Grasshopper Drink Recipe: Classic Minty Dessert Cocktail 

A grasshopper is a sweet, mint-flavored dessert cocktail from New Orleans made with equal parts green crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and cream. Shaken over ice and strained into a chilled glass, it tastes like a creamy after-dinner mint minty, chocolatey, and smooth.

Few cocktails feel as much like dessert as the grasshopper. This vibrant green drink has been charming sweet-toothed drinkers since 1918, and it's still one of the easiest classic cocktails to master at home.

How Do You Make a Grasshopper Cocktail?

To make a classic grasshopper, shake 1 ounce green crème de menthe, 1 ounce white crème de cacao, and 1 ounce cream with ice for about 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass, garnish with chocolate shavings or mint, and serve straight up.

Recipe at a glance

What Is a Grasshopper Drink?

A grasshopper is a sweet, mint-flavored, after-dinner cocktail named for its bright green color, which comes from crème de menthe. It combines equal parts green crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and cream. The result is a creamy dessert drink that tastes like a chocolate-mint candy in a glass.

The drink was reportedly invented in 1918 by Philip Guichet, owner of Tujague's bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. He created it for a cocktail competition in New York City, where it took second place. It went on to become a Southern favorite through the 1950s and 1960s, and today it's an official International Bartenders Association (IBA) cocktail.

What Ingredients Do You Need for the Best Grasshopper Recipe?

The classic grasshopper needs just three ingredients in equal parts. Quality matters here since the recipe is so simple, each ingredient shapes the final taste.

• Green crème de menthe (1 oz): A sweet mint liqueur. The green version gives the drink its signature color.
• White crème de cacao (1 oz): A chocolate-flavored liqueur. Choose white (light) so it doesn't muddy the green.
• Heavy cream (1 oz): Adds body and that milkshake-like smoothness.
• Garnish (optional): Chocolate shavings, a mint sprig, or a chocolate biscuit stick.

Brand tip: De Kuyper is a reliable, widely available choice for both liqueurs, but any quality brand works.

Substitution ideas:

How Do You Make the Classic Grasshopper Cocktail Recipe?

The classic grasshopper cocktail recipe takes five minutes and needs only a shaker. Follow these steps:

1. Chill your glass. Place a coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer, or fill it with ice water while you mix.
2. Add ingredients. Pour 1 oz green crème de menthe, 1 oz white crème de cacao, and 1 oz heavy cream into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
3. Shake well. Shake briskly for about 15 seconds to chill the drink and blend the cream.
4. Strain. Empty your chilled glass and strain the cocktail into it.
5. Garnish and serve. Top with chocolate shavings or a mint leaf. Serve straight up.

Pro tip: For extra flair, drizzle chocolate syrup inside the glass before pouring. It looks beautiful and adds a chocolate kick.

What Makes the Best Grasshopper Recipe?

The best grasshopper balances mint, chocolate, and cream so no single flavor dominates. Use equal parts, shake hard enough to fully incorporate the cream, and serve it ice-cold in a chilled glass. Fresh cream and quality liqueurs make the difference between a great drink and a syrupy one.

Small details raise the bar:

• Shake, don't stir. Shaking emulsifies the cream for a frothy, smooth texture.
• Chill everything. A warm drink turns thin and cloying fast.
• Adjust sweetness. If it's too sweet, add a splash more cream to soften it.

How Do You Make a Frozen Grasshopper Drink Recipe?

A frozen grasshopper swaps cream for ice cream and blends everything into a thick, scoopable dessert. It's a crowd-pleaser for holidays and parties, and you can make it in advance and freeze it for weeks.

Frozen grasshopper at a glance

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup green crème de menthe
• 1/3 cup white crème de cacao (crème de cocoa)
• 10–15 ice cubes
• 4 cups vanilla ice cream (about two pints)
• Extra dash of crème de menthe, to serve

Instructions:

1. Add the liqueurs, ice, and half the ice cream to a blender. Pulse until well blended.
2. Add the remaining ice cream slowly and blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour or scoop into four glasses.
4. Top with a small dash of crème de menthe. Add spoons and chocolate biscuit sticks if you like.

