Mint chocolate chip ice cream can be one of the more polarizing flavors, right up there with rum raisin, bubble gum, and cotton candy. (Hey, it’s not nearly as wacky as Bone Broth Ice Cream!)
But if you’ve been on Team MCC since childhood like me—or if you enjoy peppermint patties or those layered chocolate mints that are delivered with your Olive Garden bill (aka Andes)—then chances are high that you might enjoy a Grasshopper Cocktail once you’re 21+.
With its creamy texture and refreshing yet decadent flavor, we’re firm believers that this Grasshopper Cocktail recipe can double as dessert. Of course, we wouldn’t turn down a piece of Dark Chocolate Mint Bites or Mint Chocolate Chip Cake in addition to a Grasshopper to really drive home the mint chocolate chip deliciousness.
What Is a Grasshopper Cocktail?
The first mention of a “Grasshopper Cocktail” appears to be in William Boothby’s 1907 cocktail book, “The World’s Drinks and How to Mix Them.” It started out as a two-ingredient drink recipe, involving Crème de Menthe layered with Crème de Cacao. This Grasshopper Cocktail is credited to Harry O’Brien of San Francisco’s Palace Hotel.
It wasn’t until the 1950s until the Grasshopper Cocktail really jumped onto most Americans’ radars, however, when the vibrantly-hued and sweet sip gained acclaim as one of the go-to drink options at Midwestern supper clubs. In the more than seven decades since, the Grasshopper Cocktail has grown to become a favorite far beyond the boundaries of that region. Grasshopper Cocktails are especially fitting and festive during the winter holidays, for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and at retro or nostalgic dinner parties.
In addition to being able to double as dessert, we appreciate the fact that a Grasshopper Cocktail is fairly low in alcohol. True, it’s not as light as Hugo Spritz or Aperol Spritz, but compared to a Negroni or Old Fashioned, it’s a lower-proof cocktail.
Many classic Grasshopper Cocktail recipes today now include those two core Crèmes, plus one more creamy element such as heavy cream or ice cream. Our Test Kitchen’s 3-ingredient Grasshopper Cocktail recipe stays true to this original format, but we’re also pouring out some extra Grasshopper Cocktail Variations below.
Grasshopper Cocktail Ingredients
- Crème de menthe: Crème de menthe is minty-flavored, but it isn’t actually creamy. Instead, the “crème” in its name hints to the category of liqueur. Crème liqueurs are higher in sugar content than other liqueurs, such as the Triple Sec you might have on-hand for margaritas. Crème de menthe comes in green or white formulas. We suggest seeking out green crème de menthe for the eye-catching emerald hue.
- Crème de cacao: Also known as crème de cocoa, this liqueur packs a chocolate-flavored punch. It’s available in white or dark. We dig white crème de cacao as a Grasshopper Cocktail component so it doesn’t muddy up the green crème de menthe.
- Heavy cream: This makes the texture luxuriously velvety. Half-and-half or whole milk also works, or for a dairy-free alternative, try coconut milk, coconut cream, almond milk, or your favorite plant-based substitute.
For an optional garnish, consider dusting the top of each glass with grated:
- Fresh nutmeg
- Dark chocolate
- Andes Mints
Ingredients
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Ice cubes
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1 fluid ounce green creme de menthe
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1 fluid ounce white creme de cacao
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1 fluid ounce heavy cream or half-and-half
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Grated layered chocolate mint candy (such as Andes mint) or semisweet chocolate
Directions
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In a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice, combine créme de methe, créme de cacao, and cream. Cover and shake until very cold. Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Sprinkle surface with grated chocolate mint candy.
Grasshopper Cocktail Recipe Variations
- After Eight: Add ¾-ounce dark chocolate liqueur.
- Flying Grasshopper: Add 1 ounce plain vodka or vanilla vodka.
- Girl Scout Cookie Cocktail: Use 1 ounce peppermint schnapps instead of crème de menthe.
- Frozen Grasshopper: For a frozen grasshopper that will remind you of a boozy milkshake, omit the cream. Blend the crème de menthe and crème de cacao with 1 cup of vanilla or mint chocolate chip ice cream.
- Free-Spirited Grasshopper: For an alcohol-free twist, experiment with your preferred ratios of mint syrup (such as Torani), chocolate sauce or syrup, and heavy cream (or your desired substitute).
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 298 | Calories |
| 11g | Fat |
| 25g | Carbs |
| 1g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 1 | |
| Calories 298 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 10.9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat 6.9g | 34% |
| Cholesterol 33.7mg | 11% |
| Sodium 11.1mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 24.7g | 9% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 24.7g | |
| Protein 0.8g | 2% |
| Vitamin D 0.5mcg | 2% |
| Vitamin C 0.2mg | 0% |
| Calcium 20.6mg | 2% |
| Iron 0.1mg | 0% |
| Potassium 28.8mg | 1% |
| Fatty acids, total trans 0.4g | |
| Vitamin D 18.8IU | |
| Alanine 0g | |
| Arginine 0g | |
| Ash 0.2g | |
| Aspartic acid 0.1g | |
| Caffeine 0mg | |
| Carotene, alpha 0mcg | |
| Choline, total 5mg | |
| Copper, Cu 0mg | |
| Cystine 0g | |
| Energy 1246.5kJ | |
| Fluoride, F 21.1mcg | |
| Folate, total 1.2mcg | |
| Glutamic acid 0.2g | |
| Glycine 0g | |
| Histidine 0g | |
| Isoleucine 0g | |
| Leucine 0.1g | |
| Lysine 0g | |
| Methionine 0g | |
| Magnesium, Mg 2.4mg | |
| Manganese, Mn 0mg | |
| Niacin 0mg | |
| Phosphorus, P 17.9mg | |
| Pantothenic acid 0.1mg | |
| Phenylalanine 0g | |
| Proline 0.1g | |
| Retinol 120.7mcg | |
| Selenium, Se 1.1mcg | |
| Serine 0g | |
| Theobromine 0mg | |
| Threonine 0g | |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 0.3mg | |
| Tryptophan 0g | |
| Tyrosine 0g | |
| Valine 0.1g | |
| Vitamin A, IU 438.1IU | |
| Vitamin A, RAE 122.5mcg | |
| Vitamin B-12 0mcg | |
| Vitamin B-6 0mg | |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 1mcg | |
| Water 64.8g | |
| Zinc, Zn 0.1mg | |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.