There was a keg dressed as Santa, guys and girls in fake antlers, and pirated Christmas music blaring over the din of the crowd. And if you could push your way through the tipsy mass of people, one noble student was playing bartender in the corner. The choices she gave us were mulled wine or a Grasshopper cocktail. Not yet one for wine and unsure what a Grasshopper was, I chose the latter.
A Sweet, Creamy, Minty Drink
I was assured it was a fine choice and watched as she poured together something that was green and full of cream. I winced, expecting it to turn into a curdled, nasty mess. Surprise, surprise, it was anything but! It was sweet and creamy with a flavor reminiscent of melted mint chip ice cream. Practically Christmas in a glass.
The Grasshopper Drink: A Retro Cocktail Favorite
While some cocktail snobs may consider the Grasshopper a campy drink-your-dessert cocktail, I prefer to embrace its kitschy nature. The bright green drink is a conversation starter. Anytime I serve it at a dinner party I find my guests either joyfully recalling the last time they had one, or marveling that they had never tried one before. Cheers! This cocktail gets its green hue and mint flavor from crème de menthe liqueur, and its chocolate flavor from white crème de cacao liqueur (don’t use dark crème de cacao or you’ll muddy the color). Heavy cream adds body and richness.
Chilling the Glassware for a Grasshopper Cocktail Drink
Since the grasshopper cocktail is shaken with ice but served with no ice in the glass, it’s best served in either a martini glass and a coupe glass (a stemmed glass with a shallow bowl that’s used for sparkling wine or drinks without ice). To keep the drink cold after pouring, chill the glassware before pouring the drink into it by adding ice to the bowl and allowing it to sit for several minutes. Dump the ice out before pouring in the cocktail.
When to Serve Grasshopper Drinks
ChristmasNew Year’s EveValentine’s DaySt. Patrick’s DayCocktail hourBrunchAnytime!
More Decadent Cocktails to Try!
Chocolate Martini Espresso Martini Hemingway Daiquiri White Russian Cocktail Chocolate Sidecar
