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Alexandra Cristina Negoita/Demand Media

You might expect a cocktail named after a superhero to pack a punch, and that’s certainly true of the Incredible Hulk. A simple half cognac, half Hpnotiq mix, the color of the Hulk drink is due to the mixing of the yellowish brown cognac with the pretty blue hue of Hpnotiq liqueur. However, it can be tricky getting the balance of the two ingredients and the color and taste of the cocktail just right. If your priority is a delicious cocktail that’s reliably green, you might prefer to try a vodka Hulk, which is green, fruity and punchy too.

Incredible Hulk (Cocktail)

Other names for this striking drink include Shrock, Hip and Hen and Green-Eyed Monster. The regular recipe recommends mixing equal amounts of cognac and Hpnotiq, but the result may fail to live up to expectations, producing a golden brownish cocktail. Increasing the proportion of Hpnotiq colors the drink a little greener, though the fruitier taste might not be pleasing to drinkers who prefer their cocktails to have more of a punch. On the other hand, a truly green Hulk, sweet fruitiness and all, is a wonderful party drink.

Tip

If you're hosting a cocktail party, create the drink in front of your guests so you can surprise them with the color change.

Total Time: 5 minutes | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Serves: 1

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces Hennessey (or another good quality cognac)
  • 3 ounces Hpnotiq
  • 3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters (to offset the sweetness of the Hpnotiq)
  • 1/2 cup ice
  • Lime wheel to garnish

Directions

  1. Pour the Hennessey into a low ball glass, followed by the Hpnotiq. 
  2. Add the Peychaud’s bitters, and stir.
  3. Add the ice to the glass, give the drink a final stir, add the lime wheel as a garnish and serve.

Vodka Hulk

A vodka Hulk is one of those MIDORI drinks that retains the hue of the melon liqueur, making it a reliably green cocktail. The vodka is colorless, of course, and so is the gomme syrup. The shades of the pineapple and lemon juice don’t diminish the color of the MIDORI; instead, they only turn the drink slightly yellower. Serve a vodka Hulk to drinkers who love cocktails that are fruity and light but retain the underlying powerful kick of a strong liquor like vodka.

Tip

Gomme syrup is a traditional cocktail sweetener that's been used for hundreds of years. It's simple syrup but includes gum arabic as an additional ingredient, which gives the cocktail a smooth texture. If you don't have gomme syrup, use a regular simple syrup made from equal parts of sugar and water.

Total Time: 5 minutes | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Serves: 1

  • Ice cubes
  • 2 1/2 ounces vodka
  • 2 1/2 ounces MIDORI liqueur
  • 1/2 ounce gomme syrup
  • 3 1/2 ounces pineapple juice
  • 1 1/2 ounces fresh lemon juice
  • Two pineapple leaves to garnish (If you ask nicely at your local grocery store, you may be allowed to pull a couple of central leaves from a fresh pineapple. Alternatively, cut a slim slice of melon to slide on to the edge of the glass.)

Directions

  1. Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and a Collins glass three-quarters full with ice cubes.
  2. Add all the other ingredients to the cocktail shaker; fasten the lid and shake for 8 to 10 seconds.
  3. Strain the cocktail into the Collins glass, add the pineapple leaves or melon slice as a garnish, and serve.