Ah, St. Patrick’s Day, the one day a year when everyone becomes an honorary Irishman, complete with questionable green attire and a sudden obsession with all things shamrock-shaped. As if we needed another reason to indulge, here we are, celebrating the patron saint of Ireland by raising glasses filled with various types of liquid luck in the form of these St. Patrick’s Day cocktails.
From Irish whiskey drinks to emerald green shots, there’s a rainbow of St. Patrick’s Day libations waiting to be explored. Whether it’s a Gold Rush cocktail or a humble pint of Guinness, there’s a pot of liquid gold at the end of every celebration.
So, let’s raise a glass to St. Patrick’s Day: the one day of the year when green beer flows like water. May your whiskey drinks be strong, your laughter be loud, and your hangover be tiny. Sláinte!
1. Leprechaun’s Kiss Martini
This chocolatey Leprechaun’s Kiss Martini cocktail combines Irish cream liqueur with vanilla vodka and is garnished with a rainbow sugar rim and a hidden Hershey’s Kiss. After a few sips of this drink, you’ll feel like you just kissed the hot part-leprechaun from The Luck of the Irish.
2. Irish Coffee
Is there a better way to start St. Patrick’s Day then with coffee combined with whiskey? We’re all still working from home, right?
3. Frozen Gin and Tonic
Unlike whiskey, gin may not be a spirit that’s associated with Ireland. But, this Frozen Gin and Tonic relies on cucumber and lime juice to make it a perfect St. Paddy’s Day green. So if anyone tries to pinch you for not wearing green, toss this drink at them. Or, try using your words. Up to you.
4. Irish Trash Can
Name a type of alcohol and we can all but guarantee it’s in this Irish Trash Can (as well as a whole can of Red Bull). There are so many spirits in here we’re shocked Slimer isn’t also in the glass. But this green, boozy drink will have you saying, “I think he can hear you.”
5. Green Beer
A little green beer for the holiday? Go for it! A little green beef for the holiday? Maybe not. While you may want to avoid dyeing your steaks green to celebrate, this recipe is the perfect way to say, “I don’t like good Irish beer, but I’m ready to be festive.”
6. Irish Mule
Move over, Moscow. Well, not physically. That sounds hard. But do make room for a new cocktail, the Irish Mule. Made with Irish whiskey and ginger beer, it’ll have you dancing on tables by the end of the night. Or at least threatening to.
7. St. Patrick’s Day Mimosa
Hosting a St. Patrick’s Day brunch and aren’t ready to break out the whiskey? Go green with a St. Patrick’s Day Mimosa made with sparkling wine, orange juice, and Blue Curaçao. It’s sweet, smooth, and goes down perhaps a little too easy.
8. Homemade Irish Cream Liqueur
If you’re the type of person who tastes everything and says, “I can do it better,” forget the Bailey’s and make this Homemade Irish Cream Liqueur recipe. Just gather the ingredients — which include Jameson Irish whiskey, chocolate syrup, and heavy cream — and let your blender do all the work.
9. Coconut Mint Mocktail
A non-alcoholic drink on St. Patrick’s Day? We’ll raise a mocktail to that! If you’d rather not get sloshed on the Irish holiday this year, this Coconut Mint Green Tea Mocktail is the perfect solution. And if you do toss in some whiskey…well, we hear coconut water is good for hangovers.
10. Baileys Espresso Martini Cocktail
It’s not Bond, James Bond. It’s Irish Cream, Baileys Irish Cream. And a gentle reminder that not all St. Patrick’s Day cocktails need to be green. This drink is made with vodka, espresso, Kahlua, and Baileys. And it is shaken, not stirred. We think 007 would approve.
11. Baby Guinness Shot
Should you give a Baby Guinness Shot, made using Kahlua and Baileys, to a baby? No. But you can serve it for both St. Patrick’s Day and April Fool’s since it doesn’t contain any actual Guinness.
12. Jameson Green Tea Shot
Oddly enough, this Jameson Green Tea Shot doesn’t have any tea in it. Instead, the cocktail is made of Jameson whiskey, peach schnapps, Sprite, and sour mix. Combined, it tastes eerily similar to green tea. Just don’t try to use it as a substitute for your morning matcha.
13. Midori Sour
Thanks to the melon liqueur that is Midori, this easy cocktail recipe is neon. Make the drink for St. Patrick’s Day or Halloween! It’s so versatile.
14. Scooby Snack Shot
“Would you do it for a Scooby Snack?” If you’re serving this Scooby Snack Shot made with coconut rum, Midori, pineapple juice, creme de banana, and whipped cream, our answer is yes. No “ruh roh” about it.
Get the recipe here and order the Scooby snack cookies here.
15. Green Jungle Juice
Are you spending St. Patrick’s Day in a lush jungle, enjoying the fresh air (and humidity)? Sip on this festival cocktail after your morning hike. Just remember not to play a drinking game with the big cats. They’re all cheetahs.
16. Cucumber Lemonade Cocktail
If you’re not a fan of Irish whiskey, you can still enjoy festive cocktails on March 17th. Simply make this Frozen Cucumber Lemonade that uses fresh lemon juice and cucumbers to give you leprechaun at a spa vibes.
17. Green Moscow Mule
Blend vodka, green juice, ginger beer, and lime juice, to make this themed Moscow Mule cocktail.
18. Grasshopper Milkshake Cocktail
I scream, you scream, we all scream…for boozy ice cream. This twist on the classic Grasshopper cocktail is dessert in a glass. It’s made with part mint, part chocolate, and is all St. Patrick’s Day-friendly. The only thing it’s “not” is for sharing.
Get the recipe.
19. Green Hawaiian Cocktail
Elvis may have known a thing or two about Blue Hawaii. But if he was in the tropical paradise on St. Paddy’s Day, he’d be singing about this cocktail. So, curl your lip, shake your hips, and don’t forget to garnish with a pineapple and a cherry.
20. Gold Rush Cocktail
At the end of the rainbow, there’s a pot of gold, so at the end of our list, you’ll find the Gold Rush cocktail. It’s a combination of bourbon whiskey, lemon juice, and honey that’s garnished with a lemon peel. The sweet and tart combo is like a grown-up Sour Patch Kid. Good luck sneaking it into the movie theater.
She's also a published short story author who has appeared in anthologies like A Murder of Storytellers and the Abstract Elephant. Jacqueline challenges herself to learn one new skill per year, so you can often find her struggling to master crocheting, knitting, and embroidery when she's not writing.
Connect with her on her website or LinkedIn.
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