Grasshopper Cocktail

Grasshopper Cocktail Story

Equal parts crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and cream, the Grasshopper has been satisfying sweet tooths since the 1910s. Invented at Tujagues restaurant, established in New Orleans in 1856 and still operating today, owner Philibert Guichet earned the drink’s claim to fame as second place winner at the New York City cocktail competition in 1928. Some historical findings suggest, however, that this event occurred in 1919, while other findings point to judge Walter Winchell’s appearance at the competition as proof that it could not have occurred until after he started his journalistic career in 1920. Most interesting is that all of this took place during Prohibition, some stories claiming the Tujagues served the Grasshopper through the ratification of the 21st amendment. The Grasshopper’s cult-like status as a dessert drink has grown over the years, leading to a frozen version popular in Wisconsin supper clubs, where the drink is served blended with a scoop of ice cream.