Skip to main content

The grasshopper drink is a retro blast from the past — this is how to make it

You'll want to make this boozy, minty cocktail

Grasshopper
Kike Salazar N/Unsplash

To quote Jonathan Swift, “Everything old is new again.” This is true when it comes to fashion from the 90s, vinyl records, and, of course, cocktails. While we love a great contemporary cocktail (like the Penicillin), nothing beats the classics.

Recommended Videos

We enjoy sipping a well-made Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Margarita, or Mojito early and often. But sometimes, we want to imbibe a classic drink that doesn’t get as much acclaim as the aforementioned mixed drinks. Today, it’s the beloved Grasshopper’s turn.

What is a Grasshopper?

grasshopper cocktail
Brent Hofacker / Shutterstock

Well, a grasshopper is an insect, but that won’t help you very much when it comes to this cocktail as (luckily) the drink doesn’t contain any insect parts. It’s also a minty, chocolate, and fudge-filled ice cream.

If the latter is how you imagine the cocktail, you’re on the right path. This dessert-like, after-dinner drink tastes like a fresh, boozy mint. This is thanks to the addition of crème de menthe, Crème de cacao, and fresh cream. If you think a White Russian is indulgent, just wait until you try a Grasshopper.

When was the Grasshopper created?

Grasshopper
iStock

While many classic cocktails have a muddled (pun intended) or mysterious history, the Grasshopper doesn’t. This indulgent, sweet, minty, boozy dessert cocktail was created by a bartender and owner of New Orleans’ French Quarter bar, Tujague, for a cocktail competition back in 1918.

Like a lot of classic cocktails, it gained in popularity in the 50s and 60s before waning for decades. While the cocktail renaissance of the early aughts breathed new life into many classic cocktails, the Grasshopper wasn’t really included. Perhaps it’s the fact that it pretty much tastes like boozy melted ice cream. Regardless, it’s ripe for a comeback. Give it a kickstart by making this century-old drink in your home.

What you’ll need to make a Grasshopper

Grasshopper
iStock
  • 1 ounce of Crème de menthe
  • 1 ounce Crème de cacao
  • 1 ounce Fresh cream

The Grasshopper recipe steps

Grasshopper
iStock
  1. Add Crème de menthe, Crème de cacao, and fresh cream to an ice-filled cocktail shaker.
  2. Shake vigorously to combine.
  3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  4. Garnish with a mint leaf.

Bottom line

Mint leaves

Make no mistake, the Grasshopper isn’t an everyday cocktail. You can probably whip up a Manhattan or Old Fashioned every day and be perfectly happy. The Grasshopper, on the other hand, is more of a special occasion, dessert-type drink. It’s on par with the Mudslide, Espresso Martini, White Russian, Lemon Drop, and the Brandy Alexander.

Still, it doesn’t deserve to be among the forgotten mixed drinks lost to time. We implore you to purchase the ingredients to make it and mix it up for your friends and family. Who doesn’t love a cocktail that tastes like a combination of alcohol and melted mint ice cream, right?

Christopher Osburn
Christopher Osburn is a food and drinks writer located in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. He's been writing professional
How to use a milk frother: Simple tips and tricks to elevate your drinks
Here's how to use a milk frother with ease
Cappuccino

Once you've mastered brewing the perfect coffee at home, the next step in every home Barista's journey is to learn how to use a milk frother. You'll need frothed milk to enjoy specialty-type coffees from your kitchen, such as lattes and cappuccinos. At one point, I was intimated by the concept of frothing my milk, as it can sound more complicated than it is. Learning to use a milk frother is easy enough for coffee lovers of any skill level. Here are two of my favorite ways to froth milk for coffee at home, ideal for those who do not have an espresso maker with a steam wand attachment.
How to use a milk frother: Hand frothing

Using a handheld wand milk frother is one of the easiest methods for frothing milk at home. A handheld milk frother can be used in your mug and is an excellent option for those who don't have an espresso maker at home. Before I had an espresso machine with a steam wand at home, I found the handheld milk frother to be my go-to for frothing milk for coffee. I like this method because it requires minimal skill and clean-up (always a motivating factor when making coffee at home instead of ordering it out at a cafe).

Read more
How to make a latte: Ways to master the art of this creamy, indulgent drink
Put your own spin on this creamy espresso drink
Two lattes

A latte is the perfect, balanced coffee in terms of creaminess, with a light sweetness that doesn't overpower the underlying taste of espresso. I once found making a latte at home overwhelming -- as I'm no barista. Yet, mastering the art of making a latte at home is easier than I thought. While it's not quite as easy as making a drink without steamed milk, such as the Americano, it only takes a few rounds of trial and error to master.

The hardest part is ensuring the correct 3:1 ratio of steamed milk to espresso. In no time, you, too, can replace your daily coffee shop run by making a latte right in your kitchen. Here's what you need to know about mastering how to make a latte.
How to make a latte

Read more
How to make a cappuccino: A 5-step guide for beginners
Craft a smooth and balanced cappuccino at home
Cappuccino with a design in the foam

The balanced nature of a cappuccino, made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam, is what makes the drink my favorite espresso drink. Drinking a cappuccino feels like a good mix between indulgent but not too indulgent and creamy, like a latte.

The smooth, creamy espresso drink is a go-to order for when I don't want a black Americano, yet I feel like ordering something more sophisticated than a coffee with cream. I've loved to order a cappuccino for years, but I only recently started to explore how to make a cappuccino at home. Here's what you should learn to brew this classic favorite at home.
How to make a cappuccino

Read more