Grasshopper Cocktail

Chocolate Mint Lovers Unite! This boozy Grasshopper Cocktail is a vintage after dinner ice cream drink that never goes out of style. Crème de Menthe and Crème de Cacao blended with vanilla ice cream and served with whipped cream. It’s an adult dessert in a glass.

The Grasshopper Cocktail is a classic after dinner adult beverage. Originally invented in New Orleans, where so many great cocktails were invented, it possesses southern charm. Using crème de menthe and crème de cacao means it is pretty sweet and easy to forget there is alcohol involved. 

When I was a kid, I remember my parents enjoying Grasshopper Cocktails, along with Pink Squirrel Cocktails. My mom would always let me have a sip, (it was the 70’s and people weren’t so uptight back then. hahaha!) 

I would always ask for another and get turned away. It was hard to understand why they got to enjoy that chocolate mint ice cream drink, and my brother and I were left with a sip and a sad face. 

 

What does a grasshopper cocktail taste like?

With the minty breathiness of the crème de menthe and the chocolate richness of crème de cacao, expect a drinkable adult version of a peppermint patty. You know how well chocolate and mint go together right? Well, imagine if you add some alcohol to that. This is only for the big kids, as in adults of legal drinking age only. But it creates the same enthusiasm as any kid in a candy store might feel. 

Even the color brings a smile, depending on what crème de menthe you use. Such a lovely shade of green!

 

Making a Grasshopper Cocktail with ice cream

My version of the grasshopper drink uses ice cream, which is known as the Midwestern style grasshopper. It is like a milkshake or malt, an after dinner drink that also serves as dessert.

So, let’s just say these go down pretty easy. So, you will want to be sure to pace yourself.

You could do it with chocolate ice cream too by the way. But it wouldn’t have anywhere near that fun color. Quite the opposite in fact. But it would still taste delicious. 

 

Using cream vs using ice cream for Grasshopper cocktails

My version of the grasshopper is close to being a milkshake in terms of thickness. However, some variations add cream and blend in blender crushed ice instead. Either way, the taste will be the same, just the consistency will differ. 

 

How to make a Grasshopper Cocktail

You’ll need a blender, and these grasshopper cocktail ingredients: vanilla ice cream, crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and for serving, some chocolate syrup and whipped cream. The last two items are optional, but they make them so much more festive in my opinion!

 

To your blender add vanilla ice cream, crème de menthe (I prefer to use the green one to get that pretty green color) and crème de cacao.

 

Blend until combined and the mixture is similar in consistency to a malt or milkshake.

 

Pour into a glass and serve.  

 

We love to top them with whipped cream! Add some chocolate curls or dust with cocoa powder if desired. 

 

To get that nice chocolate drip to the glass, like shown here, melt some chocolate chips in your microwave. Turn the glass upside down, and dunk into the melted chocolate. 

Turn the glass right side up again, and let the chocolate drip. It will harden to the glass and give it that beautiful chocolate rim. 

 

Love them? Pin them!

I bet you can’t wait to try these! Don’t forget where you found them!! Pin them to your favorite Pinterest recipe board and find them easily when you want to make them!

 

What liqueurs are best for a Grasshopper cocktail recipe?

Although crème de menthe and crème de cacao are both favored, there are a variety of versions of those on the market. If you want the green color though, you have to get a crème de menthe that has coloring added. Otherwise, if you want the color using a clear crème de menthe, you would have to add food coloring. 

Can I use chocolate liqueur instead of crème de cacao?

For substitutions, you can use chocolate liqueur for example, rather than crème de cacao. The liqueur is sweeter, but if you don’t mind that, then it works fine. Also, peppermint schnapps works instead of crème de menthe, but again, that is actually a sweeter liqueur, so you will want to keep that in mind.

 

Variations on the Grasshopper

The grasshopper comes in a few variations. If you substitute vodka for the cream, then that is called a “Flying Grasshopper.” That makes sense. When you use vanilla or mint chocolate chip ice cream then that is called a “Frozen Grasshopper”. Which also makes sense. Using peppermint schnapps instead of crème de menthe is called a “Girl Scout Cookie”. Not sure it makes sense, but it will get a double take. 

The grasshopper chocolate mint idea has long been used in all sorts of recipes, from Grasshopper Brownies to the delicious Grasshopper Pie Recipe.

 

Non-alcoholic grasshopper

For a mocktail version of a grasshopper cocktail, you leave out the creme de menthe and creme de cacao. Replace those with peppermint extract and white chocolate cocoa powder. Mix about a teaspoon of the peppermint extract and a packet of cocoa then blend with a few scoops of mint ice cream. If the ice cream is colored green then it looks pretty similar. 

Why didn’t my parents ever tell me this??

 

More adult beverages to check out

If you like this Grasshopper mixed drink recipe,  but want to add to your repertoire of tasty adult beverages, then I’m happy to share a few of my favorites.

The Pink Squirrel Cocktail – (pictured above) is a retro cocktail is made with vanilla ice cream, Crème de Cacao and Crème de Almond, garnished with a Maraschino cherry and whipped cream.

 

 

The Grown Up Orange Julius Cocktail is reminiscent of that favorite childhood treat, kicked up a notch with some vanilla vodka.

 

Or how about a White Russian Cocktail? Kahlua, Vodka and cream in an Old Fashioned glass filled with ice.

 

Of course, you can never go wrong with a “Dirty Bird.” A dirty Vodka Martini made with Grey Goose and Blue Cheese stuffed olives. 

See ALL of my Cocktail Recipes

 

Let’s get to the BEST Grasshopper Recipe!  Cheers!