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Keeping things festive and fun with my Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail. Vodka mixed with fresh lime juice, a squeeze of grapefruit juice, spicy jalapeños, and topped off with ginger beer. It’s a touch of sweet and a little bit spicy…perfectly fitting for “the Grinch”. Finish this cocktail off with minted sugar-rimmed glass for the perfect Christmas punch. It’s both festive and warming, ideal for these cold December nights.
It’s safe to say that when I celebrate a holiday, I do it up right, and this fun drink is no exception. Everyone, say hello to “the Grinch” cocktail. It’s actually a little crazy that I haven’t shared this drink sooner. But it’s finally here and I think all the Who’s down in Whoville would very much approve of this spicy-sweet cocktail.
So cheesy, but hey, it’s Christmas, isn’t everything a little on the cheesy side this time of year?
I’ve wanted to create a drink with the Grinch in mind for three whole years now, but every single December I’ve yet to come up with a mix of ingredients that feels fitting. Finally, just this week, it hit me, the Grinch needs a drink hinted with spice, but sweet throughout. Just like the true Grinch himself. He puts off a bitter cold front, but in the end, his heart is sweet. This drink is just that, the Grinch, but in cocktail form. And it just so happens this drink is insanely delicious…slightly addicting, easy to make…and every bit as fun as you’d think.
Because really, what’s not to love about a cocktail recipe inspired by The Grinch Who Stole Christmas? You know? This. Is. Christmas!
The details.
This cocktail is simple as can be. First, start with the minted sugar. It’s simply just fresh mint and granulated sugar mixed together. But it adds a festive, sweet, and cooling touch to each drink.
Once you rim your glasses in minted sugar, make the drink. In a cocktail shaker or even just a glass jar with a lid (use what you have), shake together a splash…or two, of vodka, a squeeze of fresh lime, a little grapefruit, honey for sweetness, and jalapeños for that spice. Strain into your glass, then top off with ginger beer for even more spice, sweetness, and a touch of fizz too.
I like to add additional mint for serving and pomegranate arils for a pop of color.
Simple and perfect.
If you want to serve this for a holiday party, make the punch version. It serves about four, but can easily be doubled or tripled. I will be for sure be doubling the punch recipe when my family arrives for Christmas later this month. This drink has all of their favorites in one. They will love it.
My suggestion?
Plan to watch The Grinch, make the Grinch cocktail, and enjoy a Saturday night in by the fire.
The perfect night…especially because The Grinch is one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time. No matter how many times I watch it, I never tire of it or want to turn it off. It’s always good…and now it has its own cocktail too!
Hope you all enjoy!
If you make this Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2-4 finely chopped fresh mint leaves, plus more for serving
- 2 ounces vodka
- juice from 1/2 lime juice
- juice from 1/2 of a small grapefruit
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1-2 jalapeño slices
- ginger beer, for topping
- pomegranate arils, for serving
Instructions
- 1. On a shallow plate, combine the sugar and mint. Rim your glass in sugar, then fill with ice.2. Combine the vodka, lime juice, grapefruit juice, honey, and jalapeños in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until combined, about 1 minute. Strain into your prepared glass. Top with ginger beer and garnish as desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Spicy Sweet Grinch Punch
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped, plus more for serving
- 2 cups vodka
- 1 cup lime juice (about 4-6 limes)
- 1 1/2 cups grapefruit (about 3 grapefruits)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1-2 jalapeño, sliced, to your taste
- 4 (12 ounce) ginger beers, for topping
- pomegranate arils, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Combine the vodka, lime juice, grapefruit juice, honey, and jalapeños in a large pitcher. Stir to combine and chill for 2 hours. The longer the jalapeños sit, the spicier the drink. Strain out the jalapeños and discard. Return the drink to the pitcher and chill until ready to serve.2. To make the sugar, combine the sugar and mint in a shallow bowl. Rim each glass with sugar before serving.3. When ready to serve, fill the pitcher with ice and top off with ginger beer. Or fill glasses with the spicy mix and top each glass off with ginger beer.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
This cocktail needs a shoutout from me. We have made it on Christmas or NYE as our signature cocktail 4yrs running! We call it The Spicy Grinch and I love that you can dial up or down the spice depending on preference. This year we put the mint in the drink since you can’t taste it as much in the sugared rim. We’ve even made with tequila. You can’t go wrong, always a crowd pleaser. We prefer cocktail batches over the punch. You can get the ingredients prepped ahead of time but still takes some labor to make. Definitely worth it and everyone always wants another!
Hey Claire,
Big thanks for making this recipe each year and sharing back. So glad it always hits the spot!
Happy Holidays!
Made this as Christmas Eve cocktails. I eliminated the honey to keep it ultra low carb. It wasn’t missed as the sugar rim gave a hint of sweetness. Used natural cane sugar with finely chopped mint. The spicy zip along with lime and grapefruit mate it fun and refreshing. My guests added their own spoon fulls of Pomegranate seeds (little Grinch hearts). Super easy prep. I’ll be trying a pitcher for the next batch.
Hey there,
Awesome! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it turned out nicely for you!
Merry Christmas!🎄🎁
Tasty and unique but simple to make. The jalapeño is nice !! Could totally be a summer drink too!!
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try! Hope you have an amazing New Year! 🙂 xT
I made this Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail for New Years Eve. My daughter in law and I are loving it!!!
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try! Hope you have an amazing New Year! 🙂 xT
Made this for Christmas Eve and wow what a hit! I steeped the jalapenos for 1.5 hours. The sugar mint rim was delicious. Definitely making this again!
Hi! Thank you so so much for trying out the recipe! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! xT
I made this for our holiday party and it was a hit!! Now that I don’t have any more cidade, I’m thinking of using tequila! Have you tried this with tequila yet by chance?
Thank you!
Hi! Thank you so so much for trying out the recipe! I haven’t ever tried this with tequila before but that would be delicious! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! xT
Do you think tequila would taste good in this as opposed to vodka?
Hey Jess, yes I think that would taste great! 🙂 xT
Hi Tieghan,
I’d like to make this cocktail, however I am unable to add grapefruit. Can I use one of the other citrus fruits or can you recommend an alternative for the grapefruit please?
Hi there! You could definitely use orange in this recipe! xT
I made this for a party and it was THE hit of the evening! So delicious! Thank you for this recipe!
Wow thank you so so much Breanne! xT
Do not cut the mint. So gross