ByJohn Kell, Contributor. Originally posted Mar 06, 2025, 04:16pm ESTUpdated Mar 7, 2025, 12:41pm EST on Forbes
Irish whiskey is often the star spirit, but other festive green drinks feature Scotch, bourbon, gin, rye whiskey and even a non-alcoholic drink co-founded by model Bella Hadid.
St. Patrick’s Day evokes Irish heritage and culture, the color green, Guinness beer, mischievous leprechauns and, of course, whiskey.
Irish whiskey purveyors are poised to again benefit from the St. Patrick’s Day halo, with an estimated 61% of American consumers planning to mark the holiday this year and spending an average of $43.64, according to retail trade organization the National Retail Federation.
The Emerald Isle’s whiskey distillers have already been on a winning streak that goes beyond luck. The total number of Irish distilleries swelled from just four in 2010 to more than 40 today, as the category’s sales have been soaring. Bartenders and distillers say that Irish whiskey has an approachable flavor that is smooth and blends nicely in the Irish coffee and other classics including the espresso martini, highball and whiskey sour.
To mark the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday, here are 15 cocktails to mix at home.
Teeling’s Iced Irish Coffee is made with cold brew, demerara syrup, and a bar spoon of heavy cream.
Courtesy of Teeling Whiskey
Of all the cocktails made with Irish whiskey, the Irish Coffee is by far the category’s most popular libation. This version comes iced and was crafted by Teeling Whiskey, which is majority controlled by rum giant Bacardi. According to Douglas Graham-Leigh, whiskies trade advocacy lead at Teeling, “One of the joys of this drink lies in its simplicity and ease of making. Despite my personal coffee geekery, a simple off-the-shelf cold brew works fantastically. The natural flavor profile of Teeling, due to its finish in a rum cask, really lends itself perfectly to coffee, so anyone could easily make a great drink with cold brew and Teeling at any point, just make sure to use plenty of ice!”
Shake Teeling Whiskey, syrup and cold brew over ice. Strain into a chilled mug filled with ice. Top with cream and garnish with grated nutmeg.
The Shamrock & Roll is a “showstopper cocktail” that takes full advantage of the chocolate-peanut butter flavor duo.
Courtesy of Skrewball Whiskey
Skrewball Whiskey, the peanut butter whiskey that was majority acquired by French liquor giant Pernod Ricard in 2023, calls the Shamrock & Roll a “showstopper cocktail.” “Taking full advantage of the irresistible chocolate/peanut butter power duo, the Shamrock & Roll kicks it up even a notch further with the addition of creme de menthe for a clean finish and soft green color,” the brand says.
Slane Irish Whiskey is crafted at the Slane Distillery, located next to the iconic Slane Castle and beneath the historic Hill of Slane.
Courtesy of Slane Irish Whiskey
Alex Conyngham, cofounder of Slane Irish Whiskey, says that the holiday is meaningful to celebrate Irish culture, also noting that Patrick visited the village of Slane when he lit a fire on the Hill of Slane as an act of defiance against the High King of Ireland. Regarding the holiday cocktail, Conyngham tells me via email that “Slane works well for this classic cocktail as it has a deep demerara sugar note in its flavor profile thanks to the use of an ex-Tennessee whiskey cask as one of the three casks we use for maturation. Brown sugar is a key component of the drink, but you can dial back on this with Slane as the flavor’s already there in the whiskey.”
Preheat your glass and brew a double espresso. Half-fill the glass with boiling water, then add the syrup, double espresso and whiskey, stirring well. Top with a float of lightly whisked double cream and finish with a sprinkle of dark chocolate orange shavings.
The White Chocolate Shamrock Shake features the decadence of white chocolate, vanilla ice cream and a dash of peppermint.
Courtesy of Gluten Free and More Magazine
Jenny Manger, portfolio director of Mozart Chocolate Liqueur, says this cocktail was “inspired by the magic of St. Patrick’s Day and the decadence of white chocolate, the White Chocolate Shamrock Shake blends creamy sweetness with a refreshing minty kick. A festive toast to luck, indulgence, and a little mischief in every sip!”
