Classic Grinch Martini Cocktail Recipe

I love sharing drinks that add a little extra spark to celebrations. Honestly, few things look as festive as the Classic Grinch Martini.

This drink gets its bright green color from Midori liqueur and is easy to mix at home with just a few ingredients. It’s playful, a little cheeky, and perfect for holiday parties or whenever I want cocktail hour to feel a bit more special.

Whenever I serve a Grinch Martini, people always seem drawn to that bold look and the light, fruity taste. If you’re hoping to make your gathering stand out, this cocktail is a fun, easy way to shake things up.

I’m pretty excited to show you how to make it.

Classic Grinch Martini Cocktail Recipe

There’s something about the Classic Grinch Martini that just works—it’s colorful, refreshing, and honestly, anyone can mix it up at home. With the right mixer and a splash of creativity, you’ll have a festive cocktail in only a few steps.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger or measuring spoons
• Fine strainer
• Martini glass
• Small plate or saucer (for garnishing the rim)
• Bar spoon
• Citrus juicer (optional, for the lemon)

These are the main tools I reach for. The shaker is a must for getting everything icy cold.

The martini glass just looks right, and the fine strainer keeps things smooth. If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll rim the glass with sugar using a small plate.

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz Midori (melon liqueur)
• 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Ice cubes
• 1 maraschino cherry (for garnish)
• Optional: Green sugar for rimming the glass

Midori brings that bright green color and a sweet melon flavor. Vodka is the backbone here, blending in nicely with the fruity notes.

Fresh lemon juice really makes a difference, and simple syrup adds just a touch of smoothness. I always toss in a cherry for that pop of color.

Instructions

• Pour vodka, Midori, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker.
• Fill the shaker with ice cubes.
• Shake well for about 15 seconds until everything is cold.
• (Optional) Rub a lemon wedge around the rim of a martini glass and dip the rim in green sugar.
• Strain the cocktail into the chilled martini glass.
• Drop a maraschino cherry into the glass for garnish.
• Serve right away and enjoy.

I find it’s easiest to measure everything out first. Shaking for a good 15 seconds gets it cold without watering it down.

Garnishing with green sugar and a cherry isn’t required, but it definitely makes the martini look more festive.

Notes

If you want it a bit sweeter, go ahead and add a little more simple syrup. Fresh lemon juice is just so much better than the bottled stuff, in my opinion.

I always recommend using Midori if you can, but any melon liqueur will do the trick in a pinch. Don’t skimp on the ice when you shake, or the drink won’t get cold enough.

I like to use a decent vodka since it’s the main spirit here. The green sugar rim is a fun touch for parties, but honestly, you can skip it if you want to keep things simple.

Tasting Notes

When I take a sip of the Classic Grinch Martini, the first thing that grabs my attention is that wild, bright green color.

It just looks playful—almost like it’s daring you to try it. Perfect for the holidays, honestly.

The first taste? Sweet, with just a little bit of sour poking through.

There’s definitely lime and melon in there. It’s refreshing, but not in an overpowering way.

The finish is smooth and crisp. I appreciate that the sweetness doesn’t bulldoze everything else.

It feels light, kind of easygoing, even if you’re not really a martini person.

Things that stand out the most:

• That fresh, fruity vibe.
• The finish is smooth, almost gentle.
• There’s a little tartness from the lime that keeps things interesting.

Every sip kind of reminds me of a fun winter party.

The flavors play well together, and I never get that cloying, too-sugary feeling.

It’s a cheerful drink—honestly, pretty easy to enjoy.

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