The Grasshopper is a delightfully retro cocktail that tastes like a mint chocolate chip milkshake for adults. This creamy, pale green drink combines crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and heavy cream to create something that’s part dessert, part cocktail, and entirely indulgent. Born in New Orleans in the early 1900s, the Grasshopper became wildly popular in the 1950s and 60s as a sophisticated after-dinner drink. While it fell out of fashion for a while, this sweet, minty concoction is making a comeback as people rediscover classic cocktails. The beautiful pale green color and refreshing mint flavor make it perfect for celebrations, holidays, or anytime you want something sweet and creamy without the heaviness of a traditional dessert. It’s surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to delight anyone with a sweet tooth.
Serving Quantity: 2 cocktails
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
1. Ingredients
- 2 ounces green crème de menthe
- 2 ounces white crème de cacao
- 2 ounces heavy cream
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 2 coupe glasses or martini glasses
- Whipped cream for topping (optional)
- Chocolate shavings for garnish
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
- Crushed chocolate cookies for rimming (optional)
2. Nutrition Information Per Serving
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sodium: 20mg
3. Choose Your Liqueurs
Green crème de menthe is essential for that signature bright green color and refreshing mint flavor. Don’t substitute with white crème de menthe or your drink will be pale instead of beautifully green. White crème de cacao provides chocolate flavor without darkening the color. Both liqueurs are sweet, so no additional sugar is needed. Look for quality brands as cheaper versions can taste artificial.
4. Chill Your Glasses
Place two coupe glasses or martini glasses in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before making your cocktails. The Grasshopper is served very cold, and frozen glasses help maintain that perfect frosty temperature. Cold glasses also make the drink look more appealing with a frosted appearance.
5. Prepare Optional Rim
If you want to rim your glasses with crushed chocolate cookies for extra decadence, do this before chilling. Place finely crushed chocolate sandwich cookies on a small plate. Wet the rim of each glass with a little cream or water, then dip into the cookie crumbs, turning to coat evenly. Then chill the prepared glasses.
6. Use Fresh Cold Cream
Make sure your heavy cream is very cold straight from the refrigerator. Cold cream blends better and creates a smoother texture in the finished cocktail. Heavy cream is essential for the proper rich, creamy consistency. Don’t substitute with milk or half-and-half as they’re too thin.
7. Fill Your Blender or Shaker
You can make a Grasshopper two ways. For a frozen, slushy texture similar to a milkshake, use a blender. For a smooth, pourable cocktail, use a shaker. The blender method is more traditional and creates that thick, dessert-like consistency most people associate with this drink.
8. Add Ingredients to Blender
If using a blender, add the green crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, heavy cream, and ice cubes. The ice should fill the blender about halfway. More ice creates a thicker drink, while less ice makes it more liquid. Start with 1 cup and adjust based on your preference.
9. Blend Until Smooth
Blend on high speed for about 20 to 30 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth and has the consistency of a thin milkshake. The ice should be completely crushed with no chunks remaining. The drink should be pale green, creamy, and frothy. If it’s too thick, add a splash more cream. If too thin, add a few more ice cubes and blend again.
10. Alternative Shaker Method
If using a shaker instead of a blender, fill the shaker three-quarters full with ice cubes. Add the crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and heavy cream. Seal tightly and shake vigorously for about 20 to 30 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty cold. This method creates a smooth, liquid cocktail rather than a frozen one.
11. Check the Consistency
Open your blender or shaker and check the texture. For the blended version, it should be thick and creamy like a milkshake but still pourable. For the shaken version, it should be very cold and slightly frothy from the cream. The color should be a beautiful pale mint green.
12. Pour Into Glasses
Remove your chilled glasses from the freezer. If you used a blender, pour the frozen Grasshopper into the glasses, dividing it evenly. The thick mixture should pour slowly and mound slightly in the glass. If you shook it, strain the mixture into the glasses through a fine-mesh strainer to catch any ice chips.
13. Add Whipped Cream Topping
For an extra indulgent presentation, top each Grasshopper with a generous dollop of whipped cream. You can use canned whipped cream for convenience or make fresh whipped cream for a more luxurious touch. The white cream creates a beautiful contrast against the pale green drink.
14. Garnish Generously
Sprinkle chocolate shavings over the whipped cream. Use a vegetable peeler to shave curls from a chocolate bar, or use a grater for finer shavings. Add a fresh mint leaf on top for color and aroma. The garnish makes the drink look festive and special.
15. Serve With a Straw or Spoon
Depending on how thick you made your Grasshopper, serve it with a wide straw for sipping or a spoon for eating. The blended version is often thick enough to eat with a spoon like a dessert. Serve immediately while it’s perfectly cold.
16. Enjoy as Dessert
The Grasshopper should be enjoyed slowly like a dessert. It’s rich and sweet, so small sips are best. The mint flavor is refreshing while the cream makes it indulgent. It’s the perfect ending to a meal or a special treat on its own.
17. Tips for Success
Quality liqueurs make a noticeable difference in this cocktail. Cheap crème de menthe can taste like toothpaste, while good quality versions have natural, refreshing mint flavor. Look for brands that use real peppermint. The ratio of ingredients is important for balance. Equal parts of the two liqueurs with cream creates the classic flavor. Some recipes use slightly more cream for extra richness, which works well too. Don’t over-blend if using a blender. Blending too long can make the mixture watery as the ice melts. Blend just until smooth and serve immediately. For a stronger mint flavor, add a half ounce more crème de menthe. For more chocolate flavor, increase the crème de cacao. Adjust to your taste preferences. Some people add a splash of vanilla extract to enhance the dessert-like quality. A quarter teaspoon adds nice depth without being noticeable. You can make this cocktail dairy-free by using coconut cream instead of heavy cream. The coconut flavor pairs wonderfully with the mint and chocolate. Full-fat coconut cream works best for proper thickness. For a boozy milkshake version, add a scoop of vanilla or mint chocolate chip ice cream to the blender. This creates an even thicker, more dessert-like drink. The Grasshopper is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations thanks to its bright green color. It’s also wonderful for Christmas with its festive mint and chocolate combination. Kids can enjoy a non-alcoholic version by replacing the liqueurs with mint syrup and chocolate syrup blended with cream and ice. It tastes like a mint chocolate chip milkshake. This cocktail doesn’t keep well once made, so prepare it fresh when you’re ready to serve. The cream can separate if it sits too long. For parties, you can pre-measure the liqueurs and have everything ready to blend quickly as guests arrive. Rimming the glass with crushed Oreos or chocolate cookie crumbs adds wonderful texture and makes it feel even more like dessert. Crushed candy canes work beautifully during the holidays. The Grasshopper pairs wonderfully after rich meals. The mint is refreshing and aids digestion, while the sweetness satisfies dessert cravings without being as heavy as cake or pie. Some variations include adding a shot of vodka for extra strength, though this changes the delicate balance of the original recipe. If you do add vodka, use just a half ounce per drink. Coffee liqueur can replace some of the crème de cacao for a mint mocha variation that’s equally delicious. For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. It won’t be quite as rich but still tastes great and has fewer calories. The beautiful pale green color comes entirely from the crème de menthe. If you want a brighter green, you can add a single drop of green food coloring, but it’s not necessary. Serve these at retro-themed parties or cocktail hours. The vintage appeal of the Grasshopper makes it a conversation starter and nostalgic treat.
