National Crème de Menthe Day is a holiday observed annually on the 15th of September and pays homage to a green-colored, peppermint-flavored liqueur with an alcohol content of approximately 25%. This alcoholic beverage was first invented at the end of the 19th century, and it has since become a liqueur used in a variety of different cocktails.

Cocktails that include Crème de Menthe are the Grasshopper, the Peppermint Patty, the Midnight Snowstorm, Christmas Coffee, Irish Eyes, Devil’s Cocktail, and the Irish flag. Of course, there are about two dozen other cocktails that use this liqueur, so be ready to do your research when observing this holiday.

The History of Crème de Menthe

The phrase Crème de Menthe means “mint cream” in French, and it was invented by Emile Giffard in 1885. He was trying to create a digestive that not only had medicinal qualities but was also refreshing. He figured that since mint could be used to calm stomach conditions, he’d base the drink on it.

He invented a clear Crème de Menthe, and then he realized it could also be a drink that people liked, so he took it to the Grand Hotel in Angers, France, to see if people liked it. It didn’t take long before its minty taste caught on with drinkers and became a smash hit.

Facts About Crème de Menthe

Below are some interesting facts about Crème de Menthe that we discovered while researching this holiday. Let’s enjoy them before we pour ourselves a hit of this minty drink.

• The original recipe used Corsican mint or peppermint that was steeped in grain alcohol for several weeks before being filtered and sugar added.
• Crème de Menthe can be bought in its traditional green color or in a clear formulation.
• Mobsters during the 1920s and 1930s often had a Crème de Menthe before they headed off to prison.

Observing National Crème de Menthe Day

Obviously, anyone wishing to enjoy this holiday can enjoy a small glass of Crème de Menthe, or they can make one of the many cocktails that can be made with this minty liqueur.