St. Patrick’s day is a day of celebration, a time to enjoy good food and drink in the company of friends. The most common drink is green coloured beer and Guinness. For those of you who prefer a cocktail to a larger or stout, we have compiled the following 17 St. Patrick’s day cocktails.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
History of St Patricks Day
The origin of St. Patrick’s Day is it started off as a religious celebration to celebrate the life of Saint Patrick and the start of Christianity in Ireland in the 17th century.
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, he was born in the late 4th century and was kidnapped from Rome, enslaved and taken to Ireland.
He eventually escaped his enslavement and later returned to Ireland to convert the Irish to Christianity.
The date of his death is widely believed to be March the 17th, 461 Ad and since then we celebrate the day every March the 17th.
Why Alcohol?
Originally St. Paddy’s day was celebrated with a feast on the anniversary of his death. For this one day Christians are allowed to put aside restrictions on food and alcohol, this has lead to excessive drinking becoming a fixture on the day (although we recommend responsible alcohol consumption to fully enjoy the day).
Why Green?
The tradition of wearing green stems from a different tradition, the Irish believe wearing green makes them invisible to leprechauns!
Getting pinched
Leprechauns are fairy creatures who pinch anyone not wearing green, so if you’re not wearing green on St. Paddy’s day you are fair game for anyone to give you a pinch!
Snakes
St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland is thought to have driven all the snakes of Ireland into the sea after they attacked him during a 40 day task!
Check out the following link for some St Paddys day treat ideas
The Irish Maid Cocktail Recipe
This neat, fresh cocktail is the perfect cocktail for St. Patrick’s Day this year.
Employing once again the often used Jameson Irish Whiskey this cocktail is quite refreshing with its citrus, fruity elements, including cucumber, elderberry and lemon juice.
Cocktail Recipe From This Worthy Life
Shamrock Juice cocktail
Keeping with the Green theme of the day, this Shamrock juice cocktail, made from gin, vodka, rum, tequila and blue curacao fits the bill perfectly!
Beware though, this is the equivalent of almost four standard drinks and will definitely get the Irish cheer going quickly but drink in moderation!
From Mix That Drink
Green Irish Whiskey Smash
This Green whiskey mash is a St. Patrick’s day version of the classic Whiskey mash.
Classic Whiskey Mash is comprised of whiskey, mint, lemon and simple syrup or sugar served over ice.
The St paddy;s day version substitutes Jameson Irish Whiskey for the whiskey, lime for the lemon and agave for syrup.
From Well Plated
St. Patrick’s Day Irish Sour
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and nothing could add a more Irish flavor to the day than this Irish Sour!
This delicious green concoction is easy to make with just 3 ingredients, Jameson Irish Whiskey, McGuinness Melon and Club Soda.
From The Kitchen Magpie
St. Patrick’s Lemon Cucumber Martini With Fresh Basil
What would a holiday be without its very own martini creation!
This Lemon Cucumber Gin Martini with basil fits the bill perfectly with its light green hue’s!
Check out Our Full Lemon Cucumber Gin Martini with Basil Cocktail Recipe Here
Boozy Shamrock Shake
It doesn’t have to be all serious cocktails this year, add to the green fun and flavors with this very boozy shamrock shake!
Make no mistake this cute, sweet looking cocktail is for adults only, but can easily be modified for an alcohol free version for the whole family to enjoy, just don’t get them mixed up!
From Spend With Pennies
Leprechaun’s Mimosa
Here is another Green cocktail delight sure to help celebrate this years holiday. Just make sure a leprechaun doesn’t steal yours!
Emerald Sunrise Cocktail
Forget the green beer this year, celebrate Saint Paddy’s day in style with a green version of the famous Tequila Sunrise! Simply replace the traditional grenadine with Blue Curacao and your drink will be a very Irish shade of Green. Quick and Easy!
Midori Sour
The Midori Sour is a favorite party drink of many people, in particular the lady reveller, me included ;)… its prefect for St. Patrick’s day due to the striking green color of the Midori.
From Mom on Timeout
Kiwi Crusher
For a much lighter, borderline healthy cocktail (if there is such a thing) this year try this very refreshing Kiwi Crusher cocktail.
Comprised of vodka, whole kiwi fruit, mint and agave, this drink is very easy and quick to make.
From Real House Moms
Shamrock Sipper Low Calorie Cocktail
For those of us who like to indludge but keep an eye on our wieght, the Shamrock Sipper Low Calorie Cocktail is perfect.
The secret ingredient to keep this drink low cal is Skinnygirl Cucumber vodka!
From Greta’s Day
Irish Mule
I know those boozologists out there are shouting, but a mule is a Russian cocktail, well it is, but we this one has a very Irish twist and is delicious!
Mix together Irish Whiskey, ginger ale and lime to create this decadent drink
From Flying on Jess Fuel
Fuzzy Leprechaun Cocktail
This green beauty will have your senses tingling with its peach flavor but green appearance.
A perfect choice with those of you who don’t like the bitter flavors of beer or stout.
From Tammilee Tips
Sour Apple Tequila Cocktail – The Lucky Shamrock
Combing flavours of sweet and sour into a light green shaded drink, The Lucky Shamrock, sour apple Tequila cocktail is perfect to help you uncover the Irish spirit within this St. Patrick’s day.
From No spoon Necessary
The Jameson Melon
Another cocktail mix that includes the famous Jameson Irish Whiskey, try this one and you will be thanking your lucky stars you did!
From The Cottage Market
Irish Margarita Recipe
With its emerald green color and gold sugared rim, this fruity and sweet cocktail will make you forget the green beer so often consumed.
from Restless Chipotle
The Nutty Irishman
Our final drink of our 17 St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails list is the decadent, sweet and intoxicating “The Nutty Irishman” cocktail.
You will notice this cocktail isn’t a green one, so its for the rebel revellers out there who don’t mind risking a pinch (a tradition where if you don’t have something green you may be pinched!)
From Liqour.com
Above all be sure to drink in moderation, stay safe and have a great St. Patrick’s Day!!
Let us know if you have tried any of our cocktails or have any of your own to share in the comment section at the bottom of the page!
