Grasshopper

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What Is a Grasshopper Cocktail?

The Grasshopper is a creamy, mint-green dessert cocktail made with equal parts green crème de menthe, white crème de cacao and heavy cream, shaken hard with ice and strained into a chilled glass. It tastes like a liquid after-dinner mint or a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream, and its pale green color makes it one of the most recognizable cocktails ever made.

The Grasshopper is low in alcohol compared with most classic cocktails, because both liqueurs are relatively light and the cream softens everything. It's sweet, smooth and playful, and it has been a favorite after-dinner treat for more than a century.

A Brief History of the Grasshopper

Tujague's in New Orleans

The Grasshopper is usually credited to Philibert Guichet, owner of Tujague's, one of the oldest restaurants in New Orleans. According to the restaurant, Guichet created the drink in 1918 and entered it in a New York cocktail competition, where it took second place. Tujague's still serves Grasshoppers today, and fans visit the French Quarter landmark just to try one at the source.

Mid-Century Popularity

The Grasshopper became really popular in the 1950s and 1960s, especially in the American South and Midwest, when sweet, creamy cocktails were fashionable at supper clubs and dinner parties. In Wisconsin, the drink evolved into a blended ice cream version that's still a supper club staple. Like many dessert drinks, it fell out of fashion during the 1980s and 90s, before the craft cocktail revival brought renewed interest in well-made classics, including this one. Learn more in the Grasshopper's Wikipedia entry.

Flavor Profile and What to Expect

The Grasshopper's flavor is mint and chocolate, rich and creamy. The crème de menthe brings cool, sweet peppermint, the crème de cacao adds a gentle milk-chocolate and vanilla sweetness, and the cream makes the texture smooth and velvety. Shaking hard with ice gives it a light, frothy body. It's sweet but not heavy when made with good ingredients and the right dilution, and the finish is cool and refreshing thanks to the mint.

Choosing the Ingredients

Crème de Menthe

Use green crème de menthe for the classic color. Higher-quality French brands taste of real mint rather than toothpaste and make a noticeably better drink. If you prefer not to use artificially colored liqueur, white crème de menthe gives the same flavor in a white drink.

Crème de Cacao

Choose white (clear) crème de cacao. Dark crème de cacao tastes similar but will turn the drink a murky brown instead of pale green.

Cream

Heavy cream gives the richest texture. Half-and-half makes a lighter drink but can taste thin. Always shake hard so the cream gets frothy and fully chilled.

Popular Variations

Frozen or Ice Cream Grasshopper

Blend the liqueurs with vanilla ice cream instead of cream for a thick, milkshake-style Grasshopper. It's a classic in Wisconsin supper clubs.

Flying Grasshopper

Adding vodka gives you a Flying Grasshopper, which is stronger and a little less sweet.

Mint Chocolate Cousins

If you love the Grasshopper's flavor, try our Chocolate Mint Martini, or the holiday-ready Grinch Cocktail. For a minty but stronger after-dinner drink, the Stinger mixes brandy with crème de menthe.

Other Creamy Classics

The Grasshopper belongs to the same family as the Brandy Alexander, the White Russian and the Mudslide, all creamy drinks that double as dessert.

How to Serve a Grasshopper

Glassware

Serve the Grasshopper in a chilled coupe or martini glass. Chill the glass first so the drink stays cold and frothy.

Garnish

A fresh mint sprig or leaf is the classic garnish. A light dusting of grated dark chocolate adds visual contrast and an extra chocolate note. Some bars rim the glass with crushed chocolate cookies for an extra-indulgent touch.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is not shaking long or hard enough. Cream needs vigorous shaking to become light and frothy. Under-shaken, the drink will be heavy and too sweet. Another mistake is using cheap, artificial-tasting liqueurs, which can make the drink taste like mouthwash. Finally, watch the proportions. Equal parts is classic, but if you find it too sweet, try slightly more cream, or add a few drops of saline to sharpen the flavors. Some modern bartenders also add a tiny pinch of salt or a dash of chocolate bitters for extra depth.

Food Pairings and Occasions

The Grasshopper is an after-dinner drink. Serve it with or instead of dessert, alongside chocolate brownies, chocolate cake, shortbread or vanilla ice cream. Its green color makes it a popular choice for Saint Patrick's Day, and its minty, festive flavor fits right in at Christmas parties too. It's also great for anyone who wants a gentle, lower-alcohol cocktail at the end of a meal. Explore our dessert cocktails for more sweet ideas.

Why People Love the Grasshopper

The Grasshopper is pure fun. It's nostalgic, it's beautiful, it tastes like a favorite candy, and it's easy to make with just three ingredients and a shaker. It also shows that well-made dessert cocktails can be balanced and delicious, not just sweet. For Difford's Guide's version, see their Grasshopper recipe.