Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Vodka
- 1.5 oz White Rum
- 1.5 oz Gin
- 1.5 oz Melon Liqueur
- 1.5 oz Grain Alcohol
- 1 oz Sugar Syrup
- 1 oz Pineapple Juice
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 1.5 oz vodka, 1.5 oz white rum, 1.5 oz gin, 1.5 oz melon liqueur, 1.5 oz grain alcohol, 1 oz sugar syrup, and 1 oz pineapple juice.
Shake Well:
- Shake the mixture vigorously to ensure all ingredients are well-blended and chilled.
Strain and Serve:
- Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
Tropical Isle bar in New Orleans created the Hand Grenade in 1984. They trademarked the recipe and the green plastic grenade-shaped cup. The drink is now a Bourbon Street fixture and the cup itself is a tourist souvenir.
Recipes vary because the original is trademarked and bars outside Tropical Isle have to riff. The version above hits the same flavour profile.
What it tastes like
Sweet melon and pineapple on the lead, vodka and rum warmth in the middle, the grain alcohol pushes the drink straight to the head. The sugar syrup keeps it tropical and prevents the alcohol from showing.
Sweet drinks hide their alcohol. Two of these on a hot day and the night ends differently.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
The melon liqueur
- Use
- Midori
- Why
- The lead flavour. The drink is named for the green colour and Midori delivers it
The grain alcohol
- Use
- Everclear at 60 percent or 75 percent ABV
- Skip
- Higher proof Everclear can be illegal in some states. Check local laws
The sugar
- Use
- Simple syrup or rich syrup at 1:1
- Why
- The sweetness ties the alcohol pulls together
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Skip it. The drink works fine without grain alcohol, just less aggressive.
Bols Melon or any green melon liqueur.
Add another half measure of vodka.
Cut the sugar syrup in half and add a fresh lemon squeeze.
Add 30 ml of pineapple juice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
How strong is it?
Why is it called a Hand Grenade?
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Can I make it without grain alcohol?
What glass?
