Grinch Cocktails

The Grinch cocktail recipe is my holiday party trick—and honestly, it’s the kind of drink that makes my heart grow three sizes every time I shake one up. I love watching the blue curacao swirl with pineapple juice until it magically transforms into that iconic shade of Grinch green. It feels like cocktail alchemy straight out of Dr. Seuss!

This Grinch cocktail never fails to turn even the grouchiest Scrooge into the life of the holiday party.

Grinch Cocktail Ingredients

• Lime wedge: A swipe across the rim of the glass adds a tangy first impression upon first sip. It’s also the glue that sets up the sugar rim to cling perfectly. Instead of using a lime wedge to moisten the glass, you can cut the lime, juice it and pour the juice into a shallow bowl. Then, dip the cocktail glass into it.
• Coarse sugar: Rolling your rim in sugar creates sparkle and sweetness, making the cocktail look as dressed up as a holiday ornament. The bigger the sugar crystal, the better it sticks to the rim—so coarse sugar is the best type of sugar for the edge of the coupe.
• Blanco tequila: A clean and crisp agave spirit, blanco tequila is the backbone of the Grinch cocktail drink, adding a punchy kick beneath all that holiday cheer.
• Pineapple juice: Pineapple juice is sweet, tropical and slightly tart. It softens the tequila while adding body to the drink.
• Blue curacao: This orange-flavored liqueur adds citrus depth. When mixed with pineapple juice, it transforms into the perfect Grinchy green.
• Green food coloring: A drop or two of green liquid food dye exaggerates the festive hue so no one mistakes this for a beach cocktail.
• Maraschino cherries: That signature bright red color of maraschino cherries is perfectly kitschy, sealing the Whoville aesthetic. We use it as a garnish in honor of Cindy Lou Who.

Directions

Step 1: Prep your glass

Run a lime wedge around the rim of your cocktail glass. If desired, dip the rim into a plate of coarse sugar.

Editor’s Tip: For extra holiday pizzazz, use red or green sugar to rim the glass.

Step 2: Shake up the magic

In an empty cocktail shaker, add the tequila, pineapple juice and blue curacao. Fill the shaker with ice, cover tightly and shake for 15 to 20 seconds until frost forms on the outside.

Step 3: Add the finishing touch

Strain the drink into your prepared glass. If you want that unmistakable Grinch green, stir in a drop or two of green food coloring. Top it off with a maraschino cherry.

Editor’s Tip: Food coloring can be added to the shaker for a deeper, more consistent color or after the pour if only a minor adjustment is needed.

Grinch Cocktail Variations

• Try a vodka variation: Swap in vodka for the tequila if you prefer a milder base spirit or if you tend to go for Christmas cocktails with vodka. It’ll still look and taste festive.
• If you like pina coladas: Make it creamy by adding a splash of coconut cream before shaking. You’ll get a “Grinch in the tropics” vibe.
• Blend it up: Serve the Grinch cocktail with blue curacao frozen by blending all ingredients with ice until slushy. This way, the Grinch cocktail drink feels like a holiday snow cone.

How to Store Grinch Cocktails

Grinch cocktails are best made fresh, but you can also batch the mixture without ice or food coloring in advance for parties. Store the batch in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When it’s time to serve, shake each portion with ice, strain it into glasses and add the food coloring if desired.

Grinch Cocktail Tips

What else can you serve with Grinch cocktails?

Lucky for you, if you want more Grinch-themed recipes for a party, we’ve got you covered. We have Grinch cookies, a Grinch charcuterie board, Grinch fruit kabobs and much more. However, you can also serve the Grinch cocktail recipe at a holiday party that’s not centered around the Grinch because it features the perfect shades of Christmas green and red. Festive finger foods like peppermint bark, Christmas cookies, an appetizer wreath or an antipasto platter would be lovely partners for the Christmas cocktail.