How Do You Make a Grasshopper Drink Recipe With Ice Cream?

The ice cream grasshopper is essentially the frozen version an adult milkshake. For a single serving, blend 1 oz green crème de menthe, 1 oz white crème de cacao, and 2 scoops of vanilla or mint chocolate chip ice cream until smooth. Serve in a tall glass with a spoon and straw.

Flavor twists worth trying:

• Use mint chocolate chip ice cream for a "grasshopper milkshake" with cookie bits.
• Garnish with a broken cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie.
• Add a splash of milk if the blend is too thick.

What Are the Best Grasshopper Cocktail Variations?

The grasshopper is easy to riff on. These popular variations change the spirit, texture, or garnish:

How Do You Make a Non-Alcoholic Grasshopper Mocktail?

To make a mocktail grasshopper, blend 2 scoops of vanilla or mint chocolate chip ice cream, 1/2 cup milk, a few drops of peppermint extract, and a spoonful of chocolate syrup until smooth. It captures the same mint-chocolate flavor without alcohol perfect for kids or non-drinkers at holiday gatherings.

What Are the Most Common Grasshopper Mistakes to Avoid?

Even a three-ingredient drink can go wrong. Watch for these:

• Uneven ratios: Too much crème de menthe makes it overpoweringly minty. Stick to equal parts.
• Under-shaking: The cream won't fully blend, leaving a thin, separated drink.
• Warm glass: A room-temperature glass melts the chill fast. Always pre-chill.
• Dark crème de cacao: It works, but it dulls the bright green color.
• Low-quality cream: Skim milk thins the texture. Heavy cream gives the best body.

What Foods and Occasions Pair Best With a Grasshopper?

The grasshopper is a dessert cocktail, so it shines after dinner and alongside sweet, chocolatey treats. It's a natural fit for holidays, St. Patrick's Day, and dinner parties thanks to its festive green color and rich, indulgent flavor.

Great pairings include:

• Brownies, chocolate cake, or flourless chocolate torte
• Mint or chocolate ice cream
• A cheese-and-chocolate dessert board
• Simply on its own as a nightcap

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in a grasshopper cocktail?
A classic shaken grasshopper has roughly 410 calories, with about 24g of sugar and 18g of fat. The frozen ice cream version is similar at around 414 calories per serving.

What does a grasshopper drink taste like?
It tastes like a creamy chocolate-mint candy or an adult milkshake sweet, cool, and minty up front with a smooth chocolate finish from the crème de cacao.

Can I make a grasshopper ahead of time?
The shaken version is best made fresh. The frozen ice cream version, however, can be made in advance and stored in the freezer for up to three months.

How long does a frozen grasshopper last?
Stored in a sealed container in the freezer, a frozen grasshopper keeps for up to three months, making it ideal for batch-prepping before the holidays.

What's the difference between white and green crème de menthe?
They taste the same. Green crème de menthe gives the drink its signature color, while white keeps it pale. Both work in the recipe.

Is a grasshopper a strong drink?
No. Crème de menthe and crème de cacao are low-proof liqueurs, and the cream softens them further. It's a mild, dessert-style cocktail rather than a strong one.

Can I make a grasshopper without a blender?
Yes. The classic version only needs a cocktail shaker and ice. A blender is only required for the frozen ice cream variation.

How do I make a dairy-free grasshopper?
Swap the cream or ice cream for a plant-based alternative like coconut cream or vegan vanilla ice cream. The flavor stays close to the original.

What glass should I serve a grasshopper in?
A chilled coupe or cocktail glass is traditional for the shaken version. Serve frozen or ice cream versions in a tall glass or rocks glass with a spoon.

Where did the grasshopper cocktail come from?
It was created around 1918 by Philip Guichet at Tujague's bar in New Orleans and gained national popularity throughout the American South during the 1950s and 1960s.