10 Irish Cocktail Recipes

Taste of Home

Guinness Float

Guinness is already rich and creamy, so adding ice cream really takes it to the next level. This stout cocktail is equally delicious as a drink for dessert. Oh! also, add these Irish desserts to your list that will be perfect for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond.

Yield: 2 floats

1. Start by dividing 1 cup of ice cream between two pint glasses.
2. Then, pour 1 cup of Guinness (or another stout of your choosing) into each glass.
3. Top each float with 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup.

Enjoy this drink in your at-home Irish pub—we found everything you need to set one up!

Taste of Home

Irish Cream

We’re big fans of store-bought Irish cream (hello, Baileys!), but nothing beats the homemade stuff. It’s delicious mixed into coffee, served over ice or added to one of these Irish cream recipes.

Yield: 5 cups

1. Combine 2 cups half-and-half cream, 1 can dulce de leche or sweetened condensed milk, 1-1/4 cups Irish whiskey, 1/4 cup chocolate syrup, 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract in a blender.
2. Blend the Irish cream until smooth, then serve as desired.

Courtesy Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey

Green-Eyed Toddy

Nothing warms up a chilly night like a hot toddy. This green-hued version is reminiscent of the Emerald Isle.

Yield: 1 cocktail

1. Start by brewing some green tea.
2. Then, in a hot toddy glass or mug, layer in 1-1/2 ounces Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey, 1/2 ounce lemon juice and 1/2 ounce honey syrup.
3. Top your beverage with the tea and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Find more Irish whiskey cocktails.

Taste of Home

Irish Coffee

Whether you want to start your morning with something special or relax after a long day, an Irish coffee is a nice treat. For a more traditional flavor, you can leave out the creme de menthe.

Yield: 2 cocktails

1. Brew two cups of strong coffee. We recommend a French or other dark roast.
2. Divide 2 teaspoons sugar and 2 ounces Irish whiskey between two mugs. Stir 1 cup of coffee into each glass.
3. In a separate bowl, beat together 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream and 1 teaspoon green creme de menthe until thickened.
4. Gently spoon the cream mixture over each drink, then enjoy!

KATIE BANDURSKI/TASTE OF HOME

Black Velvet

Guinness, meet champagne. This luxurious drink is sweet, smooth and extremely effervescent.

Yield: 1 cocktail

1. You don’t need much for this drink—just equal parts Guinness and sparkling white wine. Pour the stout in first, then top with bubbly.

Guinness lovers—do you have a favorite mascot?

Courtesy Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey

Proper & Ginger

Sometimes the simplest drinks are the most refreshing. This delicious cocktail takes just two ingredients so anyone—yes, anyone!—can whip it up for happy hour.

Yield: 1 cocktail

1. Fill a highball glass with ice, then pour in 2 ounces of Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey.
2. Top your drink with 3 ounces of ginger ale, then stir. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Taste of Home

Irish Mule

A traditional Moscow Mule relies on vodka—but this Irish-inspired version trades it in for whiskey. Don’t forget the copper mugs!

Yield: 6 cocktails

1. In a pitcher, mix together 4 cups chilled ginger beer, 2/3 cup lime juice and 1-1/4 cups Irish whiskey.
2. Serve over ice in copper mugs, then garnish with lime wedges.

These are the best Irish whiskeys you can buy.

Courtesy Roe & Co.

Espresso Martini

A decadent twist on the classic Irish coffee, this martini is a delicious indulgence. Take it over the top by swirling salted caramel into your espresso shot.

Yield: 1 cocktail

1. Start by brewing a shot of espresso.
2. Combine 1-2/3 ounces of Roe & Co Irish Whiskey, 1/2 an ounce coffee liqueur, 1 ounce espresso and a splash of simple syrup in an ice-filled cocktail shaker.
3. Shake the mixture until combined, then double strain over fresh ice. (You can use either a rocks glass or martini glass).
4. Garnish with coffee beans or chocolate powder.

Courtesy Boulder Locavore

Double Irish Trouble

Toni Dash of the Boulder Locavore has perfected the adult milkshake. This 3-ingredient delight is as easy to make as it is to drink.

Yield: 1 milkshake

1. Combine 12 ounces of coffee ice cream, 1 ounce of Irish cream liqueur and Irish whiskey in a blender. (You can use either 1/2 an ounce or 1 ounce depending on how strong you’d like your shake to be).
2. Blend until smooth, then pour into a pint glass and top with a straw.

Courtesy Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey

Proper Sour

You can’t go wrong with a good sour. And this version keeps it simple with just a few main ingredients—no egg whites here!

Yield: 1 cocktail

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 ounces Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey, 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice and 3/4 ounce simple syrup.
2. Shake, then strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
3. Garnish with a lemon wedge and cherry.

Now, learn the difference between whisky and whiskey.