Midori melon liqueur (or similar)
1.5 oz
Bright melon flavor + iconic green color
Pineapple juice (100% juice)
2 oz
Fresh, tangy sweetness — avoid canned “cocktail” mixes
Vodka (e.g., Tito’s)
1 oz
Clean alcohol base
Gin (e.g., Tanqueray)
1 oz
Herbal complexity
White rum (e.g., Bacardi)
1 oz
Tropical smoothness
Pro Tip: Use chilled ingredients — it keeps the drink colder longer.
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Hand Grenade
Step 1: Chill Your Glass
Place a highball or hurricane glass in the freezer for 10–15 minutes
Or fill it with ice water while you prep
Cold glass = colder drink.
Step 2: Fill a Cocktail Shaker
Add ice to a shaker
Pour in:
1.5 oz Midori
2 oz pineapple juice
1 oz vodka
1 oz gin
1 oz white rum
Step 3: Shake It Up
Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds
This chills the drink and blends the spirits smoothly
✅ No shaker? Stir well with a long spoon in a glass of ice.
Step 4: Serve & Garnish
Fill your chilled glass with fresh ice
Strain the cocktail into the glass
Garnish with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry (classic New Orleans style)
Optional: Add a splash of 7-Up or Sprite for extra fizz and sweetness.
Step 5: Sip… But Don’t Rush
The Hand Grenade goes down smooth and sweet
But it hits you fast
Pro Advice:
“One for fun, two for bold, three and you’re on the ground.”
How to Serve Hand Grenades for a Crowd
Hosting a Mardi Gras party or summer bash?
Make a batch cocktail:
Hand Grenade Pitcher (Serves 6)
Midori
9 oz (¾ cup + 3 tbsp)
Pineapple juice
12 oz (1½ cups)
Vodka
6 oz (¾ cup)
Gin
6 oz (¾ cup)
White rum
6 oz (¾ cup)
Mix all ingredients in a pitcher with ice
Stir well
Pour into chilled glasses
Garnish each with a cherry and pineapple
Bonus: Serve in plastic flutes for that authentic Pat O’Brien’s vibe.
Final Thoughts: Sometimes the Best Cocktail Isn’t Subtle — It’s a Neon Green Explosion
We love craft cocktails with bitters, smoke, and precision.
But sometimes?
You just need a drink that says “let’s party.”
The Hand Grenade isn’t subtle.
It’s not low-ABV.
It’s not “on the rocks” and quiet.
It’s loud, bright, and unforgettable.
So next time you want to celebrate — a birthday, a holiday, a Friday — skip the ordinary.
Make a Hand Grenade.
Because sometimes, the difference between a good night and a legendary one…
Isn’t in the music.
It’s in the glass.
And once you take that first sip?
You’ll understand why New Orleans loves it so much.
ADVERTISEMENT