grasshopper Cocktail in his French Quarter restaurant Tujague’s in the early 1900s for a New York City cocktail competition, I don’t think he had any idea how popular this creamy, minty classic adult beverage would become.

The cocktail gets its striking green color thanks to the Creme de Menthe liqueur that is the main ingredient. The Creme de Menthe also gives it a minty flavor which, when paired with the chocolate liqueur, gives it an exquisite chocolate mint flavor.

With its vibrant color and refreshing flavor, this Chocolate Mint Cocktail is a fun drink to serve at dinner parties, holiday festivities, game day gatherings, and it is always a hit at St. Patrick’s Day parties. By the way, the Grasshopper took second place in that drink competition, but even with all my research, I couldn’t tell you what beat it.

Why You’ll Love This Drink

• Festive – This Grasshopper Cocktail is so festive and fun to serve at dinner parties and gatherings, game day parties and at St. Patrick’s Day parties. Make it with ice cream for an “Adult Shamrock Shake”
• Beautiful – The cocktail is a striking green color thanks to the Creme de Menthe liqueur that is the main ingredient. The Creme gives it a minty flavor which, when paired with the chocolate liqueur, gives it a chocolate mint flavor.
• Conversational – Seriously. The history of this drink is filled with fun facts. The Grasshopper cocktail is believed to have been invented by Philibert Guichet, the owner of Restaurant in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana for a drink competition. At least that’s the legend.

Grasshopper Ingredients

This is an easy, fun cocktail to make with just a few ingredients.

• Creme de menthe – make sure you get the green variety for the classic color.
• White chocolate liqueur (or, white creme de cacao) – I like to use Godiva white chocolate liqueur, but you can use any brand.
• Heavy cream – use heavy cream for the best results 
• Ice – for shaking the drink to chill
• Fresh mint leaves – for garnish
• Chocolate shavings or chocolate sauce – for garnish

Equipment Needed To Make 

• Cocktail shaker 
• Cocktail strainer (if you’re shaker lid doesn’t have one built in)
• Coupe or Martini Glass

Substitutions & Alterations

• You can use clear creme de menthe, but the drink loses that classic color its known for.
• You can sub half and half for the heavy cream. If you use milk, the drink comes out thinner and less flavorful.
• Replace the cream with vodka and it becomes a Flying Grasshopper.
• I’ve also seen frozen/milkshake versions of this using vanilla ice cream instead of the heavy cream.

How To Make a Grasshopper Cocktail 

Follow these simple instructions for the perfect Grasshopper everyone will rave about.

Step 1 – Use some chocolate sauce to create a “pattern” inside the cocktail glass. You can create lines, swirls, or even simple dots.

In a cocktail shaker with ice, add the heavy cream,

Step 2 – Add the white chocolate liqueur,

Step 3 – Add the Creme de Menthe.

Step 4 –  Cover the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain the drink into the chocolate dripped glass. 

Add a dollop of whipped cream and a sprig of mint or some chocolate shavings.

Time Saving Tips & Tricks

• For best results serve in a chilled cocktail glass. This will help the chocolate sauce stick to the glass.
• If you don’t want to drizzle the chocolate, you can always just dip the glass rim in the chocolate and then some chocolate sprinkles for a quicker method.
• Use a martini or coupe style glass for serving.
• This recipe can be doubled or scaled up for parties.
• For more fun St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails, try my St. Patrick’s Day Shots, my Irish Cream Martini or Irish Cream White Russian

How to Serve a Grasshopper Cocktail

Serve this chocolate and mint cocktail immediately in a chilled coupe-style or martini glass or tulip-style champagne glass. 

Garnish with chocolate shavings and fresh mint or chocolate mint leaves.

More Dessert Cocktails

Rumchata Hot Chocolate

Baileys Ice Cream Float

Bailey’s Jello Shots

White Chocolate Peppermint Martini

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