Grinch Cocktail Recipe
Grinch Cocktail Recipe

Grinch

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Cocktail History

The Grinch is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Jacy Topps, a New York City-based food writer and recipe developer for Wine Enthusiast. Drawing inspiration from viral holiday drinks on TikTok, this recipe captures the bright green hue of the iconic Christmas villain thanks to its main ingredient, Midori. This melon-flavored liqueur is combines with sparkling wine for effervescence, pineapple juice for sweetness, vodka for an extra kick, and a splash of lime juice to balance the flavors with a hint of tartness. The result is a refreshing and visually striking cocktail that’s perfect for holiday parties or simply to bring a bit of whimsical cheer to the season.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Melon Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with cantaloupe, sugar, alcohol, and water. I used MIDORI Melon Liqueur.

Sparkling Wine: This is a type of wine made with white or red grapes and infused with carbon dioxide. I used Villa Bellezza Winery Brillante.

Pineapple Juice: This is the sweet, tangy liquid extracted from the flesh of pineapples. I used fresh pineapple juice.

Vodka: This is a spirit made with grains, vegetables or fruits, and alcohol. I used Chopin Potato Vodka.

Lime Juice: This is the tangy liquid extracted from the flesh of limes. I used fresh lime juice.

Cherry: This is a fruit that has been soaked in rich syrup.

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.

Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker consisting of a metal tin and a glass or metal mixing glass that’s used for shaking and blending ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a metal strainer with a spring around its edge that’s used to filter out ice and solids when pouring the cocktail into a glass. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.

Chef’s Knife: This is a versatile, multipurpose kitchen knife with a broad, sharp blade that’s used for chopping, slicing, and dicing. I used the OXO Good Grips 8-Inch Chef’s Knife.

Paring Knife: This is a small, sharp kitchen knife with a narrow blade that’s used for peeling, trimming, and garnishing. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.

Pineapple Corer: This is a kitchen tool that’s used to remove the core and slice the flesh of a pineapple into rings or chunks. I used the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer.

Juicer: This is a handheld tool that’s used to extract juice from fruits by pressing or twisting it against a reamer or cone. I used the Hamilton Beach Large Juicer and the Black+Decker 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the DitzyDiva Christmas Bauble Cocktail Pick Set.

Lowball Glass: This is a short, wide glass with a thick base that’s used for serving spirits neat or on the rocks. I used the Libbey Infinium Classic Rocks Glass.

OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Pairing Knife,Black/Silver,3-1/2-Inch
OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Pairing Knife,Black/Silver,3-1/2-Inch
Sturdy, stainless steel blade; Soft, comfortable, non-slip handle ensures a safe grip; Hand wash with warm, soapy water and promptly dry
$14.14 Amazon Prime
OXO SteeL Double Jigger
OXO SteeL Double Jigger
Two sided – flip for different measurements; Soft, non-slip grip for comfortable pouring; Permanent laser-etched measurements won’t wear off
$11.99 Amazon Prime
OXO Good Grips 8 Inch Chef's Knife
OXO Good Grips 8 Inch Chef’s Knife
Contoured handle design provides control while chopping and cutting; Soft, comfortable handle ensures a safe, non-slip grip, even when wet
$20.74
OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Pairing Knife,Black/Silver,3-1/2-Inch
OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Pairing Knife,Black/Silver,3-1/2-Inch
Sturdy, stainless steel blade; Soft, comfortable, non-slip handle ensures a safe grip; Hand wash with warm, soapy water and promptly dry
$14.14 Amazon Prime
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer & Slicer,Silver/Black
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer & Slicer,Silver/Black
Cores and slices whole pineapples quickly and easily; Measurement markings help prevent piercing the bottom of the shell
$22.90 Amazon Prime
Hamilton Beach Juicer Machine, Big Mouth Large 3” Feed Chute for Whole Fruits and Vegetables, Easy to Clean, Centrifugal Extractor, BPA Free, 800W Motor, Black
Hamilton Beach Juicer Machine, Big Mouth Large 3” Feed Chute for Whole Fruits and Vegetables, Easy to Clean, Centrifugal Extractor, BPA Free, 800W Motor, Black
Source: Circana/Retail Tracking Service, US Unit Sales, 12 Months Ending September 2024.; CUP NOT INCLUDED
$59.99 Amazon Prime
BLACK+DECKER 32oz Electric Citrus Juicer, CJ625, Pressure Activated, Adjustable Pulp Control, Dishwasher-Safe
BLACK+DECKER 32oz Electric Citrus Juicer, CJ625, Pressure Activated, Adjustable Pulp Control, Dishwasher-Safe
Auto-reversing juicing cones provide maximum juice extraction; Drip-Free Pour Spout – The container doubles as a pitcher, complete with handle and spout
$27.86 Amazon Prime
Libbey 92403 Infinium Classic 10 Oz. Stacking Rocks Glass - 12 / CS
Libbey 92403 Infinium Classic 10 Oz. Stacking Rocks Glass – 12 / CS
<>Model #: 92403; <>BPA Free; <>Virtually Unbreakable; <>Stain and Odor; <>Dishwasher

This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-01-16.

Grinch Cocktail Recipe

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

 Appearance: Bright neon green hue

• Aroma: Sweet melon

• Taste: A sugary pineapple flavor with melon notes and light wine taste

• Finish: Strong fruity melon

Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐

Kendall’s Take: “I knew from the ratio of Midori to everything else that this was going to be a college bar-style cocktail, but I was willing to give it a try given its popularity online. Unfortunately, I didn’t care for it. Even with the addition of lime, there was really no saving it for my palate. This version of the Grinch is at least drinkable, but I don’t think you’ll ever hear me requesting this at Christmastime. The color and concept are fun, but there are many, many other more sophisticated holiday drinks I like a lot more.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from Wine Enthusiast.

Grinch

The Grinch is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Jacy Topps, a New York City-based food writer and recipe developer for Wine Enthusiast. Inspired by similar viral recipes posted all over the social network TikTok, the drink mimics the color of the popular Christmas villain by using Midori as the main ingredient, and it pairs the melon liqueur with sparking wine, pineapple, vodka, and a splash of lime for balance.

Prep Time 3 mins Assembly Time 2 mins Total Time 5 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Servings: 1 Calories: 240 Best Season: Christmas

Ingredients

Method

  1. Add melon liqueur, pineapple juice, vodka, lime juice, and cubed ice to a shaker.

  2. Shake for 10-20 seconds.

  3. Strain into a lowball glass over fresh cubed ice.

  4. Top with sparkling wine.

  5. Garnish with cherry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
How do I make this cocktail recipe non-alcoholic?

Use Amoretti Premium Honeydew Melon Syrup in place of the melon liqueur, Gruvi Non-Alcoholic Prosecco in place of the sparkling wine, and STRYKK Not V*dka in place of the vodka to try a mocktail version of this drink.

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About The Author

Kendall is the creator of Novel Nightcaps, a mixology blog chronicling recipes she tries from her cocktail book collection.