Grasshopper

Grasshopper is a sweet, creamy cocktail made with crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and cream. It is typically served after-dinner as a digestif.

Grasshopper recipe

• 3 cl crème de menthe (green)
• 3 cl crème de cacao (white)
• 3 cl cream

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake briskly and then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Shaking a Grasshopper to a Smooth, Minty Finish

1. Chill a cocktail glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water while you prepare the drink. A very cold glass helps the creamy texture stay lush and velvety.
2. Fill a shaker with fresh ice. Add equal measures of green mint liqueur, white cacao liqueur, and cream.
3. Shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds. Because dairy is involved, a brisk shake is important: it both chills the mixture thoroughly and gives the drink its light, silky body.
4. Empty the ice water from the glass, if using, and strain the cocktail finely into the chilled glass.
5. Serve immediately, straight up and without ice. The drink is at its best when very cold and freshly shaken.
6. If you want a slightly lighter texture, use half-and-half instead of full cream; for a richer dessert-style version, keep the cream cold and full-bodied.

What the Grasshopper Tastes Like

The Grasshopper is sweet, cool, and unmistakably dessert-like. Expect a combination of mint chocolate flavors, softened by cream into something close to a liquid after-dinner treat. The green mint element gives it a vivid look and a fresh aroma, while the cacao note keeps it from tasting like candy alone.

Because all three parts are typically used in equal proportion, balance matters more than complexity here. If one bottle is especially sweet, a slightly firmer shake and extra chilling can help keep the drink from feeling heavy.

Best Way to Serve It

This cocktail belongs in a stemmed cocktail glass and should be served straight up, well chilled. It works best after dinner, alongside chocolate desserts, or as a retro party drink. A small mint sprig or a light dusting of shaved chocolate can work, but garnish is optional; the classic presentation is simple.

Retro Roots and a Bit of Mystery

The Grasshopper is usually linked to New Orleans, often associated with Tujague’s bar in the early 20th century. Precise origin details are a little fuzzy, but that is the most widely repeated and credible story. It became especially popular in the mid-20th century, when creamy cocktails had a major moment in hotel bars and home entertaining.

Easy Alcohol-Free Take

For a zero-proof version, shake together a mint syrup, a chocolate syrup or cocoa cream mixture, and chilled cream or a plant-based alternative. Keep the mint restrained so it stays smooth rather than toothpaste-bright. Strain into a chilled glass for a mocktail that still feels close to the original’s mint-chocolate-dessert character.