Nowadays, St. Patrick’s Day has become associated with drinking and having a good time. But this wasn’t always the case. It wasn’t just about wearing green, enjoying parties and parades. You may be surprised to learn about the holiday’s origin!
History of St. Patrick’s Day
The reason St. Patrick is probably the most well-known saint is that the day has become such a cause for celebration. However, a lot of people don’t actually know that much about him.
St. Patrick is strongly associated with the Irish culture and symbolism, but he wasn’t actually born in Ireland. He was born in Romain Britain in the late fourth/early fifth century and as a boy, he was taken to Ireland as a slave.
Along the way, St. Patrick became linked to shamrocks, the colour green and a host of other traditions we associate with St. Patrick’s Day.
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day
The tradition of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is widely believed to have come from the United States, rather than Ireland. This is due to Irish immigrants being eager to honour their culture and celebrate their national pride.
Today, St. Patrick’s Day has become a day to celebrate with green beer or Irish whiskey.
Alcoholic St. Patrick's Day Cocktails
So, if you’re throwing a St. Patrick’s Day party, make sure you have the drinks to get it started! Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of Guinness, we’ve got some great fun and festive alternatives for you.
We’ve put together some St. Patrick’s Day cocktails that are PERFECT for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. And, if you’re running out of supplies, Drinks House 247 have got you covered. We’ve got whiskey, rum, and vodka to make any party a hit.
Frozen Mango Mojito-Rita
This is a mix between a mojito and a Margarita, but frozen! Our ingredients serve two people.
Ingredients
- 100ml of silver tequila
- 50ml of lime juice
- 50g of frozen mango chunks
- 2 teaspoons of honey
- Fresh mint leaves
- Ice
- Sea salt
- Lime wedge
Method
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of two Margarita glasses and then coat in salt.
- In a blender, add tequila, lime juice, mango chunks, honey and mint leaves.
- Blend the ingredients until it’s all combined and then add the ice and blend until it’s slushy.
- Divide between your prepared glasses and serve with lime and fresh mint.
Boozy Lucky Charms Milkshake
What a treat for St. Patrick’s Day! Celebrate in style with this boozy milkshake. Our ingredients serve 2 people.
Ingredients
- 100ml of vodka
- 100g of lucky charms
- 150ml of milk
- 300g of vanilla ice cream
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Whipped cream
Method
- Put the cereal into a food processor, or put them in a food bag and crush them until powdery.
- Add the milk to a large bowl and pour in the blended cereal. Stir this to combine and let it sit at room temperature for half an hour.
- After this time, add this with the ice cream, vodka, and vanilla extract and put it into a blender.
- Blend until combined and divide between two milkshake glasses.
- Top with whipped cream and extra cereal pieces.
St. Patrick’s Day Green Dublin Cocktail
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this sour and sweet green cocktail. Our ingredients serve 2 people.
Ingredients
Method
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add all the ingredients in.
- Shake for 30 seconds.
- Divide between two Martini glasses and garnish with mint and apple slices.
Irish Mudslide
Add a dash of Jameson’s and green food colouring to this mudslide to make it a nice treat. Our ingredients serve 2 people.
Ingredients
- 100ml of Jameson’s
- 100ml of Bailey’s
- 50ml of coffee liqueur
- 200ml of milk
- Ice
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate sauce
- Green food colouring (optional)
Method
- Add all the ingredients to a blender and combine until smooth.
- Divide between two highball glasses and top with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.
Bailey’s Mint Martini
Mint cream liqueur paired with Bailey’s is the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day drink. Our ingredients serve 2 people.
Ingredients
- 100ml of Bailey’s
- 100ml of mint cream liqueur
- 50ml of vodka
- 100ml of milk
- Ice
Method
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the ingredients to it.
- Shake well for 30 seconds.
- Divide and strain between two Martini glasses.
- Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Irish Coffee
Coffee and whiskey never tasted so good. Our ingredients serve 2 people.
Ingredients
- 100ml of Jameson’s
- 100ml of brewed coffee
- 250ml of hot water
- 2 teaspoons of light brown sugar
- 50g of heavy cream
- Chocolate shavings
Method
- Fill 2 mugs with hot water and let them sit for 2 minutes.
- Pour out the water and add 1 teaspoon of light brown sugar to each mug.
- Add the hot coffee and stir to dissolve the sugar, then add the whiskey.
- Whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form, and top the coffee with the cream.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings.
Sparkling Shamrock Champagne
Not a fan of the pints? Try this delicate flute of bubbly. Our ingredients serve 2 people.
Ingredients
- Dry Brut champagne
- Melon liqueur
- Melon balls
- Green sugar (sugar mixed with green food colouring)
Method
- Take a melon ball and run it around the rim of two champagne flutes and dip the rims into the green sugar.
- Pour the melon liqueur into a glass and then add the champagne.
- Put a melon ball on a toothpick and cover it in the green sugar and place it on top of the champagne flute.
Jameson’s Whiskey Jell-o Shots
Swap vodka for some Irish whiskey and make your Jell-O shots holiday-appropriate.
Ingredients
- 100ml of Jameson’s
- 50ml of lime juice
- 200ml of water
- 50g of sugar
- Mint leaves
- Green food colouring
Method
- Place the mint leaves in a small dish and add a teaspoon of sugar. Using a wooden spoon, press down on the leaves and twist. Repeat a few times and set aside.
- Pour water and lime juice into a medium pan and whisk to combine.
- Add some more sugar and the crushed mint leaves into the pan. Whisk to combine.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat for 5 minutes, mixing gently until it’s hot, and the sugar has dissolved.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes.
- Strain the liquid and remove the mint leaves and add the whiskey and green food colouring.
- Spray silicone moulds with cooking spray and carefully pour the liquid into them.
- Refrigerate overnight.
- Remove from the moulds and place on a tray and garnish with mint leaves.
Baby Guinness Shot
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Take a shot (or two) and enjoy!
Ingredients
Method
- Pour the coffee liquor almost to the top of a shot glass.
- Gently layer the Irish cream on top to create the ‘head of the Guinness’.
Irish Flag Shot
Create a shot that is layered with the Irish flag colours.
Ingredients
- ⅓ mint cream liqueur
- ⅓ Bailey’s
- ⅓ orange-flavoured liqueur
Method
- Very slowly, add each layer of alcohol into a shot glass.
- Refrigerate for a few hours.
Non-Alcoholic St. Patrick's Day Cocktails
Not a fan of drinking? Or do you want to cater for friends who don’t drink? No problem! We’ve got three delicious non-alcoholic St. Patrick’s Day cocktails that are easy to make.
Shamrock Shake
This is a great treat for both the old and young. Our ingredients serve 2 people.
Ingredients
- 150g of mint chocolate ice cream
- 50g of milk
- 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract
- 1 teaspoon of green food colouring
Method
- Add the mint chocolate ice cream to a blender and add the milk.
- Sprinkle the peppermint extract and green food colouring into the mixture.
- Blend once more and serve.
Lemon Basil Non-Alcoholic Daiquiri
If sweet cocktails aren’t your thing, try this sour concoction. Our ingredients serve 2 people.
Ingredients
- 8 basil leaves
- Juice of 2 large lemons
- 2 teaspoons of sugar
- 2 teaspoons of water
- Ice
Method
- Combine all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Divide between two daiquiri glasses.
Lime Sherbet Punch
This is a perfect non-alcoholic drink to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Ingredients
Method
- Add all the ingredients (except the sherbet) into a large punch bowl and stir to combine.
- You can add the sherbet directly to the punch bowl or to each individual glass when ready to serve.
