A wise man once said that anyone acquainted with Ireland knows that the morning of St. Patrick’s Day consists of the night of the 17th of March flavored strongly with the morning of the 18th. So yeah, one can infer there’s definitely some drinking going on. But the real question is, what do you drink? One option is the typical green beer. Or maybe a pint of Guinness or some other Irish Beers will do. But you can be a bit more adventurous and try one of these cocktails or shooters to toast to the Irish:

Emerald Isle

Go green with your martini, just hold the vermouth and replace it with some crème de menthe. You’ll have the Irish spirit in no time. While aromatic bitters are customary, mint bitters are an equally nice compliment.

Ingredients:

1 oz gin

1 tsp green crème de menthe

2 quick dashes of bitters

1 mint leave

Everybody’s Irish

Everybody *is* Irish, at least on St. Patrick’s Day. Pour the irish whiskey, crème de menthe, and Chartreuse with ice cubes and blend to get this very green cocktail. If an olive isn’t your thing, use a fresh sprig of mint instead.

Ingredients:

2 oz Irish whiskey

1 oz green crème de menthe

1 oz green Chartreuse

cocktail olive for garnish

Irish Car Bomb

A true classic, this list is incomplete without the infamous drink. Even though it’s not exactly one of the few cocktails enjoyed back in the homeland. Fill a shot glass with Irish creme and Jameson, drop it into the Guinness, and slam the drink down.

Ingredients:

3/4 pint Guinness Stout

1/2 shot Irish Creme

1/2 shot Jameson Irish whiskey

The Dancing Leprechaun

On St. Patrick’s Day anything Irish goes, especially Irish Whiskey mixtures. To make the leprechaun dance, combine all the listed ingredients in a shaker with ice, then strain into a highball glass with ice cubes. Finally, add garnish with a twist of lemon.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Irish whiskey

3/4 oz Drambuie

3/4 oz lemon juice

Ginger Ale

Twist of Lemon peel

The Midori June Bug

This delicious concoction is made by blending all ingredients in a shaker and pouring over ice. It may be a bit girly for some, but at least its green and it’s a bit different than the norm.

Ingredients:

1 oz Midori® melon liqueur

3/4 oz coconut rum

3/4 oz banana liqueur

1 oz sweet and sour mix

1 oz pineapple juice

Dublin Handshake

St. Patrick’s Day is about fun and drunken friendship, so why not give peace a chance? Trade in that Irish Car Bomb for a Dublin Handshake, another Irish favorite. Just combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake well, and strain in to a rocks glass with ice.

Ingredients:

1/2 oz Baileys Irish cream

1/2 oz Irish whiskey

3/4 oz Sloe gin

Nutty Irishman

While a true Irishman rarely forgoes the comforts of whiskey and beer, an exception can be made for Baileys. In shooter form, mix half shots of Baileys Irish Cream and Frangelico. Or instead mix one ounce of each of the liqueurs and enjoy it on the rocks. Either is perfect for any day of the year. A St. Patrick’s Day variation adds a shot of green Crème de Menthe for green color and a minty taste.

Ingredients:

1/2 shot Baileys Irish Cream

1/2 shot Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur

Irish Dream

May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live. Blend all the listed ingredients with ice until smooth, and serve in a frosted pilsner glass. Optional topping of whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.

Ingredients:

1/2 oz Irish Cream

1/2 oz Hazelnut Liqueur

3/4 oz Brown Creme de Cacao

1 scoop Vanilla Ice Cream

Irish Cactus

Love St. Patrick’s Day but still want a touch of tequila? The Irish Cactus brings a taste from south of the border by mixing tequila and Irish cream liqueur. It is simple to make and is served on the rocks.

Ingredients:

2 oz Irish cream liqueur

1 oz tequila

Irish Trashcan Punch

It’s not really Irish, but it is green and it will kick your you know what. Simply mix all the ingredients together in a big punch bowl (or trash can if you so choose) and serve.

Ingredients:

2 big jugs of green Hawaiian Punch

1L vodka

1L Everclear

Irish Trash Can

The above drink is not to be confused with this one. Fill a Collins glass full of ice, then add all liquors and stir. Finally, add a full can of Red Bull on top (as pictured to the right). The Red Bull will float at first, then slowly go down. Watch as your drink slowly turns green.