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If too thin, add ice and blend. Divide mixture among two glasses and top with whipped cream. Garnish with mint. Serves two.
The Jameson Ginger & Lime dates back to the 19th century.
Courtesy of Jameson Irish Whiskey
No list of cocktails celebrating Ireland would be complete without Jameson, the best-selling Irish whiskey brand by volume. This cocktail dates back to the 19th century and according to Valeria Catterini, senior brand director of Jameson Irish Whiskey and Redbreast, it is a classic, cannot-go-wrong cocktail that’s “simple, bright, and of course highlighting Jameson Original’s triple-distillation and smooth taste. Best served over ice and alongside friends.”
Fill a highball glass with ice and add Jameson Original. Top up the glass with good-quality ginger ale and stir briefly to mix. Squeeze in a large wedge of lime, then drop it into the glass.
Redbreast Irish Whiskey’s Robin Manhattan is a luxurious twist on the classic cocktail.
Courtesy of Redbreast Irish Whiskey
Catterini also recommends a luxurious twist on a Manhattan, made with Redbreast 18-Year-Old, the newest addition to the Irish whiskey brand’s portfolio, which uses cream sherry casks as part of the maturation process. “This is our spin on the classic rye whiskey cocktail with origins dating back to 19th Century New York,” says Catterini. “Pro tip: if you want to elevate this drink even further, I recommend adding 2.5ml Creme de Cassis and garnishing with fresh blackcurrant!”
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass. Fill to the top with ice and gently stir for 15 seconds before straining into a chilled coupette. Garnish with a Maraschino cherry.
The honey within Tully Honey Lemonade is sourced from Bohemian hives and produced by independent beekeepers.
Courtesy of Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey
Created by Clodagh Mai O’Callaghan, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey’s U.S. ambassador, this cocktail features a “touch of warmth and sweetness,” she says, adding that the “honey within the liqueur is sourced from Bohemian hives and produced by independent beekeepers to ensure the cocktail retains a smooth character while the bees remain happy.”
Combine all ingredients. Stir and pour.
Proximo Spirits says this version of the Irish coffee from the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, Bushmills, couldn’t get more authentic.
Courtesy of Proximo Spirits
This list can’t help but feature a few Irish Coffee cocktails, given the prominence of this drink during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Matt Klette, the head of advocacy at Proximo Spirits, says this version of the Irish coffee “from the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, Bushmills, couldn’t get more authentic. The deep character and unique smoothness of Black Bush perfectly balances the coffee’s punchy buzz – it’s delicious!”
Add all of the ingredients to an Irish coffee glass and stir, leaving space at the top for the fresh cream. Slowly pour the cream on top and garnish with coffee beans. Top tip–to get the cream just right, turn a spoon upside down and place the tip of the spoon inside the coffee glass. Pour the cream over the spoon.
The Glendalough Shamrock is a lightly sweet, smooth whiskey cocktail with a refreshingly herbaceous finish.
Courtesy of Glendalough Distillery
Adira Hanna, brand ambassador for Glendalough Distillery, says this distinct and naturally green cocktail “reimagines a classic whilst paying tribute to the landscapes of Wicklow. Made with Irish mint, Chartreuse & verbena tea, the Shamrock is a lightly sweet, smooth whiskey cocktail with a refreshingly herbaceous finish.”
Intensely muddle or blend the mint and basil leaves with simple syrup in the bottom of a shaker. Add Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey, lemon juice, verbena tea and Chartreuse. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well. Fine strain over a large square ice cube in a ribbed tumbler. Garnish with Irish shamrocks or mint sprig.
Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon is the base spirit for the Gold Fashioned, a cocktail that took inspiration from the classic Old Fashioned itself.
Courtesy of Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon
The creator of this bourbon, Jon Taffer, says that this cocktail took inspiration from the classic Old Fashioned itself. “I envisioned this decadent bourbon as the perfect partner for a cocktail that reimagines a timeless favorite, enhancing it with a depth and complexity that makes every sip unforgettable,” says Taffer.
Place block ice in rocks glass. Add ingredients over block ice in glass. Garnish with orange peel and cherry on pick and serve.
