Take a break from the beer and cider to imbibe these St. Patrick's Day shots. Find recipes for Irish cream, Dublin drop, baby Guinness and more.
12 Festive St. Patrick’s Day Shots
Updated on Jan. 23, 2025
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Easy Irish Cream
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
15 min
Servings
5 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Stir up this fast and easy recipe for a potluck brunch. There's plenty of coffee flavor in every cozy cup.—Anna Hansen, Park City, Utah
Smooth and rich, Irish cream is a must on St. Patrick’s Day. Enjoy it as a shot on its own, over ice or in an Irish coffee.
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Green Tea Shot Recipe
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
5 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Named for its resemblance to green tea, this St. Patrick's Day favorite is made with whiskey, schnapps and sour mix. Then, top it with a splash of lemon-lime soda. Cheers! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Refreshing, fruity and even a bit warming thanks to the Irish whiskey, a green tea shot has a range of complex flavors that keeps it manageable. The bright peachy schnapps and sour mix sweeten, so no chaser is needed to get this on-theme green St. Patrick’s Day shot down.
Lucky Charms Pudding Shots
These Lucky Charms pudding shots from Nicole of Culinary Cool might be the cutest St. Paddy’s Day shots we’ve ever seen. White chocolate pudding, Irish cream, milk and pulverized Lucky Charms marshmallows come together for a shot you’ll want to double. It reminds us of these St. Patrick’s Day desserts that are even better than a pot of gold.
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Dublin Drop
This shot, which involves dropping a shot into a beer, is a favorite for St. Patrick’s Day parties in the U.S. It’s also known as an Irish slammer or Irish car bomb, but that name is considered offensive as it refers to a difficult time in Irish history.
To make it, pour 1/2 ounce Baileys into a shot glass and top it with 1/2 ounce Jameson. In a pint glass, pour half a Guinness Draught and let it settle. Then, drop the filled shot glass into the Guinness and drink the mixture quickly. Time is of the essence with this shot. The acidity of the Guinness will cause the Baileys to curdle if left to sit for more than a few seconds.
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Lucky Leprechaun Shots
Go fruity on St. Paddy’s Day with Toni Dash of Boulder Locavore’s lucky leprechaun shots. The sweet Midori, Malibu and pineapple juice shot makes for a change of pace flavor-wise. But the green hue is definitely leprechaun-approved.Also, check these St. Patrick’s Day breakfast recipes.
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Baby Guinness
If a Guinness stout isn’t your favorite type of Irish beer but you still want to feel festive, try a beer-less baby Guinness. It involves filling a shot glass three-quarters full with a coffee liqueur and topping it with Irish cream to resemble a tiny pint of stout.
To help the Irish cream float on top of the liqueur, grab a bar spoon and place it over the coffee liqueur, with the tip of the spoon slightly in the liqueur. Then pour the Irish cream very slowly on the spoon so it flows on top of the coffee liqueur.
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Mini Irish Coffee
A mini Irish coffee is the perfect scaled-down version of a traditional Irish coffee, which is one of our favorite Irish cocktails. The mini is made by filling a shot glass with half Irish whiskey and half coffee liqueur. Then, top it with whipped cream. To take it to the next level, make your own homemade whipped cream.
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After Eight
This coffee liqueur and Irish cream shooter from Elaine Benoit of Dishes Delish gets a cool and minty kick thanks to the addition of creme de menthe. Make sure you check out Elaine’s article on this after eight shot for her tips on forming perfect layers.
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Pickleback
Though it’s an American shot, a pickleback can be given an Irish twist for St. Patrick’s Day. Just serve a shot of Irish whiskey alongside a separate shot of pickle brine for this refreshing, vinegary shooter.
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Irish Flag Shot
It wouldn’t be a proper St. Patrick’s Day celebration without flying an Irish flag. This Irish flag shot from Mix That Drink does the trick. Carefully layer green creme de menthe, Baileys and Grand Marnier for a brightly colored shot that looks just like the flag of the Emerald Isle.
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Nutty Irishman
As the name suggests, a nutty Irishman shot uses hazelnut liqueur, like Frangelico, for a luscious, almost savory shooter. You can make it by combining equal parts hazelnut liqueur and Irish cream in a shot glass. Or, practice your floating skills and float the Irish cream on top of the liqueur. Did you know that Costco has their own Irish cream?
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Green Jell-O Shot
I love keeping a tray of these green-colored Jell-O shots in the fridge so guests can serve themselves as they please. They’re easy to make, and the green hue is wonderfully St. Paddy’s-esque.
To make 12 Jell-O shots, sprinkle 1 package lime or green apple-flavored gelatin into a saucepan over 1 cup water. Let the mixture stand for 1 minute. Then, cook and stir the mixture over low heat until the gelatin is dissolved. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and stir in 1/2 cup vodka and 1/2 cup cold water. Pour the mixture into 12 2-ounce shot glasses, then refrigerate the Jell-O shots until they’re set, about three hours.
St. Patrick’s Day Shots FAQ
What’s the best shot for St. Patrick’s Day?
There are many good shots for St. Patrick’s Day, but the best one comes down to your preference. For the most on-theme St. Patrick’s Day shot, layer up the Irish flag shot (slide 10). If you’re interested in something more creative, the Lucky Charms pudding shots (slide 3) are completely memorable. For something easy to make and serve, the easy Irish cream shot (slide 1) is simply Irish cream poured into a shot glass. Or, if you want something shockingly green to serve at your St. Patrick’s Day party, the lucky leprechaun shots (slide 5) will do the trick, while making the party extra-festive.
What else can you drink on St. Patrick’s Day?
If shots are a little too much for you and your guests, serve St. Patrick’s Day cocktails or Irish drinks at your party. Those more into whiskey will appreciate the slow sips of these Irish cocktail recipes made with Irish whiskey. If nothing else, make sure your fridge or coolers are stocked with Beamish or Guinness.
Which St. Patrick’s Day shot is the strongest?
The strongest St. Patrick’s Day shot is the Dublin drop (slide 4). The whole drink consists of three different types of alcohol: Baileys, Jameson and Guinness, with zero chasers or cutters to lower the 9% ABV.
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