After-dinner drinks, like the Grasshopper and the Stinger, are starting to make a comeback with new variations in a lot of bars in the country today. This growing trend only indicates one thing – creme de menthe drinks are here to stay. This mint-flavored liqueur is a must-have ingredient if you want to add a minty taste in your mixed drink recipe.
I got fixated with creme de menthe drinks when I tried a Grasshopper in one of the bars in the city. I like how the mint liqueur made the drink more vibrant and refreshing, so I tried to find other drink recipes which will use this same ingredient. The result of my research has offered me numerous options and here are the best minty drinks that you can create with creme de menthe at home.
The Absolut Chocolate Martini tastes exactly as you expect- very similar to a martini. Only, it’s made sweeter by chocolate and refreshing with a dash of creme de menthe. This is dominantly made with Absolut vodka so you better watch your alcohol intake.
To create this magnificent drink by Absolut, here are the ingredients:
- 2 ounces Absolut Vodka
- 1 ounce While Chocolate Liqueur
- 1 dash Creme De Menthe ( preferably white)
- 1 piece chocolate, for garnish
In the mixing glass of a Boston shaker, fill with a handful of ice cubes. Next, add Absolut vodka, white chocolate liqueur, and creme de menthe.
Close the shaker with the larger tumbler, give it a whack and shake vigorously. Strain the chocolate martini into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a piece of chocolate.
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2. Stinger
Via us.thebar.com
The classic Stinger is very easy to create with just two ingredients; the brandy, and creme de menthe. But don’t be fooled by its simplicity because it can still kick a punch. If you’re feeling fancy, use a Cognac, but if you’re feeling otherwise, use any type of brandy you can find in your liqueur bar.
Here is a list of the ingredients:
- 2 ounces brandy
- 3/4 ounce creme de menthe (preferably white)
- 1 sprig mint leaf, for garnish
To mix this drink, fill your Boston shaker with ice cubes, brandy, and creme de menthe. Shake well and transfer the contents into a chilled cocktail glass. Serve this drink with a mint leaf as garnish.
Food Viva suggests using maraschino cherry as a garnish if you want to serve it during the Christmas holidays. If you would like to transform this drink into a Green Hornet Cocktail, substitute the white creme de menthe with its green variety.
3. Grasshopper
One of the classic drinks that is making a comeback in the cocktail scene is the Grasshopper. This drink tastes similarly to a chocolate mint milkshake. So if you want a light drink after dinner, then the grasshopper is definitely your great choice.
Here are the ingredients that you may need:
- 1 part white creme de cacao
- 1 part creme de menthe (preferably green)1 part light cream
- 1 sprig of mint, for garnish
If you can’t find any light cream available in your supermarkets, use light whipping cream or heavy cream. Mix That Drink recommends using a half and half, a mixture of milk and cream, if you like to go low-fat. Personally, I use the Land O Lakes Half & Half because it tastes as good as light cream.
To make this drink, add all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake. Strain the contents into a chilled cocktail glass and serve. If you want to present this decoratively, garnish it with a sprig of mint.
4. Black Devil Shooter
Via hgtv.com
If you like to take it strong, get a glass of Black Devil Shooter which is equally made of dark rum and creme de menthe. Dark rum offers a heavy body and dark color to the mix. Meanwhile, the creme de menthe subdues the taste of the dark rum and lends a minty taste to the drink.
Here are the ingredients of this recipe:
- 1/2 part dark rum
- 1/2 part creme de menthe
To make this recipe, just add ingredients in a cocktail plus some ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled glass of your choice.
5. American Beauty
Via vinepair.com
Another brandy-based drink that you can go with creme de menthe is the American Beauty. Actually, the name of this drink is in comparison to the American Beauty rose due to its nice blush color. The grenadine included in this recipe lends the sweetness and tartness to the mix while the Port wine lends richness to the drink.
