Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th every year. It’s an Irish holiday that brings many people to bars and restaurants. They enjoy green food for Saint Patrick’s Day alongside great drinks like whiskey, beer, popular cocktails, and mocktails.
If you happen to be a business owner who is looking for specific ideas on how to host an unforgettable Saint Patrick’s Day party, you should stick around. Below, you will find more in-depth information about drinks you can serve for the occasion, creating your own green beverages, and painting whiskey with the right foods.
Sounds interesting? Let’s get right into it!
Modern & Traditional Saint Patrick's Day Beverages
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is an old tradition. The first time people honored this day was back in 1631. Over time, a few drinks have become traditional options for the celebration. But every so often, there are new cocktail drinks and other beverages that stand out of the rest.
Let’s see which drinks are considered a tradition for this holiday!
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8 Traditional Saint Patrick’s Day Beverages
Traditional Saint Patrick's Day beverages often include drinks that are associated with Irish culture and heritage. Classic options include:
- Guinness Stout
- Irish Coffee
- Irish Whiskey
- Irish Cream Liqueur
- Irish Ale or Lager
- Cider
- Whiskey Sour
- Hot Toddy
7 Modern Saint Patrick’s Day Beverages
For those looking to add a modern twist to the celebrations, here are some creative drink options:
- Irish Mule (a variation of the classic Moscow Mule)
- Leprechaun's Potion
- Shamrock Martini
- Pot o' Gold Punch
- Emerald Isle Sparkler
- Luck of the Irish Margarita
- Irish Cream White Russian (a variation of the classic White Russian)
You can use the recipes of other popular cocktails and turn them into Saint Patrick’s Day beverages by adding green food coloring or green garnishes. Change the name of the drink to fit the occasion to make it even more festive. Your guests will appreciate this attention to detail!
Best Beers for Saint Patrick’s Day
Good beers are a must for any bar or restaurant beverage inventory. Your beverage menu needs to have different beer options - from regular beers to craft beers. Gluten-free options and low-alcohol ones are also good to offer.
Beer is the most popular beverage in the United States. That’s why it’s crucial to offer it all year round. Especially so when you are planning the Saint Patrick’s Day beverages list. Beer pairs well with popular green food for Saint Patrick’s Day, too.
Which Are the Best Beers for Saint Patrick’s Day?
To celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day authentically, stock up on Irish beer. Since the holiday celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish, it’s recommended to serve Irish-inspired foods and drinks.
Irish beer is the best type of beer to serve on Saint Patrick’s Day, without a doubt. Here’s a full list of brands and types of beer to offer.
1. Irish Dry Stout - Guinness Draught
2. Irish Red Ale - Smithwick's Irish Ale
3. Irish Cream Ale - Murphy's Irish Red
4. Irish Lager - Harp Lager
5. Irish Pale Ale - Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale
6. Craft Irish Beers - O'Hara's Irish Stout
7. Irish Hard Cider - Magners Irish Cider
America’s Best Beers to Serve on Saint Patrick’s Day
If you are having trouble sourcing Irish beer for Saint Patrick’s Day or you want to offer different types, below we have narrowed down the best American beers.
1. American Craft Beers:
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
- Samuel Adams Boston Lager
- Stone IPA
2. American Irish-Style Beers
- Brooklyn Dry Irish Stout
- Great Lakes Conway's Irish Ale
3. Regional Favorites & Craft Brewery Offers
Every state and region has its own beers, so make sure you look into that. In case there is a specific beer type that locals are used to order, you must offer it.
You should also contact local craft breweries and see what they have to offer for Saint Patrick’s Day. The unique brews will help you bring a better experience for your customers.
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10 Green Mocktails to Make This Saint Patrick’s Day
To honor the holiday and make your customers happy, look into what food is eaten on Saint Patrick’s Day and prepare the beverages. The easiest way to make a drink appropriate for the occasion is by adding green. Whether you make the whole cocktail green or add a green element to it - it doesn’t matter. Green cocktails and mocktails are a hit on Saint Patrick’s Day!
