This St. Patrick’s Day, ditch the green-dyed beer and opt for a sophisticated Irish whiskey sipper. With its mellow and smooth flavor, Irish whiskey makes a versatile base for all types of cocktails, from fruity and shaken to spirit-forward and stirred. Whether the day calls for something refreshing or warming (you never know this time of year, do you?), these recipes are simple to execute at home so you can be drinking in style come March 17th—no food coloring needed.
Five Irish Whiskey Cocktails
All recipes by Luna Kemp of Tipsy Moon Events
Irish Ginger Peach Smash
- 2 oz. Irish whiskey
- 4 peach slices
- 1 oz. agave nectar
- 3 oz. ginger beer
In a shaker muddle 3 peach slices. Add whiskey, agave, and ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a Highball glass filled with fresh ice and top with ginger beer. Garnish with the remaining peach slice.
Scailtin
- 2 oz. Irish whiskey
- 1 cup high-fat milk or milk alternative
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- ⅛ tsp. ground ginger
- ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Heat whiskey and milk in a saucepan on low heat—do not boil. Add remaining ingredients and whisk slowly while heating. Pour into a mug and top with ground nutmeg or cinnamon.
Irish Mojito
- 2 oz. Irish whiskey
- 8-10 mint leaves
- 2 fresh lime wedges
- ½ oz. honey
- 1 oz. lime juice
- Seltzer water
In a shaker muddle mint leaves and 1 lime wedge. Add whiskey, honey, lime juice, and ice and shake for 10 seconds. Pour into a Highball glass and top with seltzer water. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge.
Irish Old Fashioned
- 2 oz. Irish whiskey
- ½ oz. cognac orange liqueur
- ½ oz. sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Orange peel
Stir all ingredients except orange peel with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over a 2×2 ice cube. Twist an orange peel over the drink to release oils then add peel for garnish.
Irish Pomegranate Blueberry Lemonade
- 2 oz. Irish whiskey
- 3 oz. lemonade
- 2 oz. pomegranate juice
- Handful fresh or frozen blueberries
Shake all ingredients with ice for 10 seconds. Pour into a Highball glass and garnish with more blueberries.
