Grinch Cocktail
This Grinch Cocktail is sweet, fruity and impossibly green, thanks to Midori, a bright green melon liqueur that gives this Christmas cocktail its signature color. Balanced with white rum and topped with bubbly lemon-lime soda, it's a fun, festive drink. It's easy to sip and easy to make, with only 3 ingredients and no shaker needed.
This green holiday cocktail is made with melon liqueur and white rum served over ice, then topped with lemon-lime soda. The soda adds fizz and a little citrus that balances the sweetness, so the drink stays light instead of heavy.
If you love a festive, colorful cocktail, you might also like our Jack Frost Cocktail or Shamrock Sour.
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Ingredients
With just a quick trip to the liquor store, you'll be ready to make this Grinch drink.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Midori (Melon Liqueur): Adds fruity flavor and the signature bright green color.
- White Rum: A clean spirit that mixes easily with citrus and melon flavors.
- Lemon-Lime Soda: Provides fizz and balances the sweetness with a little citrus.
All you need is a shot glass to measure and a cocktail spoon to stir. If you don't have a cocktail spoon, any long spoon works.
Variations
- Ginger Ale: Swap in ginger ale or ginger beer for a spicier version.
- Pineapple Juice: Use it in place of the soda for a lightly tropical twist.
- Alcohol Swap: For an extra smooth drink, use chilled vodka instead of white rum.
- Blue Curaçao: For a deeper, bluer green, add a splash and get an extra dramatic Grinch-y look.
- Club Soda: Use it in place of the lemon-lime soda for a slightly less sweet, extra bubbly drink.
How to Make a Grinch Cocktail
A quick stir is all it takes to bring this bold green cocktail to life.
Fill a lowball glass about halfway with ice.
Pour in Midori and rum, then give it a light stir.
Top with lemon-lime soda, as much as you like.
Hint: For a festive touch, dip the rim of your glass in simple syrup and then red sanding sugar before mixing your drink.
Recipe Tips
- Stirred: We mix this right in the glass, but you can lightly shake it in a cocktail shaker with ice for a crisp, well-blended texture. Add the soda after pouring so it stays bubbly.
- Glass: Serve it in a martini glass, coupe, lowball or a fun holiday-themed tumbler for extra festive flair.
- Garnish: Add a maraschino cherry to mimic the Grinch's heart, or use holiday-shaped ice cubes to dress things up.
- Make It in Batches: Multiply the quantities for a punch bowl or pitcher for easy serving, and hold off on the soda until each pour has been served.
- Make It a Mocktail: Swap the Midori for a melon-flavored syrup and the white rum for a non-alcoholic version, then top with lemon-lime soda.
If you're looking for another festive sip, our Spiked Eggnog is a cozy one to try.
More Cocktails
Serving Suggestions
Grinch Cocktail Recipe FAQs
Pour Midori and white rum over ice in a lowball glass, give it a light stir, then top with lemon-lime soda.
Eggnog (try our Spiked version), mulled wine and the Poinsettia drink are classic Christmas cocktails. This Grinch Cocktail is a bright green option for holiday parties.
This version uses Midori, white rum and lemon-lime soda, the same three ingredients as the single cocktail, scaled up for a pitcher or punch bowl.
A splash of lemon or lime juice brightens it up and cuts through the sweetness.
Midori is usually bold enough on its own, so food coloring isn't needed.
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Grinch Cocktail
Equipment
- Shot Glass
- Cocktail Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Midori
- 1 ounce rum light rum
- lemon-lime soda
- ice
Instructions
- Fill a lowball glass about halfway with ice.
- Pour in Midori and rum, then give it a light stir.
- Top with lemon-lime soda, as much as you like.
Notes
- Stirred: We mix this right in the glass, but you can lightly shake it in a cocktail shaker with ice for a crisp, well-blended texture. Add the soda after pouring so it stays bubbly.
- Glass: Serve it in a martini glass, coupe, lowball or a fun holiday-themed tumbler for extra festive flair.
- Garnish: Add a maraschino cherry to mimic the Grinch's heart, or use holiday-shaped ice cubes to dress things up.
- Make It in Batches: Multiply the quantities for a punch bowl or pitcher for easy serving, and hold off on the soda until each pour has been served.
- Make It a Mocktail: Swap the Midori for a melon-flavored syrup and the white rum for a non-alcoholic version, then top with lemon-lime soda.
- Make it Festive:Dip the rim of your glass in simple syrup and then red sanding sugar before mixing your drink.
Nutrition
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OMG just love this! Perfect Grinch Color! Definately making them for this season!
Such a fun one. Enjoy!
I love creative holiday cocktails, and this one looks amazing. The bright green color is so eye-catching and festive!
Thank you. It is a fun one for sure.
This is such a good cocktail; we love making it especially during the holidays for its festive flair, but its light melon flavor is good all year long!