Brian Nagele
On this list, you’ll find classics like dyed beer and cocktails incorporating Irish cream, but some of these St. Patrick’s Day cocktails may surprise you!
In addition to more traditional drinks, expect some tropical twists on typical beverages as well as more savory choices. Many incorporate fresh fruit, something left out on many St. Patrick’s Day drink menus.
While some cocktails use food coloring to achieve the emerald hues associated with the holiday, others incorporate ingredients to create the color.
If green drinks don’t appeal to you, don’t worry. There are plenty of traditional Irish favorites perfect for your tastes.
Baileys Irish Floats
Baileys Irish Floats blend the smooth, creamy taste of Baileys with the bold, roasted notes of Guinness, creating a rich and satisfying drink. The addition of vanilla ice cream softens the stout’s bitterness, making each sip velvety and balanced. As the ice cream melts, it thickens the cocktail, enhancing its dessert-like appeal.
A drizzle of hot fudge on top adds a deep chocolate flavor that pairs perfectly with the caramel hints of Baileys. The combination of creamy, malty, and sweet elements makes this float a festive way to end St. Patrick’s Day on a deliciously indulgent note.
Green Beer
Green Beer is a classic choice for St. Patrick’s Day, bringing a festive touch to any gathering with its bold color and crisp taste. The best part is its simplicity—just a drop of green food coloring transforms any light beer into a holiday-ready drink. Whether you prefer a lager, pilsner, or pale ale, the flavor remains unchanged, offering a refreshing and easygoing option for those who want to keep things light.
Unlike stronger cocktails, this drink keeps the focus on the beer’s natural malt and hop balance. It’s an effortless way to join the celebration without overwhelming the palate.
Green Bloody Mary
A Green Bloody Mary offers a bold, savory alternative to the usual sweet or beer-based St. Patrick’s Day drinks. Made with a blend of tomatillos and yellow cherry tomatoes, this version keeps the classic Bloody Mary spice while adding a fresh, tangy twist. The tomatillos bring a slightly tart flavor that pairs well with the heat of hot sauce and the richness of vodka, making each sip both zesty and satisfying.
The vibrant green hue makes it a festive addition to any celebration, while the balance of spice and acidity keeps it refreshing. It’s a unique choice for those craving something different.
Irish Coffee
Irish Coffee is a warm and comforting way to kick off St. Patrick’s Day, blending the bold flavors of coffee with the smooth kick of Irish whiskey. A dark roast enhances the deep, slightly bitter notes, which pair perfectly with the whiskey’s subtle sweetness. Brown sugar adds a touch of caramel-like richness, balancing the strength of the coffee while creating a smooth finish.
A layer of heavy cream gives the drink a velvety texture, softening the bold flavors without overpowering them. For extra sweetness, a dollop of whipped cream on top adds a light, creamy contrast to the rich, warming base.
The Irish Maid
The Irish Maid is a crisp and refreshing choice, offering a lighter contrast to the richer drinks often enjoyed on St. Patrick’s Day. The smooth warmth of Irish whiskey pairs beautifully with the floral notes of elderflower liqueur, creating a delicate yet flavorful base. Fresh lemon juice adds a bright, citrusy tang that keeps the drink lively, while simple syrup provides just the right touch of sweetness.
Thin cucumber slices enhance both the aroma and presentation, giving the cocktail a fresh, clean finish. This well-balanced drink is perfect for those looking for something light, smooth, and effortlessly enjoyable.
Luck of the Irish Cocktail
The Luck of the Irish Cocktail is a bright, fruit-forward drink that brings a tropical twist to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Pineapple juice delivers a natural sweetness, while lime soda adds a bubbly, refreshing touch. The peach schnapps blends seamlessly with these flavors, creating a smooth and slightly tangy profile that makes each sip enjoyable.
Irish whiskey provides a bold contrast, giving the cocktail depth while keeping it perfectly balanced. The light, refreshing quality makes it an excellent choice for warm-weather celebrations, offering a crisp and flavorful alternative to heavier holiday drinks.
Shamrock Sour
The Shamrock Sour puts a fresh twist on the classic whiskey sour, bringing a sharper citrus kick with extra lime juice. The smooth, oaky notes of whiskey blend with the tartness of lime, creating a bold yet refreshing balance. A touch of simple syrup rounds out the flavors, preventing the citrus from overpowering the drink.
