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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.

side angle photo of The Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail with christmas tree in the background

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!

rimming cocktail glass in mint sugar

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.

mint sugar

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.

side angled photo of The Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail

 

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!

overhead photo of The Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail

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

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories Per Serving: 564 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

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!
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Spicy Sweet Grinch Punch

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 319 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

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. 
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horizontal photo of The Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail

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Comments

  1. Hi! Having a party Saturday night and planning to serve this. Would it be too far ahead of time if I made pitchers of it on Friday night? Than you!

    1. Hi there! I would follow the recipe the same but just add some sprite or sparkling water instead of the alcohol! xT

  2. 5 stars
    Made this for a New Year’s Eve party, what a hit! The sweet/tart/spicy combination is hard to beat. A big plus was that we were able to make it ahead of time and transport it easily. Wil most definitely be adding this to our favorite cocktails!

    1. Hey Sylvia,
      Happy New Year!🎆🎈 I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment! So glad to hear it was enjoyed! xx

  3. We are planning to make this tonight. Hopefully someone can answer. In the punch, is the sugar just for rimming the glasses? It seems like a lot of sugar just for rimming or are you supposed to be incorporating into the drink?

    1. Hi Courtney,
      Yes, the sugar is just for rimming your glasses. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT

  4. 5 stars
    This was so fun to make. I did the punch version and everyone loved it. My husband is a Moscow mule connoisseur and he was totally impressed! Ps.. don’t be scared about letting the jalapeños infuse the punch. It was perfectly spiced!

    1. Hey Ang,
      Happy New Year!!🎆 I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review! xT

  5. 5 stars
    Another A+ recipe. I served this cocktail just as written for my Christmas Eve guests. It was a hit for everyone who tried it. It’s fresh because of all the fresh juice and not too sweet. The mint is a perfect compliment to this tasty drink. They go down almost too easy. 🙂 I’ve yet to be disappointed by one of your recipes. Thank you for all the great ideas.

    1. Hey Maren,
      Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Thanks for your comment! xx

  6. This is hands down my favourite cocktail ever and I LOVE that you incorporated my little island’s, Goslings Ginger Beer!! Thank you!! I am a margarita girl though and subbed the vodka for Ghost Tequila to give it even more of a kick. It was perfect! Happy Holidays!! xx

    1. Hey Catherine,
      Happy Holidays!!☃️ I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT

  7. Would you be able to confirm how much grapefruit juice is incorporated into the cocktail recipe? I ended up buying 3-4 large grapefruits intending to make a punch but we’ve changed plans now and I will be making each drink individually. Thanks in advance and happy holidays!

    1. Hi there,
      You are going to use 1/2 of a grapefruit per cocktail. Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT

  8. This sounds great! If I don’t want the heat could I just leave out the jalapeño? Would the dunk lose it’s touch?

    1. Hey Patricia,
      You can totally just skip the jalapeños. I hope you love this recipe, let me know if you give it a try! xx

  9. Hi there! Any suggestions on which type of ginger beer to use if the one you suggest isn’t available? There are so many and apparently have different flavor profiles 🤪
    Thank you

      1. Amazing!! Thanks so much! We are trying ours extra spicy and infusing the vodka with habaneros. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Happy Holidays

  10. 5 stars
    This drink was a hit at my holiday housewarming get together. Be careful because it’s super tasty and can be strong 😅
    I’ll definitely be making this again though.

    1. Hey Kyra,
      Happy Friday!!❄️🧑‍🎄 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx

  11. Hi Tieghan – is the ginger beer the alcohol version or the non-alcohol version? Would either work? I’ve not used ginger beer before but have seen it in both the liquor store and the grocery store, with and without alcohol. Thank you! Can’t wait to try this!

    1. Hey Samantha,
      You’ll want to use the non-alcohol version of ginger beer. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx