Creamy, minty and chocolaty, the smooth and rich Grasshopper will have you leaping across the room for your next round.
You’ll be pleased to discover that tonight’s cocktail is a tasty one. Sweet, minty and with a chocolate-flavored finish, the Grasshopper is presented as frothy, smooth and very inviting. And don’t let the name fool you, either. Made of crème de cacao, crème de menthe and heavy cream, this delicious tipple has nary an insect in it. Thankfully.
The history of this drink bounces around just as much as the hopping bug it’s named after. The first known mention of this drink dates back to 1908, where a recipe layering crème de cacao and crème de menthe appeared in William Boothby’s book The World’s Drinks and How to Mix Them. Some claim that Philibert Guichet of Tujague’s restaurant in New Orleans invented the Grasshopper in 1919 during a cocktail contest in New York City, securing second place. When Prohibition went into effect, the drink didn’t have much of a chance to flourish until it reappeared during the heady disco days of the 1970s. Since then, more than a few Grasshoppers have been imbibed on nights out.
I always find it somewhat amusing when I delve into the history of any given mixed drink or alcoholic beverage how murky and muddled most are, especially some of the more famous ones. You’d think that there’d be documentation, eyewitnesses and the like to verify a lot of the stories that accompany these recipes. And more often than not, many of them are disputed, have contradicting accounts or are just straight-up unknown and lost to time. Somebody crafted and named these things. Maybe they had a few too many, along with everyone around them and that’s why nobody had a sharp memory.
We are talking about alcoholic beverages, so it does make some sense, doesn’t it?
What Is the Best Alcohol to Use in a Grasshopper?
The two boozy ingredients used in this recipe are of the crème variety. Both crème de menthe and cacao are easily obtainable at your local liquor store. There are a few brands out there that produce these spirits, and none of them are overly expensive. Whichever you choose will make a nice Grasshopper.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce green crème de menthe
- 1 ounce white crème de cacao
- 1 ounce heavy cream
- Mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Fill your cocktail shaker to about halfway with ice cubes.
- Add crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and cream.
- Shake it thoroughly until the exterior of the shaker becomes frosty.
- Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a few mint leaves.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Chill a cocktail glass or coupe in your freezer for up to 30 minutes. After pouring
How many calories are in a typical Grasshopper?
This is a hefty tipple, coming in at about 300 calories per glass.
Similar Drinks to the Grasshopper Cocktail
If your taste for silky smooth and creamy treats has only grown since you’ve enjoyed a few Grasshoppers, let Twist & Toast help keep that spark lit by showing you even more cocktails that favor tonight’s recipe. Check some of these delectable mixtures out, then explore the site for even more ideas.
- Brandy Alexander – Creamy and strong, this drink was one of John Lennon’s favorites.
- Pink Squirrel – Crème de noyaux joins with crème de cacao in this tasty and inviting tipple.
- Christmas Martini – Forget milk and cookies, this is what Santa really wants this year.
- Key Lime Martini – Creamy, sweet and strong, this cocktail is like a slice of pie in a glass.
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