To match the holiday’s festive theme, a lime garnish enhances both the presentation and the bright, zesty aroma. A drop of green food coloring adds a playful touch, making this cocktail a fun and flavorful way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Pot of Gold Cocktail
The Pot of Gold Cocktail offers a fruity alternative for those who prefer something other than whiskey. Sour apple schnapps brings a crisp, tangy flavor, while coconut rum adds a smooth, tropical touch. The combination creates a refreshing balance of sweet and tart notes, making each sip both bold and enjoyable.
Pineapple juice enhances the drink with natural sweetness and gives it a warm golden hue, staying true to its name. The blend of flavors makes this cocktail a fun and lively choice for St. Patrick’s Day, perfect for those who enjoy bright, fruit-forward drinks.
Golden Irish Mule
The Golden Irish Mule puts a festive spin on the classic by swapping vodka for Irish whiskey, adding warmth and depth to the drink. The bold, slightly sweet whiskey complements the spicy kick of ginger beer, creating a smooth yet lively balance of flavors. Fresh lime juice enhances the drink with a crisp citrus note, making it even more refreshing.
For an extra special touch, gold ice cubes with edible gold leaf add elegance while keeping the drink chilled. The result is a bright, flavorful cocktail that brings a bit of sparkle to any St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Green Mimosas
Green Mimosas are a vibrant choice for a festive St. Patrick’s Day brunch, offering a refreshing take on the classic mimosa. The familiar combination of orange juice and champagne creates a bright, citrusy base with light effervescence. Blue Curacao adds a twist, not only giving the drink its signature green hue but also introducing a slightly tart, orange-infused depth.
The result is a bubbly, well-balanced cocktail that pairs perfectly with a leisurely morning meal. The citrus flavors keep it crisp and refreshing, making it an ideal option for those who enjoy a light yet flavorful start to their celebration.
Irish Whiskey Sidecar
The Irish Whiskey Sidecar gives a festive twist to the classic by using Blue Curacao and orange juice for a striking green color and layered citrus flavor. The tartness of orange juice blends smoothly with the slightly sweet, citrusy notes of Blue Curacao, creating a bright and refreshing profile.
Irish whiskey replaces the usual brandy, adding warmth and depth that balances the fruitier elements. A Maraschino cherry garnish provides a bold contrast, enhancing both the look and the sweetness of the drink. This cocktail is a perfect choice for those looking for a mix of bold, smooth, and citrusy flavors.
Emerald Sunrise
The Emerald Sunrise offers a festive take on the classic tequila sunrise, swapping grenadine for Blue Curacao to achieve a striking green hue. The smooth tequila base pairs with the bright citrus flavor of orange juice, creating a refreshing and slightly tangy profile. Blue Curacao not only adds a pop of color but also introduces subtle orange notes that enhance the overall balance.
When prepared carefully, the drink forms a beautiful layered effect, with orange on top, blue at the bottom, and a vibrant green in between. For larger batches, mixing everything together ensures a consistent color with minimal effort.
Green Moscow Mule
The Green Moscow Mule puts a fresh spin on the classic by incorporating green juice for both color and flavor. The type of juice used can shape the taste, but a kiwi blend works particularly well, adding a tart note that complements the zesty lime. The result is a crisp and slightly tangy cocktail with a smooth vodka base.
Ginger beer brings its signature spice, balancing the drink’s fruity and citrusy elements. A sprig of fresh herbs, such as mint or basil, adds an aromatic touch, making this cocktail both refreshing and visually appealing for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Drunk Leprechaun
The Drunk Leprechaun offers a lively take on a classic citrus cocktail, blending vodka with orange juice and Blue Curacao for a bold, green hue. The smooth vodka allows the bright, tangy flavors of orange juice to shine, while Blue Curacao adds a touch of bitterness and depth.
This drink shares similarities with a screwdriver but has a more complex citrus profile, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a balance of sweet and tart flavors. Its vibrant color and refreshing taste make it an excellent pick for a festive St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Irish Sour Apple Cocktail
The Irish Sour Apple Cocktail blends the boldness of Irish whiskey with the crisp, tart notes of sour apple vodka for a refreshing yet robust drink. The combination creates a balanced mix of warmth and tanginess, reminiscent of an apple-infused whiskey with a sharper edge.
