Skip the ‘Party Drinks’ This St. Patrick’s Day and Mix Up a Classic Irish Cocktail Instead
No agonizingly sweet drinks or colorful mixers needed.
Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christine Keely
'Party drinks' have become synonymous with St. Patrick's Day but there's no need to go for overly complicated cocktails that are filled with artificial colors or loads of sugar. Ireland produces some of the best spirits in the world after all, so why not mix up a drink that celebrates those complex flavors rather than mask them. These classic Irish drinks reflect the artfully crafted spirits from around the country and can showcase your skills at your next party, say, your St. Patrick's Day party.
Related: 24 St. Patrick's Day Recipes, From Corned Beef and Cabbage to Irish Soda Bread
Irish Coffee
This list wouldn't be complete without an Irish coffee, but skip the Bailey's. This recipe is a classic that calls for real whipped cream, Irish whiskey, good coffee, and sugar.
Irish Buck Cocktail
Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Liberty Fennell
Light yet oaky, Irish whiskey joins tart lemon juice, honey, and spicy ginger beer in this refreshing, fizzy, basil-scented Irish Buck cocktail.
Overstory Toddy
Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon
Developed by Harrison Ginsberg (bar director at New York City’s Overstory, Saga, and Crown Shy), this soul-soothing tea-based cocktail has a backbone of Irish whiskey and packs smoky sweetness.
Once Upon a Paris Bar
Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christine Keely
Don't let the name of this cocktail fool you. Created by Oisin Kelly at Dublin's Sidecar Bar, the Once Upon a Paris Bar is a riff on the classic Sidecar. The cocktail highlights Irish whiskey (the team at Sidecar prefers Roe & Co., but another fruit- or vanilla-forward Irish whiskey will do) and the presentation is first-class.
Mr. J
Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christine Keely
Ariel Sanecki spent years overseeing the drinks program at Adare Manor, one of Ireland's more revered luxury hotels, earning a reputation as one of the best bartenders in the country. He's now mixing up drinks at Hilliard's in Killarney, a restaurant and cocktail bar recently opened in a landmark department store. He's shared one of his favorite drinks that combines the richness of chocolate bitters and coffee, and highlights the complexity of the Scotch.
Tipperary
Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon
Since Ireland produces some of the best whiskey in the world, we wanted to highlight the spirit as much as possible in the drink. We use one-and-a-half ounces of Irish whiskey, plus equal parts green Chartreuse and sweet vermouth to complement the sweet and spicy flavors. Two dashes of angostura bitters add an extra bite and an expression of orange peel oils brightens it up.
Hot Toddy
Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon
While this recipe calls for bourbon, supplementing with an Irish whiskey packs an extra punch of flavor. And while most think of a Hot Toddy on cold winter nights, this really could (and should) be enjoyed year round. It's just too good to relegate to one season per year.
Hums of Aisling
New York City mixologist Pamela Wiznitzer describes this hot Irish whiskey drink as perfect on a bitter-cold day. According to Wiznitzer, many women in the 1700s and 1800s snuck whiskey into their hot drinks. “Thank goodness there’s nothing taboo about a woman enjoying a hot whiskey drink these days,” she says.
Gaelic Punch
Looking for a crowd pleaser for your St. Patrick's Day party that's no fuss? The Gaelic Punch is the answer. This make-ahead recipe serves 14 and is bound to be a hit. Pro tip: Use young Irish whiskeys for your hot punches. Heat intensifies the tannic edge of older whiskey, whereas young ones stay smooth.
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