Top 5 Green Cocktails to Sip on St. Patrick’s Day

1. The Green Dublin Cocktail

A popular St Paddy’s cocktail recipe, the Green Dublin features the best of Irish whiskey in a jolly green glass that’s just perfect to roll out when entertaining on March 17th.

Ingredients

• 4 oz Irish Whiskey (Jameson or Tullamore DEW)
• 4 oz white cranberry juice
• 2 oz sour apple Schnapps

Garnish: Fresh mint sprig, 1 green apple cut thinly

Method

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all the ingredients and shake for 30 seconds.

Serve in a martini glass and garnish with mint and a slice of green apple.

2. The Souped Up Shamrock Shake

Sure, you can hit McDonald’s on St Paddy’s Day for the violent green goodness of the annual Shamrock Shake, or you can craft a cracking version of your own and booze it up considerably (remembering, as always, to drink responsibly).

For those who enjoy a great green cocktail recipe you can chew on (you can treat it like Guinness), you can use less milk or add more ice cream to adjust the consistency to your preference.

Ingredients

• 4-5 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1/4 -½ cup milk
• 2 oz green Creme de Menthe
• 2 oz vanilla vodka (Absolut or Grey Goose are good cocktail options with a vanilla expression)
• A splash of green food coloring

Garnish: Whipped cream, sprinkles, and Maraschino cherry

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Put the green drink mixture into the biggest cocktail glass you can find, then go nuts on the sugar with the whipped cream and sprinkles. Add a Maraschino cherry on top to make it pretty.

To make a non-alcoholic version of the Shamrock Shake, it’s a matter of substituting the creme de menthe with a tablespoon of peppermint extract to give it the minty taste and leaving out the vodka entirely.

3. The Green Demon

If you’re looking for a green cocktail with a punchy flavor and a nice kick, look no further than the Green Demon. It’s heavy on alcohol but blends together into a tasty concoction that will keep you moving during St Patrick’s Day.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Midori Melon Liqueur
• 1 oz vodka (for this cocktail I’d recommend an inexpensive clean vodka like Skyy or Smirnoff)
• 1 oz white rum (Brugal Extra Dry is a bit lighter in the pants than Wray and Nephew )
• Lemonade (or a combo of lime juice, club soda, and simple syrup)

Garnish: Fresh Lime wedge

Instructions

Combine the liquor into a large goblet or highball glass half-filled with crushed ice. Top glass with lemonade to taste. Stir together and serve with a fresh wedge of lime.

4. The Midori Illusion

Credit: Steve the Bartender

The Midori Illusion is always a popular green cocktail recipe, especially with the younger crowd looking to share a few great tasting shooters amongst themselves. When I was coming up, an Illusion was the go-to dancefloor hit – all you needed was a jug and a shot glass or two.  It’s a deliciously sweet mix of melon and pineapple flavors and is a lovely green color to boot.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Midori Melon Liqueur
• ½ oz vodka (Go for something smooth like Purity vodka)
• ½ oz triple sec
• 1 oz lemon juice (can sub with lime juice)
• 2 oz pineapple juice (tinned is fine but fresh is best)
• Ice

Garnish: Pineapple wedge

Method

Add ice and all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake. Strain contents into an ice-filled rocks glass.

Garnish with a wedge of pineapple.

Note: If you’re hosting or part of a group, go for the Illusion shaker and a shot glass for everyone. It’s fun and friendly.

5. The Bailey’s Mint Martini

Credit: Lemon Tree Dwelling

There’s nothing like a little Bailey’s Irish Cream in your green cocktail for St Patrick’s day celebrations. If you aren’t looking to start the day with a fortified Bailey’s Irish coffee, then this might be the next best option.

The Mint Martini looks good, tastes great, and is certain to be popular; from the youngster with the fresh ID right through to your grandma who only drinks a glass on Paddy’s Day.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream
• 1 oz green Creme de Menthe liqueur
• 1 oz vodka (again, look for something smooth but inexpensive)
• 1 oz Half and Half (or milk if you prefer)
• Ice cubes

Garnish: Whipped Cream, chocolate flakes

Method

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes, then add the ingredients together. Shake thoroughly until the mixture is blended and bright green. Strain into a martini glass, or if you’re going large, a margarita glass.

Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate flakes, and serve immediately.