This Grasshopper drink recipe turns mint and chocolate liqueurs into a creamy dessert cocktail that’s a total crowd pleaser! Here are my expert tips for making this mint green after-dinner drink.
As a forever lover of mint chocolate chip ice cream, it’s no surprise that I’m drawn to the Grasshopper drink! This pale green classic cocktail dates back to 1918, but it’s still popular today.
The combination of crème de menthe and crème de cacao make this incredibly smooth, creamy drink that tastes more like dessert than a cocktail: which is exactly the point! It’s one of my favorite sweet alcoholic drinks and it’s very simple to whip up at home.
What Makes a Grasshopper Special?
The Grasshopper cocktail is an after dinner drink starring two liqueurs: creme de menthe and creme de cacao. It was invented in New Orleans in 1918 by the owner of the bar Tujague’s, or so the story goes.
According to Tujague’s, Philip Guichet invented it for a cocktail competition in New York City, where it got second place. He brought it back to his bar and Tujague’s has been serving it ever since.
Essential Ingredients
The Grasshopper became so popular that it made the list of the International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning that it has an “official” definition. There’s also a variation of the Grasshopper with ice cream, which is more like a milkshake. The ingredients in a classic Grasshopper cocktail are:
- Crème de menthe: The Grasshopper is the main reason to buy this liqueur, though you’ll use it occasionally in other drinks like the Stinger Cocktail. It’s a bright green liqueur that was invented in the 1880s and contains no actual cream: it’s alcohol infused with peppermint. The flavor is intensely minty, similar to peppermint schnapps but more refined and balanced. You want the green variety for a Grasshopper.
- Crème de cacao: This chocolate liqueur is a little more versatile: it has a smooth milk chocolate flavor with vanilla notes. Beyond Grasshoppers, you can use crème de cacao in Chocolate Martinis, Brandy Alexanders, and Mudslides.
- Heavy cream: Cream makes the silky texture of this drink. Like in a White Russian, you can substitute half and half, whole milk, or even full-fat coconut milk or oat milk for a non-dairy version.
The Frozen Grasshopper Variation
If the word Grasshopper makes you think of a boozy milkshake, it’s actually a spin-off called the Frozen Grasshopper. The Frozen Grasshopper was invented in Wisconsin and was often served at Wisconsin supper clubs.
The Wisconsin style of drinking is also what brought us the Brandy Old Fashioned, Pink Squirrel, and Brandy Alexander: it’s all about fun, sweet drinks that are big on dairy!
To make a frozen version, use 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream instead of cream and blend until smooth. It tastes like a mint chocolate milkshake with a boozy kick!
Serving Suggestions and Presentation Ideas
Serve your Grasshopper in a chilled martini glass or coupe, garnished with shaved dark chocolate or a light dusting of cocoa powder. You can also rim the glass with chocolate syrup or make a swirl inside (like this Chocolate Martini).
This drink works well as an after dinner dessert drink. It pairs well with chocolate desserts like flourless chocolate cake, brownies, or even chocolate covered strawberries. It’s also a fun green drink for St. Patrick’s Day with its bright color (though of course there’s nothing Irish about it).
For a fun twist during the holidays, you can serve mini Grasshoppers (a half recipe) in cordial or host glasses as a dessert cocktail flight, along with Spiked Hot Chocolate or Irish Coffee.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
A Grasshopper cocktail is best served immediately after shaking. The cream can separate if it sits too long, and if you make the frozen version it melts quickly.
To batch this drink, you can shake up 2 to 3 cocktails at once (around 12-16 ounces total liquid) in a 28-ounce cocktail shaker. Make sure to never fill it more than two-thirds full.
The liqueurs themselves are shelf-stable and will keep for 2 to 3 years in your liquor cabinet. Store them in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
It would have the same flavor, but lose the beautiful green color! It will taste identical, but you’ll lose that iconic emerald appearance (you could add a drop of food coloring if you like).
A traditional Grasshopper uses cream and equal parts of two liqueurs, creating a rich, dessert-like drink. Mint chocolate martinis usually use vodka as a base with smaller amounts of liqueurs, making them less sweet and more spirit-forward.
The Grasshopper is inherently a sweet cocktail. If you want something less sweet with mint and chocolate flavors, you could try reducing the liqueur proportions to 1 ounce each and adding 1 ounce of vodka: but then it’s not a true Grasshopper!
I don’t recommend pre-mixing Grasshoppers because the cream can separate. Instead, measure all your liqueurs into separate bottles and have a shaker station ready. You can batch shake 2 to 3 cocktails at a time.
Crème de cacao has a specific flavor profile that’s hard to replicate exactly. If you plan to make Grasshoppers more than once, the bottle is worth purchasing.
Grasshopper Cocktail
Pin Recipe
Print RecipeEveryone loves this Grasshopper drink recipe! The classic mint chocolate dessert cocktail pairs crème de menthe and chocolate liqueur for a creamy, smooth sip.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces* crème de cacao
- 1 ½ ounces crème de menthe
- 2 ounces heavy cream**
- For the garnish: Shaved chocolate (optional)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add 2 handfuls of ice and shake until cold.
- Strain into a cocktail glass. Top with shaved chocolate if desired.
Notes
*1 ounces = 2 tablespoons
**Want to make a frozen grasshopper? Substitute 2 scoops vanilla ice cream for the heavy cream and blend in a blender. To make 4 servings, use ¾ cup each of creme de cacao and creme de menthe, and 8 scoops ice cream.
More Sweet Cocktails to Try
from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/chIGMup
0 comments:
Post a Comment