Ordinary Drink
Grasshopper
The Grasshopper is a classic cocktail known for its vibrant green hue and creamy texture. Made with equal parts crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and fresh cream, this refreshing drink offers a delightful blend of minty and chocolate flavors, making it a favorite after-dinner treat. Served chilled in a cocktail glass, it’s both visually appealing and indulgently smooth.
- minty
- creamy
- chocolatey
- sweet
- Prep Time
- 5 min
- Glass
- Cocktail glass
- Difficulty
- Easy
- ABV
- 17%
- Yields
- 1 serving
At its core, the Grasshopper is a classic ordinary drink that takes about 5 minutes to make. The result is minty and creamy — worth every second. Consistently one of the most popular dessert searches, and for good reason.
Key Takeaways
What you’ll learn
- The Grasshopper was created at Tujague's bar in New Orleans around 1918 by owner Philip Guichet, who won second place with it in a New York cocktail competition.
- The classic recipe uses equal parts crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and heavy cream for a perfectly balanced mint-chocolate profile.
- Green crème de menthe gives the iconic bright colour; white crème de menthe offers identical flavour with a cleaner, paler presentation.
- Vigorous shaking for 15–20 seconds is essential for cream-based cocktails to emulsify properly and achieve the correct texture.
- The frozen Grasshopper variation became wildly popular in the 1950s–60s and remains a beloved dessert drink.
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Ingredients
- Serves
- 1 serving
- Glass
- Cocktail glass
- Prep
- 5 min
- 3/4 ozGreen Creme de Menthe
- 3/4 oz whiteCreme de Cacao
- 3/4 ozLight cream
Method
Preparation
- 01
Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake briskly and then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Origin
History & Origins
The Grasshopper cocktail was born in the French Quarter of New Orleans around 1918 at Tujague's, one of the city's oldest restaurants and bars, which first opened in 1856. Philip Guichet, the establishment's second owner, created the minty-sweet concoction for a cocktail competition in New York City, where it won second place. In the hearts of dessert-cocktail lovers, however, it became a champion. Tujague's still stands today at 823 Decatur Street and still serves the original Grasshopper.
The drink became particularly fashionable in the 1950s and 1960s, when creamy dessert-style cocktails dominated American cocktail culture. The equal-parts formula — crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and heavy cream — created something that tasted uncannily like liquid mint-chocolate ice cream, earning the cocktail a devoted following among diners who wanted a sweet finish without committing to a full dessert. Restaurants across the American South adopted it as a signature after-dinner offering.
The equal-parts formula — crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and heavy cream — created something that tasted uncannily like liquid mint-chocolate ice cream, earning the cocktail a devoted following among diners who wanted a sweet finish without committing to a full dessert.
Though cream-based cocktails fell somewhat out of fashion during the craft cocktail revolution's emphasis on spirit-forward drinks, the Grasshopper has experienced a nostalgic revival. Modern bartenders are rediscovering these indulgent classics and introducing them to new audiences, sometimes elevating the recipe with artisanal crème de menthe or house-made chocolate syrups. Its vivid green colour, iconic flavour, and straightforward preparation make it a perennial crowd-pleaser.
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Bartender’s Insight
Pro Tips
Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds — cream cocktails need aggressive agitation to emulsify properly and achieve the correct silky texture.
From Willow
Pre-chill your coupe glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes; a warm glass rapidly collapses the texture of cream-based cocktails.
Double-strain through a fine-mesh strainer for a perfectly smooth texture free of ice chips.
Store crème de menthe in the refrigerator after opening to preserve its fresh mint character.
Use white crème de cacao exclusively — dark crème de cacao turns the bright green drink an unappealing brown.
At the Table
Perfect Pairings
Beyond the Classic
Variations
Flying Grasshopper
0.75 oz green crème de menthe, 0.75 oz white crème de cacao, 0.75 oz vodka, 1 oz heavy cream. The vodka adds kick without altering the mint-chocolate flavour profile, appealing to those who prefer more alcoholic strength.
Frozen Grasshopper
1 oz green crème de menthe, 1 oz white crème de cacao, 2 oz heavy cream or 1 scoop vanilla ice cream, 1 cup crushed ice. Blend until smooth. The ultimate 1960s nostalgia drink — a mint-chocolate adult milkshake.
White Grasshopper
Use white crème de menthe instead of green for a paler, cream-coloured cocktail with identical flavour. Some prefer this more sophisticated, understated presentation for upscale occasions.
Vegan Grasshopper
1 oz green crème de menthe, 1 oz white crème de cacao, 1 oz coconut cream from a can. The coconut cream's fat content emulsifies well and adds a complementary tropical note to the mint-chocolate base.
Questions
Frequently Asked
- The Grasshopper has a flavor profile that is minty, creamy, chocolatey, sweet. It is crafted to balance these characteristics into a harmonious, satisfying drink that appeals to a wide range of palates.
- The Grasshopper is ideal for holiday gatherings, dessert parties, after-dinner drinks. Its flavor profile and presentation make it a versatile choice that works equally well as a social cocktail or a relaxed evening drink.
- Yes, there are several ways to adapt a Grasshopper. If you cannot source Green Creme de Menthe, look for a similar alternative that matches its flavor profile. Keep in mind that substitutions may alter the balance of the cocktail, so start with a smaller quantity and adjust to taste. The variations section above lists popular alternatives bartenders use.
- Some of the most popular Grasshopper variations include Flying Grasshopper, Frozen Grasshopper, White Grasshopper. Each variation puts a unique twist on the original recipe while retaining the essential character of the classic cocktail.
- The Grasshopper is traditionally served in a Cocktail glass. Using the right glassware is important because it affects the aroma, temperature retention, and overall drinking experience. If you do not have a Cocktail glass on hand, a similar shaped glass will work.
- Yes, a mocktail version of the Grasshopper is possible. Replace the base spirit with a non-alcoholic spirit alternative (there are many quality options available) and keep all other components the same. The result will capture much of the original's flavor profile while being suitable for guests who prefer alcohol-free options.
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