Ingredients:

1/2 oz gin

1/2 oz light rum

1/2 oz vodka

1/2 oz peach schnapps

1/2 oz Blue Curacao liqueur

1/2 oz triple sec

1 can Red Bull® energy drink

Irish Eyes

If you’ve developed a crème de menthe habit from all the green-tinted pomp of this holiday, just add Irish whiskey, heavy cream, and ice to it for this creamy lowball that is similar to a White Russian. Great for the song “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Ingredients:

1 oz Irish whiskey

1/4 oz green crème de menthe

2 oz cream

maraschino cherry

Irish Flag

Nothing says St. Paddy’s day than actually drinking the Irish Flag. First, pour the crème de menthe into a glass. Next, slowly pour the Bailey’s Irish cream over the back of a spoon so that it floats on top of the Creme de Menthe. Finally, slowly pour the Grand Marnier over the back of the spoon so that it floats on top of the Bailey’s Irish creme and voilà!

Ingredients:

1/3 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream (Bailey’s)

1/3 oz green crème de menthe

1/3 oz Grand Marnier orange liqueur (some use Butterscotch Schnapps)

Irish Coffee

Another traditional sipper, complete with a crown of whipped cream if desired. It is a perfect drink for casual St. Patrick’s Day parties or as an after dinner beverage following Irish Stew or Shepherd’s Pie.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 oz strong, hot coffee

1 1/2 oz Irish whiskey

1 tsp brown sugar

1 oz whipping cream (optional)

Irish Martini

If your mama always told you not to drink on Sunday, she probably wasn’t Irish. Uisce beatha, the Gaelic term for whiskey, literally translates to “water of life,” a common euphemism for “holy water.” Take that special ingredient of whiskey and add it to a typical martini, making it an Irish version of an old favorite. You coat the chilled cocktail glass with the Irish whiskey, then add in the typical vodka martini.

Ingredients:

2 oz vodka

1/2 oz dry vermouth

1/2 oz Irish whiskey

lemon twist for garnish

Shamrock Shaker

Looking for something more? This alcoholic beverage combines Kahlua and Amaretto liqueurs with milk. Shake the mixture vigorously and strain it into a chilled cocktail glass. The green and gold powder is for decoration.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz of Kahlua liqueur

2 1/2 oz of milk

1/2 oz of Amaretto liqueur

edible green and gold powder

Irish Kiss

Of course, it doesn’t have to be all about beer. Korbel California Champagne created its own cocktail, the Irish Kiss. To start, add two drops of green food coloring to 1/2 cup of sugar and mix well. Rub a champagne flute rim with lime and dip it in your green sugar mixture. Fill with champagne and liqueur. You can use the lime for garnish as well.

Ingredients:

4 oz Korbel California Brut Champagne

1 oz Midori Melon Liqueur

Green food coloring

1/2 cup of sugar

Irish Gold

Often when we think of St. Patrick’s Day we want all things to be green, but let’s not forget the importance of gold at the end of the rainbow. Combine the the whiskey, schnapps, and juice in a Collins glass filled with ice and top with ginger ale. Add a lime for garnish.

Ingredients:

2 oz Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey

2 oz ginger ale

1 oz peach schnapps

splash of orange juice

lime wheel

Absinthe B-55

That’s right I’m bringing Absinthe into the mix. Did you know the United States unbanned at least some Green Fairy products? And it’s the right color for St. Paddy’s Day. Layer these shots in a whiskey glass. Caution, sip slowly or you may end up licking the floor!

Ingredients:

1 shot Absinthe

1 shot coffee liqueur

1 shot Bailey’s Irish Cream

Irish Black Russian

The Black Russian is the White Russian’s dangerous older brother. While the latter drink was made forever hip by its prominent role in the Coen brothers’ slacker odyssey The Big Lebowski, the Black Russian carries no such hipster culture baggage. The Irish takes that older brother and adds a twist. To equal parts Kahlua and vodka, add cola and a float top with Guinness to add a head to the drink.

Ingredients:

1 shot vodka

1 shot Kahlua coffee liqueur

1 squirt Coca-Cola

fill with Guinness stout

Irish Depth Charge

May you be in heaven a full half hour before the devil knows you’re dead. For one more killer drink, try the depth charge, Irish style. Pour a double shot of vodka into a shot glass and press firmly to the bottom of a pint glass. Fill the bottom with Bass Ale, and careful fill the top with Guinness, creating a Black and Tan. Remove the double shot glass from the drink and have at it.

Ingredients:

2 oz vodka

6 oz Guinness stout

6 oz Bass pale ale

And remember, no matter what you drink to say the old Irish toast:

“Saint Patrick was a gentleman, who through strategy and stealth,

Drove all the snakes from Ireland, here’s a toasting to his health.

But not too many toastings, lest you lose yourself and then,

Forget the good Saint Patrick, and see all those snakes again.”

For more St. Patrick’s Day Goodness from Gunaxin, check out: