Grasshopper (cocktail)

A Grasshopper is a sweet, mint-flavored, after-dinner drink named for its green color, which comes from crème de menthe. Tujague's, a bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, claims its owner Philip Guichet invented the drink in 1918.[1] The drink gained popularity during the 1950s and 1960s throughout the American South.

Grasshopper
IBA official cocktail
TypeCocktail
Base spirit
ServedStraight up: chilled, without ice
Standard drinkware
Cocktail glass
IBA specified
ingredients†
PreparationPour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake briskly and then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Commonly servedAfter dinner
Grasshopper recipe at International Bartenders Association

Composition

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A typical Grasshopper cocktail is equal parts green crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and cream shaken with ice and strained into a chilled cocktail glass.[2]

Variations

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A "Vodka" or "Flying" Grasshopper replaces the cream with vodka.[3]

A "Frozen" Grasshopper adds mint ice cream to create a more dessert-like drink.[4]

An "After Eight" adds a layer of dark chocolate liqueur to the crème de menthe, crème de cacao and cream.[5]

In the North Central United States, especially Wisconsin, Grasshoppers are blended drinks, with ice cream substituted for cream.[6] A related variation is the "Grasshopper milkshake", which contains mint chocolate chip ice cream, milk, and crème de menthe. This is blended and served in a tall glass decorated with a miniature or broken cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie.[7]

A "Girl Scout Cookie" substitutes peppermint schnapps for crème de menthe.[8]

In celebrating the 85th anniversary of the snack food, Hostess released a cooking book of recipes using Twinkies. One of the recipes is called a "Twinkie Grasshopper"[9] which is akin to a milkshake.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Land of Forgotten Cocktails". August 1, 2008. Archived from the original on December 7, 2009. Retrieved March 27, 2009.
  2. ^ "Flying Grasshopper recipe". Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  3. ^ "Flying Grasshopper recipe". Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  4. ^ "Frozen Grasshopper recipe". Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  5. ^ "After Eight". Archived from the original on July 27, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  6. ^ "PUNCH | Blended Grasshopper". Punch. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  7. ^ "Grasshopper Milkshake". Archived from the original on May 19, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  8. ^ "Girl Scout Cookie Recipe". Chowhound. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  9. ^ "Recipe: Twinkie Grasshopper". WSJ. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
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