The name sounds ominous, but Green Devil belongs to a whole documented family of “Devil” cocktails named for their liqueur’s color — green from crème de menthe, nothing sinister about it. The emerald liquid looks almost enchanted in the glass.
Dry gin’s crisp spice meets mint liqueur’s cooling sweetness and lemon’s sharp acidity, opening with a rush of peppermint like a fresh breeze, then settling into real depth underneath.
At nearly 28% ABV, it’s stronger than that refreshing first sip suggests. Pour one tonight and sip it slowly.
Recipe & Method
Ingredients
Recipe no.084
- Dry gin — 1 + 2/3 oz (50ml)
- Mint liqueur — 1 oz (25ml)
- Lemon juice — 3 tsp
- Mint leaves, to garnish
- 1 tsp = one bar-spoon measure.
Method
Add the dry gin, mint liqueur, lemon juice, and ice to a shaker.
Shake well, then strain into a glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with mint leaves.
・Technique ｜ Shake
・Glass ｜ Old Fashioned glass
・ABV ｜ approx. 27–28%
・Best Enjoyed ｜ Daytime
Green Devil in Detail
Characteristics and Flavor
The name “Green Devil” carries a slightly ominous ring when taken literally, but this drink belongs to a documented family of “Devil” cocktails distinguished by the color of their key liqueur — green from crème de menthe, in this case. Coincidentally, “Green Devil” was also the wartime nickname Allied forces used for German paratroopers, though that has nothing to do with the drink itself. Either way, the actual flavor is far more refreshing than the name suggests, built around peppermint’s cooling brightness.
Dry gin’s crisp spiciness forms the base here, joined by mint liqueur’s sweet, refreshing character and lemon juice’s sharp acidity. The emerald-green liquid in the glass has an almost enchanted glow to it. The first sip delivers a rush of cool peppermint, like a fresh breeze passing through the mouth. Gin’s spice and lemon’s tartness settle in right behind it, creating a clean finish with real depth underneath. Fresh mint on the rim adds one more layer of aroma, making this a drink that works on both the nose and the palate.
At 27–28% ABV, it carries real strength, so I’d recommend sipping it slowly — that’s really the only way to properly enjoy everything this “devilish” little cocktail has to offer.
Points, Twists & Food Pairings
Food & Snack Pairings
- Dark chocolate mint truffles — The classic chocolate-mint pairing echoes the cocktail’s own flavor, doubling down rather than competing.
- Grilled lamb skewers — Mint’s freshness cuts through lamb’s richness, a pairing rooted in the same logic as mint jelly with roast lamb.
- Cucumber and feta bites — The cucumber’s coolness matches the drink’s minty chill, while feta’s saltiness balances the sweetness.
Bartender’s Tip
A common mistake is over-shaking, which dilutes the drink and washes out the mint’s crisp edge. Shake hard but briefly — about 8 to 10 seconds is enough to chill it properly without watering it down.
Twists
- Smoky Green Devil — Use a mezcal-gin blend for a smokier, more complex base.
- Cucumber Green Devil — Muddle a few cucumber slices into the shaker for an extra-cool, garden-fresh edge.
- Sparkling Green Devil — Top with a splash of soda water for a lighter, fizzier finish.
I’d personally recommend the cucumber version for summer service — it pushes the drink’s freshness even further without losing that signature mint bite.
