At Barvivo, we are fond of celebrating classic holidays the classical way. For St. Patrick's Day, we normally drink Guinness beer to our hearts' content... but our inner mixologist always yearns for more.
Fun, festive, sparkly, green —here are our handpicked St. Patrick's Day drink recipes to try this year, toast for good luck, and keep mischievous leprechauns away.
To prepare most of these cocktails, you will need a Cocktail Shaker and a Cocktail Muddler. Get yours from Barvivo now.
Elderflower Gin Cocktail
This is an easy, refreshing cocktail that is ideal to welcome the spring season. The light, fragrant, floral touch, with notes of citrus and pear, that the Elderflower liqueur adds to this cocktail is something we're very likely to try in other combinations.
2 ounces gin
1 ounce elderflower liqueur (we chose St. Germain)
3 ounces tonic water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
ice
Garnish: lemon wedges, mint leaves, cucumber twist
To a highball glass, add ice, lemon juice, gin, and elderflower liqueur. Top with tonic water and garnish with lemon wedges, mint leaves, and an optional speared cucumber twist.
Irish Mule
At Barvivo we can't resist the sheer elegance and flair of a cocktail copper mug, and that's why we're recommending this Irish Mule. If you have a soft spot for drinks that both look and taste amazing, this one's for you.
2 ounces irish whiskey
6 ounces ginger beer
1 ounce lime juice
ice
Garnish: lime slices, mint leaves
Fill a copper mug with ice, then pour in the whiskey and lime juice. Top with ginger beer. Stir lightly and garnish with lime slices and mint.
Pot of Gold
Even though this one's not strictly green, we couldn't find a cocktail that had a better name for a day such as this so that's why it made the list. The best thing of all, this is a simple, elegant drink that mixes ingredients that go perfectly together.
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce ginger beer
1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur (we used St. Germain)
5 cucumber slices
8 fresh mint leaves
ice
Garnish: cucumber slice, rosemary sprig (optional)
In the bottom of your cocktail shaker, muddle 4 slices of cucumber and 8 mint leaves. Add vodka, elderflower liqueur and ice. Shake thoroughly, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Top with ginger beer and garnish with the remaining cucumber slice and rosemary sprig.
Shamrock Shot
You can't do St. Patrick's Day without shots: these are a delicious, creamy mix of mint and chocolate which provide a superb backdrop for the Irish whiskey to shine.
1 1/4 ounces creme de menthe
1 1/4 ounces Irish whiskey
2 ounces heavy cream
4 dashes chocolate bitters
Garnish: Half an After Eight thin, whipped cream (optional)
To your cocktail shaker, add creme de menthe, whiskey, heavy cream, chocolate bitters, and ice, and shake until well-chilled. Strain into shot glasses (this recipe should yield two shots). Optionally garnish with half an after eight thin and whipped cream.
Irish Margaritas
Shaking up this deep green Margarita might be the best decision of your night, so get everything ready and dust off your glass-rimming skills. Everybody likes Margaritas and St. Patrick's Day makes no exception of it.
2 ounces Irish whiskey
1 ounce lime juice, juice from 1 lime
1/2 ounce orange-flavored liquor (triple sec or Cointreau)
1/2 ounce agave syrup
3 drops green food coloring
1/2 cup ice
Salt or sugar for the rim
Garnish: lime wedge
Combine whiskey, lime juice, orange liqueur, agave syrup, food coloring and ice in your cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds. Rim the margarita glass with salt or sugar. Strain the cocktail into the glass and garnish with a lime wedge.