It’s important to stock up on Irish whiskeys and beers for St. Patrick’s Day, but don’t neglect your cocktail menu.
The busiest bar day and evening of the year is most often thought of in conjunction with shots of Irish whiskey along side pints of Irish stout and ales.
However, there’s ample opportunity to generate revenue with a special St. Patrick’s Day cocktail menu that goes beyond Irish Coffee, great as yours may be.
Below you’ll find cocktails split into two categories: those made with Irish whiskey and recipes made without Irish whiskey.
Cheers!
Irish Whiskey Cocktails
Jameson Cold Brew & Cola
Recipe and image courtesy of Jameson
- 1 part Jameson Cold Brew
- 2 parts Cola
- Orange peel to garnish
Build over ice in a high ball glass. Garnish with orange peel.
The Bloody Molly
Recipe and image courtesy of Jameson
- 1 part of Jameson Original
- 0.25 part of Dry sherry
- 5 parts of Tomato juice
- 2 dashes of Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ tsp of Celery salt
- 1 twist of Black pepper
- 2 dashes of Tabasco
- ½ tsp of Horseradish sauce
- ½ tsp of Sugar
- Garnish with celery, tomato and prawn
Hand-blend Jameson Original, dry sherry, tomato juice, 2 dashes Worcestershire Sauce, 0.5 tsp. of celery salt, 1 twist of black pepper, 2 dashes of Tabasco, 0.5 tsp. of horseradish sauce, and 0.5 tsp. of sugar in a jug or bowl. Serve in a tall glass over ice. Garnish with a piece of celery, a cooked prawn and a cherry tomato.
Irish Negroni
Recipe and image courtesy of Bushmills
- 1 part Bushmills Red Bush
- 1 part Herbal aperitif/liqueur
- 1 part Sweet red Vermouth
- Orange peel to garnish
Just like a traditional 1:1:1 Negroni, combine ingredients in rocks glass. Add ice and stir until combined.
John Collins
Recipe and image courtesy of Bushmills
- 1.5 parts Bushmills Original
- 1 part Lemon juice
- 1 part Simple syrup
- 2 parts Club soda
- Maraschino cherry to garnish
- Orange slice to garnish
Combine whiskey, lemon, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 10 seconds, strain over fresh ice and top with club soda.
Tullamore D.E.W. Fashioned
Recipe and image courtesy of Tullamore D.E.W.
- 1.5 oz. Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Old Special Reserve Irish Whiskey
- 0.3 oz. Simple Syrup
- 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Irish stout to top
Add Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Old Special Reserve, simple syrup and bitters to an Old Fashioned glass. Fill the glass with ice and stir with cautious vigor (Editor’s note: possibly the greatest recipe direction ever written). Allow to settle briefly and top with Irish stout.
Hard Shandy Whiskey Cocktail
Recipe and image courtesy of Tullamore D.E.W.
- 1.5 oz. Tullamore D.E.W. Original Irish Whiskey
- 0.3 oz. Cloudy Lemonade
- Hefeweizen or wheat beer to top (Editor's note: All Hefeweizens are wheat beers, not all wheat beers are Hefeweizens)
- Lemon wheel to garnish
In a pilsner glass, add Tullamore D.E.W. followed by lemonade, and finished with beer. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Irish Whiskey Alternative Cocktails
Look, not everyone celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with Irish whiskey and Irish beer. Some of your guests will be looking to hoist cocktails made with their spirit of choice. Leverage their St. Patrick’s Day spirit with these inventive sips made without Irish whiskey, one of which was created by Vance Henderson, our 2020 Brand Ambassador of the Year.
The Mixed Up Monkey
Recipe by Vance Henderson, 2020 Nightclub & Bar Brand Ambassador of the Year. Image: Monkey Shoulder
- 1.5 parts Monkey Shoulder Scotch
- 0.75 parts Mint simple syrup
- 0.5 parts Fresh lemon juice
- 3 parts Club soda
- Garnish with mint sprig
Build in highball glass over ice, lightly stir and garnish with a mint sprig.
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Martini
Recipe and image courtesy of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin
- 2 oz. Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin
- 0.5 oz. Dry vermouth
- 2 dashes Grapefruit bitters
- 1 barspoon Gunpowder tea
- Fresh lemon zest to garnish
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until very cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish.
Flor de Caña Ultimate Mojito
Recipe by Charlotte Voisey. Image: Flor de Caña
- 2 parts Flor de Caña 7
- 0.5 part Lime juice
- 1/3 part Superfine sugar
- 3 Mint leaves
- Champagne to top
- Mint sprig to garnish
Muddle lime juice with sugar in a Collins glass. Add mint leaves and muddle again. Fill glass 2/3 full with crushed ice and add rum. Top off with a champagne float. Garnish with sprig of mint.
The Godzilla
Recipe by Trevor Schneider, Reyka Vodka Brand Ambassador. Image: Reyka Vodka
- 1.5 parts Reyka Vodka
- 0.5 part Passou Passion Fruit Liquor
- 0.5 part Blue Curacao
- 1.5 parts Kiwi Perfect Puree
- 0.5 part Fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 part Simple syrup
- Lemon peel to garnish
Combine all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker. Shake, double strain, and serve over fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon peel.
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- "Designing Award-Winning Beverage Program is not Magic" by Mark Fine, beverage director and buyer for Norwegian Cruise Line
- "Executing High-Volume Cocktails" with Emily Yett, MarkeTeam Inc. beverage specialist, and Steve Schneider, principal bartender and partner at Employees Only in NYC and Singapore
- "WORKSHOP 2: Take Back Your Budget & Profitability: The Key to Controlling Food, Beverage & Labor Costs" by David Scott Peters
- "Workshop 6: F&B Innovation Workshop: Menu Analysis & Design Strategies" by Chef Brian Duffy