St. Patrick’s Day is a time of celebration, and what better way to join in the festivities than with some delicious drinks? In this article, we’ll explore a variety of St Patrick’s Day Drink Recipes, from traditional Irish beverages to creative cocktails and even some non-alcoholic options.
Whether you’re hosting a party or simply want to try something new, these recipes will help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style. So, let’s raise a glass to St. Patrick’s Day and dive into these delightful drink recipes!
Traditional Irish Drink Recipes
1. Irish Whiskey
Irish Whiskey, one of the world’s oldest distilled beverages, is a must-have on St. Patrick’s Day. Known for its smooth and light flavor profile, it can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail. Here’s a simple recipe for an Irish Whiskey cocktail:
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Irish Whiskey
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes bitters
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
- Place the sugar cube in a glass and saturate it with bitters.
- Add a dash of water and muddle until the sugar is dissolved.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes and add Irish whiskey.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
2. Irish Coffee
A warming blend of coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, and topped with a layer of cream, Irish Coffee is a delightful drink that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 jigger Irish whiskey (1.5 ounces or 3 tablespoons)
- Heavy cream, slightly whipped
Instructions:
- Fill a footed mug or a mug with hot water to preheat it, then empty.
- Pour piping hot coffee into warmed glass until it is about 3/4 full.
- Add the brown sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
- Blend in Irish whiskey.
- Top with a collar of the whipped heavy cream by pouring gently over a spoon.
- Enjoy while piping hot.
3. Guinness Stout
No St. Patrick’s Day celebration would be complete without a pint of Guinness. This dark Irish stout is known for its rich, creamy, and slightly bitter taste.
While Guinness is best enjoyed poured from a tap at a pub, here’s how you can pour the perfect pint of Guinness at home from a can:
Instructions:
- Chill the can of Guinness in your fridge.
- Get a clean, dry pint glass.
- Open the can and pour it into the glass at a 45-degree angle.
- Once you’ve poured three-quarters of the beer, straighten the glass and continue to pour in the middle to create the head.
- Let the beer settle before drinking.
III. St. Patrick’s Day Special Drink Recipes
1. Green Beer
Perhaps the most iconic drink associated with St. Patrick’s Day is Green Beer. It’s simply beer (usually a light-colored lager) with a few drops of green food coloring. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 pint of a light-colored beer (like a pilsner or a pale ale)
- 3-5 drops of green food coloring
Instructions:
- Pour the beer into a pint glass.
- Add the food coloring while the beer is still foaming to ensure it mixes thoroughly.
- Enjoy your festive Green Beer!
2. Green Dublin Apple Cocktail
The Green Dublin Apple Cocktail is a delicious and refreshing drink made with Irish whiskey, sour apple schnapps, and white cranberry juice. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Irish whiskey
- 1-ounce sour apple schnapps
- 2 ounces white cranberry juice
- Apple slice for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the whiskey, schnapps, and cranberry juice.
- Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with an apple slice.
3. Shamrock Shake
The Shamrock Shake is a minty-fresh, creamy, and utterly indulgent drink. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon mint extract (not peppermint)
- 8 drops of green food coloring
Instructions:
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth.
- Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
IV. Fun and Festive Cocktail Recipes
1. Massey Cocktail
The Massey Cocktail is a delightful blend of Irish whiskey, vermouth, and orange bitters. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Irish whiskey
- 1-ounce sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes of orange bitters
Instructions:
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters.
- Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
2. Black Velvet Cocktail
The Black Velvet Cocktail is a unique and festive drink made with equal parts stout beer and champagne. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 glass stout beer
- 1/2 glass champagne
Instructions:
- Pour the stout beer into a champagne flute.
- Top with champagne.
3. Irish Martini
The Irish Martini is a fun twist on the classic martini. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Irish whiskey
- 1-ounce dry vermouth
- 1 dash of orange bitters
Instructions:
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters.
- Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Irish Mule
The Irish Mule is a St. Patrick’s Day spin on the classic Moscow Mule. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Irish whiskey
- 6 ounces of ginger beer
- Juice of half a lime
Instructions:
- Fill a mule mug with ice.
- Add the whiskey and lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer and stir.
V. Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes
1. Shamrock Shake (Non-Alcoholic)
The non-alcoholic version of the Shamrock Shake is just as delicious as its boozy counterpart. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon mint extract (not peppermint)
- 8 drops of green food coloring
Instructions:
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth.
- Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
2. Green Lemonade
Green Lemonade is a fun and festive drink that’s incredibly easy to make. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 cups water
- 8 drops of green food coloring
Instructions:
- In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice, sugar, and water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the food coloring and stir until the lemonade is evenly colored.
- Chill in the refrigerator before serving.
3. Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake
The Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake is a creamy and indulgent drink that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mint chocolate chip ice cream
- 1 cup whole milk
Instructions:
- Combine the ice cream and milk in a blender.
- Blend on high speed until smooth.
- Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
4. Irish Breakfast Tea
For a warm and comforting beverage, you can’t go wrong with Irish Breakfast Tea. This robust and malty tea is a staple in Irish households and is a great non-alcoholic option for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Here’s how to brew it:
Ingredients:
- 1 tea bag of Irish Breakfast Tea
- 1 cup boiling water
Instructions:
- Place the tea bag in a cup.
- Pour the boiling water over the tea bag.
- Let it steep for 4-5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bag and enjoy your Irish Breakfast Tea.
5. Apple Spritzer
The Apple Spritzer is a refreshing and bubbly drink made with apple juice, sparkling water, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1 cup sparkling water
- Juice of half a lime
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add the apple juice and lime juice.
- Top with sparkling water and stir.
Conclusion
St. Patrick’s Day is a time of celebration, a day to embrace the Irish culture and enjoy the company of friends and family.
Whether you’re sipping on a traditional Irish Whiskey, toasting with a festive Green Beer, enjoying a fun Massey Cocktail, or savoring a non-alcoholic Shamrock Shake, there’s a drink for everyone on this special day.
Remember, the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just about the drinks—it’s about coming together, sharing stories, and creating memories.
So, as you raise your glass this St. Patrick’s Day, remember to do so responsibly. Here’s to a day filled with laughter, joy, and of course, fantastic drinks. Sláinte!
FAQs
The tradition of drinking on St. Patrick’s Day comes from the temporary lifting of Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol for the day, which has since evolved into a widespread celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, and a whole lot of green.
This day is seen as a break from the Lenten season, and the joyous spirit often includes enjoying a drink or two.
Green beer is associated with St. Patrick’s Day because green is symbolic of Ireland, often referred to as the Emerald Isle. The tradition of dyeing the beer green was reportedly started by a doctor in the early 20th century who put a drop of green clover dye into his beer. This festive twist on a classic drink has now become a staple in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations worldwide.
Kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day drinks include the non-alcoholic Shamrock Shake, Green Lemonade, and Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake.
These fun and festive drinks are perfect for children and can make them feel included in the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
You can make your St. Patrick’s Day drinks more festive by adding green food coloring, using fun garnishes like a slice of lime or a sprig of mint, or serving them in festive glassware.
These small touches can add a lot of festivity and make your drinks stand out at any St. Patrick’s Day gathering.
Some good Irish whiskeys to use in your St. Patrick’s Day drink recipes include Jameson, Bushmills, and Tullamore D.E.W. These whiskeys are known for their smoothness and flavor, making them a great base for various cocktails.
A traditional Irish toast that you can use is “Sláinte,” which means “health” in Irish. Another popular Irish toast is “May the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends beneath it never fall out.”
These toasts can add a touch of authenticity to your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and are a fun way to engage with the Irish culture.
