In an effort to commemorate the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick’s day was originally a religious and cultural celebration. In the early seventeenth century, March 17th was officially decreed as a Christian Feast day in honor of the patron Saint Patrick.
As time went on, people and countries evolved, and capitalism sank her acrylics into any marketable holiday with fun colors, Saint Patrick’s Day became known as the day you wear green, get sloshed with your family and friends, and celebrate the Irish.
In honor of this internationally recognized day of Irish pride, we have gathered an assortment of drinks to try with your loved ones, ranging from intricate cocktails to lager layering.
Please remember to drink responsibly!
#17 TriColour
Ingredients: 1 part Hennessy whiskey,1 part Bailey’s, 1 part Creme de Menthe
Preparation: Pour layer by layer in even portions into a shot glass and enjoy!
#16 Baby Guinness
Ingredients: 1 Part Tia Maria and 1 Part Bailey’s
Preparation: Fill a shot glass with half of each and enjoy!
#15 Bailey’s Coffee
Ingredients: Coffee, 1.5 oz Bailey’s, fresh whipped cream, nutmeg
Preparation: Brew fresh coffee, add in Bailey’s, top off with whipped cream (we recommend the kind you have to whip by hand) and add a sprinkle of nutmeg for garnish and that added layer of flavorful warmth!
#14 Poor Man’s Black Velvet
Ingredients: Hard Cider of your choice, Guinness
Preparation: In a pint glass add in half of the hard cider of your choosing and top the other half off with a Guinness.
This drink actually comes in several different variations, substituting hard cider for wine or champagne.
#13 Half & Half
Ingredients: Pale Beer, Dark Beer
Preparation: Fill half a glass with a pale beer of your choosing (we recommend using a pale ale), and fill the other half with a dark beer of your choosing (we recommend going for a stout)!
#12 Fat Frog
Ingredients: 1 oz WKD Blue, 2 oz Bacardi Orange, 1 part Smirnoff Ice (original), Ice
Preparation: In a shaker, add all ingredients and shake for one four count, strain into a glass and enjoy.
Pro Tip: If done correctly, this drink will turn bright green!
#11 The Irish Maid
Ingredients: 2 oz Irish whiskey of your choosing, 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur, 3/4 oz simple syrup, 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice, cucumbers
Preparation: Muddle cucumbers into the bottom of a glass, pour liquid ingredients into a shaker, shake, and then strain into the glass with the cucumbers! You can add cucumbers to the rim of the glass for a refreshing and aesthetic garnish!
#10 Nutty Irishman
Ingredients: 1/5 oz Bailey’s, 1/5 oz of Frangelica hazelnut liqueur, ice, freshly whipped cream, nutmeg
Preparation: In a small glass pour the liquor over ice and top off with fresh whipped cream and sprinkle some nutmeg for garnish and added flavor.
#9 Irish Espresso Martini
Ingredients: 2 oz Bailey’s, 1/4 oz vodka (we’re going to go ahead and recommend Dingle’s Vodka for this one), 1/4 espresso, coffee beans
Preparation: Pour all liquids into a shaker, shake, add to a martini glass and add espresso beans for garnish, enjoy!
#8 Irish Eyes
Ingredients: 1 oz Irish whiskey, 1/4 oz Bailey’s, 1/4 Creme de Menthe, 2 oz cream, mint leaves
Preparation: Add ingredients in to a shaker, shake, strain in to a glass and add mint for garnish!
#7 Irish Sour
Ingredients: 50 ml of Jameson whiskey, 15 ml of egg whites, 25 ml of lemon juice, 15 ml of simple syrup, 3 dashes of angostura bitters, ice
Preparation: Shake and strain all ingredients into a glass, enjoy!
#6 Luck of the Irish
Ingredients: 2 oz lime-flavored sparkling soda (any brand will do), 1 drop green food coloring, 2 oz pineapple juice, 3 oz Jameson Irish whiskey, 2 oz Peach Schnapps, ice
Preparation: Pour everything into a glass over ice, stir, and enjoy!
#5 Irish Mule
Ingredients: 1.5 oz Irish whiskey of your choosing, 3 oz ginger beer (any brand will do), Citrus bitters, lime wedge
Preparation: Pour into a glass over ice, stir, add a lime wedge for garnish and enjoy!
#4 Irish Manhattan
Ingredients: 1.5 oz Jameson Irish whiskey, 3/4 oz sweet vermouth, 2 dashes of aromatic bitters, luxardo maraschino cherries
Preparation: Add in to a shaker, shake, pour into a glass and add luxardo maraschino cherries as garnish.
#3 Black & Gold
Ingredients: 2 oz Irish whiskey, 1 oz Kahlúa, 1 oz orange liqueur, 3 dashes orange bitters, orange rind strips
Preparation: Pour all ingredients into a glass, stir, add orange rinds for garnish and enjoy!
#2 Irish Coffee
Ingredients: Coffee, Irish whiskey of your choosing (Jameson preferred), Fresh whipped cream
Preparation: Brew a fresh pot of coffee, add in 1.5 oz of Irish whiskey, and top off with freshly whipped cream.
#1 Guinness
No bells and whistles here, enjoy a chilled Guinness straight from the can, tap, or barrel.
Pro Tip: If pouring from a can into a pint glass (or from a tap into a glass) pour at a slight angle to account for the head (foam) and let stand for 2 minutes so everything can settle properly before enjoying!
La fheile padraig sona duit (Happy St. Patricks Day)! Sláinte (Cheers)!
