Grasshopper Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/14/23
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Grasshopper cocktail

The Spruce

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The grasshopper is a delicious chocolate-mint cocktail that has delighted drinkers for longer than you may think. It tastes as good as a milkshake but it's not a modern martini. This recipe has been around since about 1919 when it was first served at New Orlean's historic Tujague's Restaurant. That makes the grasshopper one of the oldest dessert cocktails and it remains an indulgent favorite today.

This delicious green martini is light on the alcohol and heavy on the sweet flavor. While the three ingredients are traditionally poured equally, you can experiment with the ratio to suit your personal taste. If you feel like a little extra chocolate, add more crème de cacao. Is mint on your mind tonight? Simply ramp up the crème de menthe. It's a brilliant and easy drink that's a fantastic foundation for other tasty libations, too.

"The Grasshopper is one of my all-time favorite cocktails. By applying small tweaks and experienced sensibilities the drink can become even more adult and delicious. This recipe is an amazing starting point, but do absolutely take advantage of some of the tips for success. My favorite is sneaking in a bit of cognac and salt." —Sean Johnson

Grasshopper Cocktail Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Grasshopper cocktail
    The Spruce 

  2. If you'd like to rim the glass, wet it with a quick dip in a shallow dish filled with either liqueur from the recipe. While still holding the glass upside down, roll the rim in a dish of grated chocolate, cocoa powder, or finely crushed graham crackers.

    Rim the glass
    The Spruce

  3. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes, pour the cream, white crème de cacao, and green crème de menthe.

    Pour ingredients into shaker
    The Spruce 

  4. Shake well.

    Shake cocktail
    The Spruce

  5. Strain into the prepared cocktail glass. Serve and enjoy.

    Strain into a chilled glass
    The Spruce

Tips

  • The suggestion of white and green liqueurs creates a pale green cocktail. However, if you use either brown crème de cacao or white crème de menthe, the drink will not have its signature color.
  • Chilling the glass makes the grasshopper even smoother and will keep it cold longer. Start off with a frosted glass (place it in the freezer for half an hour or so) then return it to the freezer after rimming for a last-minute chill.

Recipe Variations

  • One popular variation you'll find from Tujague's includes a brandy float on top of the creamy green cocktail.
  • Shortly after the grasshopper spread throughout the country, Bryant's Cocktail Lounge in Milwaukee started using ice cream rather than heavy cream.
  • Give the grasshopper an extra kick by adding vodka. Pour the same 3/4 ounce as the other ingredients to maintain a balance of flavor.
  • You can also add a flavored vodka into the mix. There are many great options to choose from; espresso vodkas, whipped cream, and other dessert vodkas are good choices. Chocolate vodka will double up on the cocoa flavor.
  • The grasshopper shooter is everything that's great about the original grasshopper in a tasty little party shot.
  • The peppermint patty uses a different combination of liquors to get the same mint-chocolate taste. It's typically served on the rocks and there's a hot chocolate version, too.
  • If you have RumChata in your bar, try the mint chocochata martini. The irresistible taste of creamy chocolate and mint remains for an equally delicious cocktail.
  • In the holiday hopper recipe, you'll find a surprising twist with an extra layer of flavor that's quite interesting.

How Strong Is the Grasshopper?

The grasshopper is a fantastic low-proof cocktail, making it a yummy casual drink that shouldn't leave you feeling tipsy. If you choose 40-proof liqueurs, it weighs in with an alcohol content of just 13 percent ABV (26 proof). That's equivalent to the average glass of wine.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
223 Calories
8g Fat
18g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 223
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 25mg 8%
Sodium 7mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 7%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 15mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 22mg 0%
*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.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)