The Grinch Cocktail That Stole Christmas 

Move over, Negroni Sbagliato. Another viral cocktail is coming home for the holidays. TikTok creators are racking up the likes with their takes on the Grinch cocktail, a bright-green concoction that evokes the classic children’s tale by Dr. Seuss.

For proof, consider TikToker @nikkiakkers, whose green sugar-rimmed creation has pulled in more than 340K likes to date. Or TikTok’s @ruthhiann, whose Grinch-inspired, candy cane-garnished cocktail currently stands at upwards of 560K likes. Across the platform, other versions of the drink are picking up steam, too.

Most seem to incorporate Midori, the emerald-hued, melon-flavored liqueur, which has experienced something of a renaissance in recent years following an update to its recipe by parent company Beam Suntory in 2012. It’s certainly the right shade for a cocktail inspired by the infamous Grinch.

Naturally, with the recipe exploding online, we thought: Why not create one of our own? Our interpretation calls on Midori, naturally, for both color and its melon-forward flavor. There’s also vodka for added kick, plus pineapple juice for sweetness and acidity. Dry sparkling wine ratchets up the drama without adding sugar, while a bright red cherry—the dive-bar sort, thank you very much—adds a pop of contrasting color.

How to Make the Grinch Cocktail

Recipe by Jacy Topps

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ ounces of Midori
• ½ ounce vodka
• 1 ounce pineapple juice
• 1 ounce dry sparkling wine
• 1 cherry for garnish

Directions:

Combine all ingredients except sparkling wine and garnish in a cocktail shaker.

Shake for a few seconds just to combine ingredients.

Pour in a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with sparkling wine.

Garnish with cherry.