Elderflower tonic water adds a delicate floral touch, softening the intensity of the spirits while keeping the drink light and effervescent. Thin slices of green apple make a fitting garnish, enhancing the visual appeal and providing an extra layer of fresh apple flavor with every sip. It’s a festive and flavorful choice for the occasion.
Irish Fish Bowl
The Irish Fish Bowl transforms the classic party cocktail into a festive green delight, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. A mix of sour apple and melon liqueurs gives the drink its bold color and tangy kick, while Irish whiskey adds depth and warmth to the blend.
Balancing out the tartness, apple juice and soda introduce a touch of sweetness and effervescence, making this cocktail both strong and refreshing. Served in a large bowl with plenty of ice, it’s a fun and shareable drink ideal for gatherings. Garnish with lime slices or green candies for an extra festive touch.
Irish Whiskey Smash
The Irish Whiskey Smash offers a refreshing twist with its bright citrus notes and smooth whiskey base. Fresh lemon juice adds a zesty tang, while simple syrup balances the flavors with a touch of sweetness. The result is a crisp, invigorating cocktail that highlights the natural warmth of Irish whiskey.
For a lighter, effervescent version, club soda introduces a gentle fizz, making it a great choice for a long, easy-drinking option. If you prefer a bolder taste, skipping the soda allows the whiskey and citrus to shine more intensely. This versatile cocktail is perfect for any celebration, St. Patrick’s Day or beyond.
Irish Whiskey Margarita
The Irish Whiskey Margarita offers a bold twist on the classic cocktail by swapping tequila for the smooth, rich notes of Irish whiskey. Fresh lime juice provides a bright citrus kick, while Cointreau adds a touch of sweetness and depth, balancing the whiskey’s warmth.
Served over ice with a salted rim, this cocktail delivers a refreshing contrast of tart and savory flavors. A drop of green food coloring enhances its festive appeal, making it a perfect addition to any St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Whether you love whiskey or just want a unique margarita variation, this drink is worth trying.
Nutty Irishman
The Nutty Irishman blends the rich flavors of Irish cream and hazelnut liqueur with a smooth coffee base, creating a creamy and comforting drink. The nutty undertones complement the velvety texture, while Irish whiskey adds depth and warmth, making each sip bold yet balanced.
Unlike overly sweet coffee cocktails, this one relies solely on the natural sweetness of the liqueurs, keeping the flavor indulgent without being overpowering. Whether enjoyed as a morning treat or an after-dinner drink, the Nutty Irishman offers a perfect mix of creaminess and bold whiskey notes for a satisfying St. Patrick’s Day sip.
Black Velvet
The Black Velvet cocktail offers a bold contrast of flavors by pairing the deep, roasted notes of Guinness with the crisp, bubbly texture of champagne. The result is a drink that’s smooth yet refreshing, with a subtle sweetness balancing the stout’s signature bitterness.
Pouring the champagne first ensures a proper mix, preventing the stout from overwhelming the delicate effervescence. This simple yet elegant cocktail is perfect for festive gatherings, offering a sophisticated alternative to traditional St. Patrick’s Day drinks. Whether you’re toasting with friends or enjoying a quiet celebration, the Black Velvet delivers a rich and refined sip.
Irish Buck Cocktail
The Irish Buck cocktail brings together smooth Irish whiskey with the spicy kick of ginger beer, creating a refreshing and easy-to-make drink. A splash of lemon juice adds brightness, while honey provides just the right amount of sweetness to balance the flavors. The combination results in a drink that’s both light and flavorful, perfect for casual sipping.
For an extra festive touch, garnish with fresh mint or basil, enhancing the drink’s aroma and adding a pop of green. Whether served over ice or straight from the shaker, the Irish Buck is a simple yet satisfying choice for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
Need to make the lemon drop shot yet don’t have basic syrup? Don’t worry about it.
You can substitute the basic syrup with 2 ounces of sprite or lemon lime soft drink for added pleasantness. different diet.The size of shot glasses change from 1.25 ounces to 3.5 ounces. While causing mixed drinks to make certain to know about how huge your shot glasses are so you can change the recipe likewise.