St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails: 5 Fresh Recipes to Celebrate in Style

St. Patrick’s Day cocktails anyone? Well of course the answer is yes! Paddy’s Day is the perfect excuse to raise a glass, and while green beer and Irish whiskey shots are classics, why not shake things up this year with some inventive, lesser-known cocktails?

St Patrick’s Day Cocktails: Here’s the List

We have crafted five original recipes to impress your guests on March 17th.

1. Emerald Forest Spritz

This cocktail combines the herbal notes of Irish gin with a touch of elderflower and a sparkling finish, evoking the misty green hills of Ireland.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Irish gin (like Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin)
• 0.75 oz elderflower liqueur
• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
• 2 oz soda water
• 3-4 fresh basil leaves
• Green food coloring (optional, for extra festivity)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle the basil leaves with lime juice in a shaker.
2. Add gin, elderflower liqueur, and a drop of green food coloring (if using).
3. Shake with ice, strain into a tall glass over fresh ice, and top with soda water.
4. Garnish with a basil sprig and a lime wheel.

Tasting Note: Bright, herbaceous, and effervescent—a refreshing nod to Ireland’s lush landscapes.

2. Shamrock Sour Blossom

A floral twist on the whiskey sour, this drink uses Irish whiskey and a hint of violet for a sophisticated St. Paddy’s sip.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Irish whiskey (like Jameson Black Barrel)
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 oz crème de violette
• 0.5 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and water)
• 3 dashes of orange bitters
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
3. Garnish with an edible violet flower or a lemon twist.

Tasting Note: Smooth whiskey meets tart lemon and a subtle floral sweetness—an elegant departure from the usual sour.

3. Outside the Pale Gold Rush

Description: This shimmering cocktail blends Irish cream with tropical vibes and a golden sparkle, perfect for chasing that pot of gold.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream
• 1 oz pineapple rum
• 0.5 oz Goldschläger (cinnamon schnapps with gold flakes)
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice until frothy.
2. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a sprinkle of edible gold dust or a pineapple slice.

Tasting Note: Creamy, spiced, and faintly tropical, with a fun golden glint that screams celebration.

4. Clover Club Craic

A riff on the classic Clover Club, this version uses Irish poitín (a traditional spirit) for a bold, earthy kick.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz poitín (like Glendalough Poitín)
• 0.75 oz raspberry liqueur
• 0.5 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• 3 fresh raspberries
• Egg white
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Dry shake (no ice) the poitín, lemon juice, simple syrup, raspberries, and egg white for 10 seconds.
2. Add ice and shake again until chilled.
3. Double strain into a chilled martini glass.
4. Garnish with a skewered raspberry.

Tasting Note: Velvety and tart with a rugged spirit backbone—perfect for a lively Irish toast.

5. Midnight in Galway: The Last of the St Patrick’s Day Cocktails

This dark, moody cocktail fuses Irish stout with coffee liqueur for a late-night St. Patrick’s Day treat.
Ingredients:

• 1 oz Irish whiskey (like Teeling Small Batch)
• 0.75 oz coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
• 0.5 oz crème de cacao
• 2 oz Guinness (or another Irish stout)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Shake whiskey, coffee liqueur, and crème de cacao with ice.
2. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
3. Top with Guinness and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a dusting of cocoa powder.

Tasting Note: Rich, roasty, and slightly sweet—a brooding tribute to Ireland’s coastal nights.

St Patrick’s Day Cocktails: Final Thoughts

These cocktails bring a fresh spin to St. Patrick’s Day, blending Irish spirits with bold flavours and eye-catching presentations. Whether you’re hosting a party or just toasting solo, they’re sure to add some craic  to your festivities. Have a happy day this March 17th.