This cocktail from The Glenlivet offers a new twist perfect for spring and festively green for St. Patrick’s Day.
Courtesy of The Glenlivet
This cocktail from The Glenlivet offers a new twist perfect for spring and festively green for St. Patrick’s Day, according to the Scotch whisky brand. “With a beautiful matcha-green color, sun-soaked flavors of coconut and lime, and an edible flower garnish,” says a spokesperson for The Glenlivet. “A whisky matcha cocktail that will have you dreaming of sunny days ahead!”
Shake and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with matcha dusting and edible flowers.
The Botanist Green Gimlet was developed in honor of sustainable cocktails for B Corp Month, but the green makes it a perfect cocktail for St. Patrick’s Day festivities too.
Courtesy of The Botanist
Kelsey Ramage, the founder of cocktail consulting group Trash Collective, partnered with The Botanist to develop a series of sustainable cocktails for B Corp Month, which is March. The green gimlet, Ramage says, took inspiration from fun items found in the fridge. “The great thing about cocktails is that they’re liquid, so if the ingredient isn’t perfect-looking, so long as it tastes great, it can be made into a cocktail,” says Ramage. “Cucumbers can often lose their ‘snap’ quickly, so this is a perfect use for them, and their skins are rich with chlorophyll, giving the gimlet a lovely ‘green’ note that pairs perfectly with the botanicals found in The Botanist Gin.”
Measure all ingredients into a cocktail tin, add ice and shake hard. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled Nick & Nora glass and garnish with a cucumber ribbon. The cucumber honey syrup can be made by adding 1 cup of cucumber ends and peels and 1 cup of honey into a blender, blend for 30 seconds to 1 minute until well blended. Strain mixture through a fine strainer. Bottle and refrigerate.
Measure all ingredients into a cocktail tin, add ice and shake hard. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled Nick & Nora glass and garnish with a cucumber ribbon. The cucumber honey syrup can be made by adding 1 cup of cucumber ends and peels and 1 cup of honey into a blender, blend for 30 seconds to 1 minute until well blended. Strain mixture through a fine strainer. Bottle and refrigerate.
The Bear Fight bourbon margarita’s flavors include toasted oak, vanilla, and a hint of peppery spice.
Courtesy of Bear Fight Whiskey
While St. Patrick’s Day is often most closely associated with Irish coffee, there’s no reason not to enjoy a margarita in March. Bear Fight’s Kentucky Reserve bourbon is finished in reposado tequila barrels, which the brand says is “perfect for mixing up a St. Patrick’s Day margarita. With a distinctive blend of flavors including toasted oak, vanilla, and a hint of peppery spice, this cocktail has a unique twist that will leave you wanting more.”
Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass. Dip the rim into a small dish of coarse salt. Add bourbon, Cointreau, lime juice and agave syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into the glass over ice and garnish with lime wheels.
The Matchatini Crème Latte features Kin Euphorics, a nonalcoholic drink that was co-founded by fashion model Bella Hadid.
Courtesy of Kin Euphorics
Kin Euphorics, a nonalcoholic drink that was co-founded by fashion model Bella Hadid, has crafted this mocktail recipe with Dr. Andrew Weil, an expert in matcha and medicinal plants. The brand says this concoction is “a gentle yet invigorating lift that leaves you feeling both energized and grounded. Maca stirs your inner fire, Maitake brings balance, and Ashwagandha wraps it all together by soothing stress and cultivating a sense of calm.”
Add a shot of Matchatini and milk to a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and matcha. Enjoy; it’s really that easy.
Mine Hill Distillery uses local rye and malt in Connecticut to produce the company’s whiskey.
Courtesy of Mine Hill Distillery
Produced in Connecticut, Mine Hill Distillery uses local rye and malt to achieve a whiskey the brand says has a “genuine grain character, yet not one that overpowers with spice.”
Fill a mule mug (or glass of your choice) with ice. Pour in the Mine Hill Rye Whiskey and lime juice over the ice. Top with ginger beer, stirring gently to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge, a sprig of fresh mint, and a light sprinkle of edible gold flakes for that extra touch of sparkle.
