Find a pot of gold (or a Gold Rush co*cktail) at the end of the rainbow this year!
It's St. Patrick's Day and you're home drinking... a PBR? Boring! Even if you're avoiding the bar crawl (we totally get it), you can still have a little fun with your drinks at home. This holiday is all about the drinks, so don’t let it pass by without jazzing up what you’re imbibing (even it's just adding a little green to your beer). Lucky you, we’ve got everything from bright green co*cktails to boozy milkshakes. Check out our list of 38 St. Patrick’s Day drinks to get some inspiration (and likely feel the luck of the Irish as well). And who knows, you just might find a pot of gold (or a Gold Rush co*cktail) at the end of the rainbow!
If you want to make it a whole day affair, you can start your morning off right with an Irish coffee or a green Bloody Mary (no green dye here, just tomatillos!). From there, you’ve got almost too many options (why can't it be St. Patrick's Week, right?). We’ve stuck with some classic St. Patrick’s Day alcohols and flavors, like Baileys Irish Cream, Irish whiskey, and plenty of mint. We've even nailed down the best way to make a homemade Irish cream liqueur you'll absolutely want to keep on hand!
Mint is often used because creme de menthe turns drinks that classic green color, but we love using fresh mint too. While some people may only imbibe mint-infused co*cktails to cool off in the summertime, we say enjoy them early! What better time to bust out the juleps and mojitos than St. Patrick’s Day? Really, any light and fruity drink can be perfect for this holiday— just use lots of fruit and turn it into a rainbow, like in our layered fruit sangria. And you can’t forget shots! From Lucky Charms shots to pickleback Jell-O shots, we’re busting out all our creativity for shooters that’ll have you feeling extra lucky. Feeling overwhelmed? No judgment, just grab a Guinness and call it a day.
Want more St. Patrick’s Day inspiration? Check out our best St. Patrick's Day appetizers, Irish side dishes, and St. Patrick's Day desserts too.
1
Pot o' Gold Shots
These shots are so cute, we'd absolutely silly not to follow that rainbow. Want a nonalcoholic version? Swap out the whiskey for another 1/2 cup cold water.
Get the Pot o' Gold Shots recipe.
2
Shamrockaritas
Margarita lovers, rejoice! The Shamrockarita has arrived. Backed with tequila and lime, then spiked with sour apple liqueur, this festive take on the classic co*cktail will add the perfect flair to your St. Patrick’s Day party.
Get the Shamrockaritas recipe.
3
Green Apple Moscato Sangria
Super packed with fresh strawberries, apples, and oranges, this Olive Garden copycat is the perfect fruity green co*cktail to welcome in spring.
Get the Green Apple Moscato Sangria recipe.
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4
Nutty Irishman
The sweetness and subtle nuttiness of the hazelnut liqueur Frangelico is the perfect partner to rich Irish cream. The almost inevitable whipped cream mustache that follows is highly worth it.
Get the Nutty Irishman recipe.
5
Shamrock Smash
This St. Patrick’s Day, let’s all shamROCK and roll with a Shamrock Smash in hand. This minty green apple is the perfect St. Patrick's Day co*cktail to cheers with this holiday: It's so easy to make, but uses some of our favorite bartender tricks to make it extra special.
Get the Shamrock Smash recipe.
6
Gold Rush co*cktail
Fans of the whiskey sour to the front, please! The Gold Rush co*cktail is the whiskey drink you’re already in love with, with just a few changes that make it easy enough to make on St. Patrick's Day. It calls for honey instead of simple syrup, and doesn't call for any egg whites (so it's even easier to whip up).
Get the Gold Rush co*cktail recipe.
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7
Irish Mules
We figured it was only a matter of time before we took the Moscow mule on a road trip to another country. We settled on Ireland because we loved how the oaky, vanilla-y flavors that come from your favorite whiskey are so well complimented by the fresh ginger and lime. It’s the perfect slight twist on the classic that will surprise your guests and have them singing your praises (or maybe writing a limerick about you).
Get the Irish Mules recipe.
8
Rainbow Sangria
Layering fruit in your glasses makes for the best presentation, but don't worry—you can chuck it all into a pitcher and still call this sangria a rainbow!
Get the Rainbow Sangria recipe.
9
Espresso Mocha Crunch Mocktail
Looking for a St. Patrick's Day mocktail option? Everyone is espresso martini-crazed these days, but you don’t need to drink alcohol to enjoy this decadent trend! Our espresso mocktail packs a punch with an espresso base, creamy top, and tons of Oreo crunch with none of the alcohol.
Get the Espresso Mocha Crunch Mocktail recipe.
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10
Midori Sour
Get ready to expand your bartending repertoire with this classic co*cktail from the ’80s. It's fizzy, tangy, and best of all, electric green. Though it's far from traditional, we think this light and sweet bubbly drink is perfect for St. Patrick's Day.
Get the Midori Sour recipe.
11
Irish Coffee
The combination of sweetened coffee, Irish whiskey, and whipped cream makes this double hit of caffeine and booze perfect for the start or end of the night.
Get the Irish Coffee recipe.
12
Hot Toddy
A toddy is the perfect hot co*cktail to sip on when it's chilly out on St. Patrick's Day (or any old afternoon when you're feeling under the weather) Best part? You almost definitely have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now.
Get the Hot Toddy recipe.
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13
Last Word co*cktail
This gin-based classic co*cktail is sharp, sour, slightly sweet, and best of all, the loveliest shade of green (perfect to avoid getting pinched!). It also only requires 4 ingredients—gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.
Get the Last Word co*cktail recipe.
14
Spiked Hot Chocolate
We’ve all been there—you think you have *one* more pack of instant hot chocolate mix left, only to discover it was mixed up and consumed many cold days ago. Save the heavy sigh and make a batch on the stove for you and your boo with creamy whole milk, rich semisweet chocolate chips, and a little bit of whiskey to keep you warm on a chilly St. Patrick's Day.
Get the Spiked Hot Chocolate recipe.
15
Green Beer
You can't celebrate St. Paddy's without a pint of green beer. All it takes is a little green food coloring to keep you safe from any pinching!
Get the Green Beer recipe.
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16
Homemade Irish Cream Liqueur
To make a quick and easy homemade Baileys, you need: whiskey, half-and-half, sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, vanilla, and a blender. THAT'S IT. Who knew you could make something so deliciously boozy at home?
Get the Homemade Irish Cream Liqueur recipe.
17
Spiked Sparkling Basil Lemonade
Basil-infused vodka? Sign us up. This lemonade co*cktail brings out the sweetness of the herb and turns the spirit a vibrant green.
Get the Spiked Sparkling Basil Lemonade recipe.
18
Baileys Coffee Slushies
This super-boozy shake uses cold brew ice cubes, so it won't get diluted no matter how long it takes you to get to the bottom of the glass.
Get the Baileys Coffee Slushies recipe.
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19
Whiskey Tonic
We know what you’re thinking, Whiskey??? What in the world are you doing pairing whiskey and tonic? But before you judge us too much, we urge you to try this twist on the classic. The warm vanilla-y notes add a whole new dimension, especially when paired with classic G&T garnishes like cucumber and rosemary.
Get the Whiskey Tonic recipe.
20
Mint Julep
This minty co*cktail is perfect for when you want something lighter this St. Patrick's Day. It's only 3 ingredients (bourbon, simple syrup, and mint!), and the prep couldn’t be simpler.
Get the Mint Julep recipe.
