Grasshopper Drink Ingredients

Classic Grasshopper cocktail recipe

Known as one of the best after-dinner cocktails, the Grasshopper gets its name for its electric green color. In fact, it’s so popular that the Grasshopper drink recipe has a special place on IBA’s list of official cocktails. Crème de menthe and crème de cacao are the hero flavors in this drink, so if you love a scoop of mint choc chip ice cream, you will love this iconic drink.  

The Grasshopper alcoholic drink is a real crowd-pleaser for any Christmas cocktail party, St Paddy’s celebrations, and any occasion you can think of to be a little decadent and naughty. The best part is that it’s effortless to shake up. Still, we have one non-negotiable: serve your Grasshopper in a frosted martini glass—the extra chill factor adds to the velvety smoothness of the drinking experience and is totally worth that little bit of effort.

Chocolate and mint naturally love each other, and when you add cream to the mix, it becomes completely indulgent. It’s naturally sweet, and there’s a lot of room to play when learning how to make a Grasshopper.

The original recipe calls for equal parts crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and heavy cream, so if you want it more chocolatey, add more crème de cacao. Prefer a more robust mint taste? Add more crème de menthe. Want something lighter and creamier? Add more cream. How it turns out is entirely up to your own taste.  

What is crème de menthe?

Don’t let the name fool you, this liqueur doesn’t actually contain any cream at all. Crème de menthe is a grain alcohol that’s been infused with mint. It’s bright green in color, and taste-wise, you can expect it to be sweet and minty—and quite similar to peppermint schnapps. You get different types of this mint liqueur, and we suggest you reach for the green kind to keep the green color of your Grasshopper.    

What is crème de cacao?

Crème de cacao is as rich in history as it is in taste. First created by French monks for medicinal purposes in the 1600s when the cocoa bean hit European shores, it soared in popularity and became an essential ingredient for many cocktails, drinks, and desserts. Made with cocoa beans and vodka, it comes in two varieties (dark and white). While normal chocolate liqueur is often overly sweet, crème de cacao is richer in taste with notes of vanilla.    

Grasshopper cocktail variations

The Grasshopper drink recipe is easy to tweak to your taste and comes with loads of variations that you can play around with.  

• Make a Frosted Grasshopper by adding ice cream instead of cream. It’s basically a boozy choc-mint milkshake, and it is totally luscious.  
• Want a more potent cocktail? Then make a Flying Grasshopper by adding extra vodka. 
• Want something a little more dangerous with a bolder flavor, then top it with a brandy float. 
• Turn this drink into a party and create a Grasshopper shot. 
• For a refreshing summertime drink, turn this Grasshopper drink recipe into a Holiday Hopper with melon liqueur, half and half, mint leaves, and raspberries.