Cocktails for St. Patrick’s Day!

Cocktails for St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up next week! While it's not a common celebration in our country, it's always fun to join the festivities from across the globe with cocktails inspired by the occasion. Get ready for a day filled with green, clovers, and pots of gold! Try your hand at crafting vibrant drinks that bring a little luck to your glass. Cheers to good vibes and even better sips!

1. The Irish Maid

In contrast to the usual beer enjoyed on this day, this cocktail is light, refreshing and bright – perfect to sip on during parties.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces Irish Whisky
• 3 slices of cucumber
• 0.5 ounce Elderflower Liqueur
• 0.75 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice
• 0.75- ounce Simple Syrup with a drop of honey (honey is optional)
• Ice Cubes

Instructions:

• Into a pitcher or a shake, drop in two (2) slices of cucumber. Use a muddler to mash cucumbers.
• Add whiskey, Elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and lots of ice.
• Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
• Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
• Garnish with a wheel of fresh cucumber.

2. Pot o' Gold Shots

Looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Here they are! You can make a big batch so everyone can feel lucky.

Ingredients:

• 1 (3.4-oz) package lemon or pineapple gelatin mix
• 1/2 cup cold whiskey
• 1 cup whipped cream
• Gold sprinkles
• 6 rainbow candy belts, cut into 2-inch pieces

Instructions:

• In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add gelatin mix and stir until dissolved. Turn off heat and stir in a cup more water and the whiskey. Place 16 plastic shot glasses on a baking sheet and pour in mixture until each is two-thirds full.
• Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
• Top each with a dollop of whipped cream and gold sprinkles. Place a rainbow candy belt on top, forming it into a semicircle like a rainbow, before serving.

3. Gold Rush Cocktail

Manifest luck and gold into your life with this cocktail! This drink is similar to a whiskey sour, so if you love that – you’ll enjoy this. 

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. water
• 2 oz. honey
• 3 oz. bourbon whiskey 
• 2 oz. fresh lemon juice
• Ice cubes
• Lemon peel, for garnish

Instructions:

• In a heatproof measuring cup, combine water and honey. Microwave on High, stirring occasionally, until honey is dissolved, about 30 seconds. 
• In a cocktail shaker, combine honey syrup, whiskey, and lemon juice. 
• Fill the shaker with ice, cover, and vigorously shake until the outside of the shaker is frosty, about 30 seconds. 
• Strain into 2 ice-filled rocks glasses. 
• Garnish with lemon peel.

4. Irish Coffee

Coffee and whisky? Yes, please! Whether you drink this to start your night or to end it, this is a perfect drink to indulge in.

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. hot water
• 2 tsp. light brown sugar
• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 2 oz. Irish whiskey 
• 1/2 cup heavy cream for topping
• Chocolate shavings, for garnish

Instructions:

• Fill 2 mugs with hot water and let sit for 2 minutes. 
• Pour out water and add 1 teaspoon light brown sugar to each mug. 
• Pour over hot coffee and stir to dissolve sugar, then pour in whiskey.
• In a separate bowl with an electric mixer or by hand, whisk cream until soft peaks form. Cream should be thick but still pourable. 
• Top coffee with cream by gently pouring over the back of a warm spoon to form a thick layer on top of coffee. 
• Garnish with chocolate shavings.

5. Shamrock Smash

We can't have a list of St. Patrick's Day cocktails without a shamrock-inspired drink. This is what you have been waiting for!

Ingredients:

• 1 large plus 1 small fresh mint sprigs
• 2 lime wedges
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
• Ice
• 1 large egg white
• 2 oz. seltzer
• 2 oz. sour apple liqueur
• 1 oz. vodka

Instructions:

• In a cocktail shaker, muddle large mint sprig, lime wedges, and simple syrup until mint leaves start to bruise and lime wedges release their juices.
• Fill the cocktail shaker with ice. 
• Add egg white, seltzer, apple liqueur, and vodka. 
• Cover and vigorously shake until the outside of the shaker is very frosty, about 20 seconds.
• Strain into a coupe or small wine glass. 
• Garnish with a small mint sprig.