10 Genius Green Cocktails

The most eye-catching of all green cocktails? The Midori Sour. This 1980’s classic is like the drink equivalent of a melon Jolly Rancher. But it’s not overly sweet: it’s perfectly sweet tart! The eye-catching glowing green color comes from Midori, a Japanese melon-flavored liqueur. This drink was big in the 80’s and 90's made with sour mix. This spin is a refreshed version of this classic with real lemon and lime, and let me tell you: one sip of this and you’ll be a believer.

Ingredients: Midori, lime juice, lemon juice, soda water

It’s glowing green, it’s rich and creamy, and it’s delightfully mint chocolate. Yes, it’s everyone’s favorite: the Grasshopper! Turns out, this classic cocktail has more history than you’d expect: it dates back to 1918. This classy, creamy after-dinner drink stars creme de menthe, a green mint-flavored liqueur. One creamy, mint chocolate sip and you’ll be sold.

Ingredients: Creme de menthe, creme de cacao, heavy cream

Another neon green drink that’s eye-catching…and absolutely delicious: Tokyo Tea! This spin on the Long Island Iced Tea stars Midori, a honeydew melon-flavored Japanese liqueur. Reserve your judgement until you taste this one. This is by no means a low-brow drink! It’s refreshing, zingy, and full of intriguing flavor with the contrasts of lemon, orange liqueur, and bright melon.

Ingredients: Vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, simple syrup, Midori, soda water

Another way to make green cocktails? Absinthe! If you’re a cocktail connoisseur, you likely have a bottle of absinthe around. The iridescent green Death in the Afternoon cocktail stars the combination of absinthe and sparkling wine, and the flavor is delightfully intriguing! It’s bubbly with a black licorice finish. Invented by writer Ernest Hemingway, it’s a unique drink to pull out to impress guests. Important note: most good quality absinthe is very light green in color: don't expect this one to be vibrant green.

Ingredients: Absinthe, champagne

Another pale green cocktail? The Last Word! This pale green gin sour is a classic cocktail that was all but lost to history. But with the revival of cocktail culture, this one’s come back strong! The secret to the color? Green chartreuse. It’s equal parts sharp, sweet, and sour: full of intrigue and nuance. Here’s all about this forgotten classic.

Ingredients: Gin, Maraschino liqueur, Chartreuse liqueur, lime juice

Here’s an impressive green cocktail that’s as sophisticated as it is stunning: the Japanese Slipper! This drink makes your eye brows raise on first sip. It’s perfectly balanced between sweet and sour, with notes of melon and citrus. Don’t let the electric green color fool you: it’s not overly sweet or artificial tasting. It’s just darn delicious...and classy.

Ingredients: Midori, lemon juice, Cointreau

Another way to make green cocktails? Muddle in bright green herbs like basil! Basil’s peppery flavor could not be more perfect in cocktail recipes. Here it pairs nicely with the botanical essence of gin in a basil gimlet, a drink made of lime juice, gin and muddled basil.

Ingredients: Gin, lime juice, fresh basil, simple syrup

Here's another spin on a naturally green cocktail: the gin and basil cocktail! The peppery green herb adds a beautifully fresh flavor to this drink. This one's a lemon lime gin drink: crisp and cool, with a sweet tart flavor. There’s nothing better than basil in the summer, and we think this is just the way to use it.

Ingredients: Fresh basil, gin, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup

Another naturally green cocktail? The Cucumber Martini! This one is a cool, crisp take on the classic martini starring cucumber, vodka, and the floral notes of St Germain. Take one sip and your palate will be amazed: it’s fresh, dry, and floral, with just the right scent of cucumber. It’s great for summer, but it works anytime.

Ingredients: Cucumber, vodka, dry white vermouth, St Germain

Last up in our green cocktails: the Southside! Fresh mint makes for a pale, yellow-green color. It tastes minty, fresh, and botanical, made with lemon, lime, and gin. It’s sweetened just enough: crisp, cool and refreshing. Perfect for sipping on a cocktail night with friends: everyone is always impressed by the sweet tart flavor!

Ingredients: Fresh mint, gin, lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup