21 Best St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails To Start the Party

These Baileys Irish Float cocktails double as desserts, making them the perfect sweet treat to end St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Guinness and Baileys ensure this cocktail’s rich consistency even without the added scoops of vanilla ice cream.

Hot fudge drizzled on top completes the cocktail, finishing one of my favorite boozy floats. 

A St. Patrick’s Day cocktails list would be incomplete without a festive Green Beer.

I love the simplicity of this recipe that uses only two ingredients: food coloring and the beer of your choice.

Add a drop of green food dye in each glass, pour beer on top, and you’re finished! Enjoy a festive green beer if the green cocktails are getting too strong.

Many St. Patrick’s Day cocktails incorporate beer, while others lean towards the sweet side. If these styles aren’t to your taste, consider a savory and spicy Green Bloody Mary.

The cocktail has the holiday’s green color from a mix of tomatillos and yellow cherry tomatoes, creating a green cocktail outside the norm. 

Start celebrating early with this Irish Coffee recipe that’s as easy as making your morning brew.

Brew your favorite coffee (I prefer dark roasts for this cocktail) and mix in an Irish whiskey.

This Irish coffee recipe calls for brown sugar and heavy cream, but you can easily substitute these elements for the sweetener and creamer of your choice. 

If you want a sweeter drink, top it with whipped cream!

The Irish Maid provides a refreshing option compared to other decadent holiday drinks.

This cocktail combines whiskey and elderflower liqueur with bright lemon juice and simple syrup. The resulting drink has a balance and lightness that I love.

Garnish with cucumber slices for visual appeal and another fresh element. 

Try the Luck of the Irish Cocktail if you’re looking for a festive drink with tropical flavors.

Pineapple juice adds sweetness. Lime soda adds a sparkling element. Peach schnapps enhances these fruity notes, while Irish whiskey ensures this cocktail packs a punch.

If you’re celebrating the holiday somewhere warm, I recommend this option!

This St. Patrick’s Day cocktail mixes up the traditional drink, creating a Shamrock Sour.

Like the original, the recipe calls for whiskey but incorporates more lime than lemon juice.

Garnish with lime slices to keep on theme with the green color palate of the holiday, and add a drop of food coloring to make the cocktail even more festive. 

Many St. Patrick’s Day cocktails call for whiskey. If this isn’t your preferred spirit, I recommend this tropical-tasting option.

The Pot of Gold Cocktail uses sour apple schnapps and coconut rum, creating a flavorful and strong drink.

Pineapple juice adds sweetness and a pleasant gold color, referenced in the name of this cocktail. 

This recipe provides another colorful option, perfect for the holiday without using food coloring.

The Golden Irish Mule replaces the vodka used in the classic with Irish whiskey, highlighting the subtle spice notes of the ginger beer.

If you want an extra fancy drink, this recipe shares instructions for gold ice cubes incorporating edible gold leaf. 

My favorite option for a St. Patrick’s Day brunch, these Green Mimosas make any morning meal festive. The recipe uses the traditional pairing of orange juice and champagne.

The green color comes from the addition of Blue Curacao, which also brings different orange notes to the cocktail, adding a tart element to the drink. 

The Irish Whiskey Sidecar also incorporates Blue Curacao for color and unique citrus combinations.

Blue from the spirit mixes with orange juice, creating this cocktail’s green hue. Irish whiskey replaces the brandy of the traditional sidecar, contrasting the fruity notes with rich undertones.

Garnish with Maraschino cherries for a bright pop of color. 

Like the original cocktail, the Emerald Sunrise calls for tequila and, like other St. Patrick’s Day cocktails, combines orange juice with Blue Curacao.

Using proper techniques, you can create a layered look with bright orange on top, blue on the bottom, and a green stripe where the two mix.

However, if you’re making a big batch, I recommend blending all ingredients for a consistent green color and less prep time. 

This refreshing cocktail gets its green color from a healthy source: green juice. You can influence the taste through your choice of juice.

I prefer kiwi blends to add a tart element that pairs well with the lime juice.

The recipe calls for vodka, like the traditional mule, but also enhances the cocktail with an herb garnish. 

Another great option using the orange juice Blue Curacao combination to create a bright green color, the Drunk Leprechaun combines these two ingredients with vodka.

The mix reminds me of a screwdriver but with extra citrus tones from the Curacao, bringing hints of bitterness to the drink. This cocktail provides an excellent option for celebratory brunches!

The Irish Sour Apple Cocktail gets its unique flavor by mixing Irish whiskey with sour apple vodka.

Pairing the two spirits brings out the best of both, that reminds me of an apple whiskey. Elderflower tonic water lightens the mixture while adding subtle floral notes.

Garnish with green apple slices for a pop of bright color and flavor!

While most fish bowl-style cocktails predominately use blue, the Irish Fish Bowl takes on a festive green color.

Several types of liquor flavor the drink, including sour apple and melon liqueurs, in addition to Irish whiskey.

Expect a boozy, tart flavor from the drink combined with sweeter elements like apple juice and soda. 

The Irish Whiskey Smash takes a lighter approach to other St. Patrick’s Day cocktails, combining fresh lemon juice with simple syrup and club soda to create this refreshing drink.

If you prefer, you can skip club soda for a more flavorful cocktail without the bubbles. This easy-to-make drink is one of my favorites all year!

If you have all the ingredients to make a margarita except the tequila, consider trying this Irish Whiskey Margarita.

This cocktail mixes fresh lime juice with Cointreau, creating a citrusy base that melds nicely with Irish whiskey.

Serve over ice in a glass with a salted rim and a drop of green food coloring for an intense green color. 

The Nutty Irishman combines coffee with Irish cream and hazelnut liqueurs.

The recipe also calls for Irish whiskey, creating a decadent and boozy way to start your day or finish your evening.

The liqueurs are the only sweetener in these creamy cocktails, so it’s an excellent option if you want something that isn’t overly sugary. 

Celebrate the holiday in style with the Black Velvet cocktail, combining Guinness and champagne.

The key to the correct consistency, which should be rich and effervescent, is the pour. Take your time incorporating both liquids, adding the champagne first.

These cocktails come together quickly with the proper technique, making them an excellent choice for serving guests. 

For another delicious drink made with Irish spirits, try the Irish buck cocktail!

This is a simple drink made with Irish whiskey, lemon juice, honey, and ginger beer or ginger ale if you prefer. I like to use Jameson whiskey or Tullamore DEW.

Add a sprig of basil or fresh mint for a green cocktail garnish!