This post may contain affiliate links. This blog generates income via ads.
Perfect for enjoying as a digestif cocktail after dinner, this vibrant green, classic grasshopper cocktail combines crème de menthe, crème de cacao and heavy cream. The result is a refreshing mint-chocolate flavored shaken cocktail that’s ready to serve in 5 minutes or less. For an extra special treat, try a blended variation made with ice cream!
Enjoying a grasshopper is like drinking a liquid Andes mint. It’s so smooth, just sweet enough, and full of delicious mint-chocolate taste. This green cocktail recipe is sure to be one of your new favorite homemade cocktail recipes!
Ingredients for this recipe
- Crème de Menthe – a mint liqueur available at most liquor stores, you’ll recognize it for its bright green color
- Crème de Cacao – a chocolate-scented liqueur made from cocoa beans that’s just delightful
- Heavy Cream – full-fat dairy is a signature of this digestif
- Whipped Cream and Chocolate Shavings – to garnish, if you feel so inclined
How to make a grasshopper cocktail
- Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker. That’s filled with ice.
- Shake it up. Until well chilled, about ten seconds.
- Strain into a glass. Traditionally, the grasshopper is served up in a coupe or martini glass.
It’s really that easy to enjoy this cocktail! I’m guessing that’s why it’s such a popular digestif cocktail (that means "after dinner drink"). It will freshen your breath, satisfy your sweet tooth, and doesn’t require too much effort after a big meal.
What is a grasshopper cocktail?
Developed by New Orleans bartender Philibert Guichet in 1918, the grasshopper is a classic digestif (that means “after dinner drink”) that’s been popular on restaurant menus for over a century.
Philibert developed this crème de menthe cocktail for a competition in NYC in 1918 and won second place. He took the drink back to the bar he worked at in NOLA, Tujague, that still serves his recipe to this day. What a legacy!
Making a blended grasshopper drink
While the original grasshopper cocktail was developed in the South, we Midwesterners got ahold of it decades ago and, of course, added more dairy.
The most common way I see grasshoppers offered in supper clubes in Wisconsin is as a boozy milkshake made with vanilla ice cream. In fact, most people here don't even know the original doesn't contain ice cream!
To make an ice cream grasshopper: add 2 scoops of vanilla bean ice cream to a blender, followed by the crème de menthe and crème de cacao and blend until smooth. Serve with whipped cream and a cherry to garnish, if desired.
If you love a Wisconsin supper club cocktail, be sure to check out my recipe for Brandy Old Fashioned that can be made sweet, sour, or press!
Big Batch Blended Grasshoppers
Every New Year’s Eve our family toasts to the new year with a big, blended batch of grasshoppers. Here’s how to make enough ice cream grasshoppers for a group of four:
- Add 8 scoops (about 4 cups) of vanilla ice cream to a blender.
- Add ¾ cup of crème de menthe and ¾ cup of crème de cacao.
- Blend until smooth.
- If necessary, add a splash of heavy cream to make it blend easier.
- Serve in tall glasses garnished with whipped cream and maraschino cherries.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Crème de Menthe – Crème de menthe is a liqueur made from grain alcohol infused with mint, not unlike peppermint schnapps. You need the green version to get the classic bright green color in this cocktail, but they also make a clear, uncolored version that will add the same flavor if it’s all you can find.
- Crème de Cacao – also a grain alcohol that’s been infused, this time with cocoa beans that has a light, sweet chocolate flavor. This liqueur also comes in a clear version! I use brown, but you can use clear if that’s what you have.
- Heavy Cream – if you don’t have heavy cream on hand, you can use half & half or whole milk if you’re desperate. I don’t recommend using 2% or skim milk, as they will be too watery for this drink.
- Grasshopper Ice Cream – if you want to have a one-step drink recipe, you can blend up a few scoops of my no-church grasshopper ice cream for a super quick and fun cocktail!
Watch the recipe video!
3-Ingredient Homemade Grasshopper Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Coupe or martini glasses
- Cocktail Jigger
Ingredients
For a classic grasshopper cocktail:
- 1 ½ oz crème de menthe
- 1 ½ oz crème de cacao
- 2 oz heavy cream
- Chocolate shavings to garnish
- Whipped cream to garnish
For a blended grasshopper:
- 2 scoops vanilla bean ice cream
Instructions
For a classic grasshopper cocktail:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 1 ½ oz crème de menthe, 1 ½ oz crème de cacao, and 2 oz heavy cream. Cover and shake until well chilled, about 10 seconds.
- Serve the drink up in a coupe glass with whipped cream and chocolate shavings to garnish, if desired.
For a blended grasshopper:
- Add 2 scoops of vanilla bean ice cream to a blender, followed by 1 ½ oz crème de menthe and 1 ½ oz crème de cacao and blend until smooth. If necessary, add a splash of heavy cream to make the shake thinner.
- Pour into a large glass, garnish with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- For a fun serving idea - rim the edge of the cocktail glass with chocolate syrup and coat in chocolate shavings. Yum!
- No cocktail shaker? Use a mason jar with a lid and a small strainer to shake your grasshopper.
- If you don't have a cocktail jigger, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
- Refer to post for ingredient substitutions.
Comments
No Comments