Flying Grasshopper Cocktail

A unique drink, the Flying Grasshopper Cocktail combines just three ingredients to make one of the most loved dessert flavours – mint chocolate! Be careful; this cocktail goes down just a little to easy!

A typical Flying Grasshopper Cocktail consists of equal parts green crème de menthe and white crème de cacao. Those are shaken with ice and stained into a chilled cocktail glass. This version incorporates vodka into the mix too. Because, why not?

This idea that I had to incorporate some cocktails into the beverage section of my blog has been quite the learning experience! It has forced me to read about liqueurs and the art of mixology. I have learned how each liqueur is made, where it originated, and why we use it the way we do.

My favourite part, other than tasting these delicious cocktails, is learning the history. I absolutely love learning the history behind a recipe! This is what I learned about the Flying Grasshopper.

THE FLYING GRASSHOPPER COCKTAIL

It is considered to be a sweet, mint-flavored, after-dinner drink. The name of the drink derives from its green colour. That deep green comes solely from the crème de menthe. My research led me to the following. A bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans, called Tujague’s, claims the drink was invented in 1918 by its owner, Philip Guichet. The drink gained popularity during the 1950s and 1960s throughout the south.

Remember when I said that I used vodka along with the creme de menthe and the creme de cacao? That was in place of cream. Yes, the original drink used a splash of cream. Eventually, vodka replaced the cream in most popular, modern-day mixes.

VARIATIONS

Just like most cocktails, the Flying Grasshopper has many variations. For example, you can make a frozen version by adding mint ice cream. This creates more of a dessert than a drink. There’s another version called the After Eight. Do you know the After Eight chocolate bar? It’s John.e’s absolute favourite chocolate. I should make a version of this for him! The After Eight version adds a layer of dark chocolate liqueur to the crème de menthe, crème de cacao and vodka.

In the Wisconsin area, grasshoppers are blended drinks, with ice cream substituted for cream. A closely related version of this is the Grasshopper Milkshake. It contains mint chocolate chip ice cream, milk, and crème de menthe. This is blended and served in a tall glass decorated with a crushed cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, such as Oreos.

There is also a variation called the Girl Scout Cookie Cocktail. This one substitutes peppermint schnapps for crème de menthe. So many options! So far, this was John.e’s favourite cocktail. He absolutely loves the combination of chocolate and mint.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS COCKTAIL:

• Vodka – Vodka is a clear, unaged spirit produced using any ingredient that has fermentable sugars such as rye, barley, or wheat.  It can also be made with potatoes, grapes, or beets too.  In its purest form, Vodka is colourless, odourless, and flavourless.  But, there are many variations, most commonly vodkas infused with citrus or berries.
• Crème de Cocoa – A favourite ingredient in many dessert-style cocktails.  With sweet cocoa aromas, and a rich, sweet chocolate flavour, this liqueur is available in both clear and a deep brown.
• Crème de Menthe – With its cool mint aromas and flavours, Crème de Menthe is both delicious and refreshing. It is available in a dark green colour or a clear option. 

HOW TO MAKE A FLYING GRASSHOPPER COCKTAIL:

Add the vodka, crème de menthe, and crème de cocao to a cocktail shaker. Cover the liquid with ice. Shake for 30 seconds and strain the mix into a chilled cocktail glass. Serve immediately.

Unlike most cocktails, there is no garnish needed for this one! Skip the citrus twists, the olives, the cherries, etc. This one is gorgeous just the way it is!

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