Here are the ingredients that you need:
- 1 ounce brandy
- 1 ounce dry vermouth
- 1 ounce grenadine
- 1 dash white creme de menthe
- 1 dash Port wine
- 1 mint sprig, for garnish
First, fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes, then add brandy, creme de menthe, dry vermouth, and grenadine. Shake well to mix all ingredients and strain contents to a chilled glass of your choice, preferably a cocktail glass. Garnish with a mint sprig to serve.
6. Fairy Liquid
The Fairy Liquid cocktail packs a punch behinds its citrus and sweet flavors. With its Pernod Absinthe ingredient, this cocktail drink is elevated to any occasion. Together with the lime juice and lemonade, this simply packs a lot of tart and citrus taste.
To make this drink, here are the ingredients:
- 1 part Pernod Absinthe
- 1 part Creme de Menthe
- 1 dash Blue Curacao
- 1 dash fresh lime juice
- Lemonade
In an ice-filled glass, pour the ingredients with lemonade at the last. Stir and enjoy while still cold. If you want, you can garnish it with a lemon wedge for aesthetic purposes.
7. Peppermint Cream
The Peppermint Cream is a creamy and sweet cocktail that uses green creme de menthe as a mint flavor. Don’t let its milkshake character fool you because this kicks a subtle punch with its Irish cream ingredient. I prefer to use the Bailey’s Irish cream because of its distilled Irish Whiskey component.
To get started, here are the ingredients:
- 3/4 part green cream de menthe
- 3/4 part white creme de cacao
- 3/4 part hazelnut liqueur
- 3/4 part Irish cream
- 1 part whipped cream
- Kiwi, for garnish
In your cocktail shaker, fill it halfway with ice cubes, then pour the creme de menthe, white creme de cacao, hazelnut liqueur, and Irish cream. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Top it with whipped cream and garnish it with kiwi.
8. Ginger Mint
Another great way to spice up your creme de menthe drinks is to add ginger ale. Adapted from the recipe by Alchemy Vodka in Bar None Drinks, mix Alchemy Ginger Infusion Vodka with creme de menthe and ginger ale. This gives a dominant ginger flavor that will leave you refreshed after a heavy meal.
Here are the ingredients that you need:
- 1 1/2 parts Vodka ( I prefer the Alchemy Ginger Infusion Vodka)
- 1/2 part creme de menthe
Ginger, for topping1 mint sprig, for garnishTo make this, just pour vodka and creme de menthe into an ice-cube filled glass. Top with ginger ale until full and garnish with a mint sprig.
9. Port and Starboard
The Port and Starboard is a simple recipe that you can do even without mixing. All you will need are grenadine syrup and green creme de menthe. Grenadine lends the sweet-tart flavor in your drink while the creme de menthe balances it with its minty flavor. Together, they pack a light drink that bursts a nice sweet minty goodness in your palate.
To get you started, prepare these ingredients:
- 1/2 part grenadine syrup
- 1/2 part green creme de menthe
In a chilled cocktail glass, pour the grenadine syrup and creme de menthe. You should have the creme de menthe floating above the grenadine. Drink without mixing.
10. Overthrow
Another refreshing cocktail that you can make with creme de menthe is to add it together with a lemon-lime soda, lemon juice, and gin. This drink is dominantly made with lemon-lime soda and creme de menthe, so you can expect it to be fizzy and minty. With a spirit-flavored gin, you can be certain that this drink totally gives a subtle punch.
Here are the ingredients that you’ll need:
- 1 part gin
- 2 parts creme de menthe
- 1/2 part lemon juice
- 2 parts lemon-lime soda
In a cocktail shaker, fill it with ice, gin, creme de menthe, and fresh lemon juice. Shake to mix well and strain into a chilled highball glass. Finish it up with a lemon-lime soda on the top.
Try Your Own Creme de Menthe Drinks Today!
Did you have fun going through the list of mixed drinks with creme de menthe? This list is sure to widen your drink repertoire and you surely will be able to whip up any drink suitable for all occasions with this list. Now, you can prepare other recipes that goes beyond a Stinger and a Grasshopper.
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