To inspire you, we have prepared a list of green mocktails you can make for the occasion.
1. Shamrock Spritzer
Ingredients needed:
- Sparkling water
- Green apple syrup
- Lime juice
- Fresh mint leaves
How to make Shamrock Spritzer:
- Mix sparkling water with a splash of green apple syrup and lime juice in a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves to add freshness and visual appeal to the drink.
2. Emerald Cooler
Ingredients needed:
- Cucumber slices
- Lime juice
- Honey syrup
- Sparkling water
How to make Emerald Cooler:
- Muddle cucumber slices in a glass with lime juice and honey syrup.
- Add ice and top with sparkling water.
- Stir gently and garnish with a cucumber slice.
3. Minty Limeade
Ingredients needed:
- Limeade concentrate
- Fresh mint leaves
- Club soda
How to make Minty Limeade:
- Fill a glass with ice and add the ingredients.
- Tear the mint leaves and add them to the drink. This way, they release their flavor.
- Stir gently and garnish with mint leaves.
4. Lucky Lemonade
Ingredients needed:
- Lemonade
- Kiwi slices
- Fresh basil leaves
How to make Lucky Lemonade:
- In a glass filled with ice, pour lemonade over sliced kiwi and torn basil leaves.
- Stir well and garnish with a kiwi slice on the rim.
5. Green Tea Mojito
Ingredients needed:
- Green tea
- Lime juice
- Simple syrup
- Fresh mint leaves
How to make Green Tea Mojito:
- Brew green tea and let it cool.
- In a glass, muddle fresh mint leaves with lime juice and simple syrup.
- Add ice, pour in green tea, and stir gently.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge.
6. Sparkling Kiwi Cooler
Ingredients needed:
- Kiwi puree
- Sparkling water
- Lime juice
- Agave syrup
How to make Sparkling Kiwi Cooler:
- In a shaker, combine kiwi puree, lime juice, and agave syrup with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with sparkling water.
- Garnish with a kiwi slice.
7. Pineapple Mint Cooler
Ingredients needed:
- Pineapple juice
- Coconut water
- Fresh mint leaves
How to make Pineapple Mint Cooler:
- In a glass filled with ice, mix pineapple juice with coconut water.
- Tear mint leaves and add to the glass.
- Stir gently and garnish with a pineapple wedge.
8. Green Apple Fizz
Ingredients needed:
- Green apple juice
- Ginger ale
- Lime juice
How to make Green Apple Fizz:
- Mix green apple juice with ginger ale and a splash of lime juice in a glass filled with ice.
- Stir gently and garnish with an apple slice.
9. Honeydew Basil Refresher
Ingredients needed:
- Honeydew juice
- Lemon-lime soda
- Fresh basil leaves
How to make Honeydew Basil Refresher:
- In a glass filled with ice, combine honeydew juice with lemon-lime soda.
- Tear basil leaves and add to the glass.
- Stir well and garnish with a basil sprig.
10. Cucumber Cooler
Ingredients needed:
- Cucumber juice
- Tonic water
- Lime juice
- Agave syrup
How to make Cucumber Cooler:
- Mix all of the ingredients in a glass full of ice.
- Stir gently and garnish with a cucumber slice.
Unique Irish Shot Recipes for Saint Patrick’s Day
Irish-inspired shots have become bolder in the latest years. With many new flavors emerging each year, there’s always a modern twist on the Irish Car Bomb, Whiskey Ginger, and Irish Flag shots.
If you want to know more about the current trends in Saint Patrick’s Day beverages and specifically shots, keep reading this section.
Irish-Inspired Shots: Latest Trends
Many are surprised to learn that Irish shots come in a wide range of flavors. Prices also vary depending on the ingredients used to make them.
Beginning with the classic Baileys, this ingredient aligns with the earthiness of Irish whiskey. Some shots have a crisp, sour “pickleback” on occasion. Overall, their diversity and vibrant colors help them appeal to a larger crowd.
Explore some of the diverse flavors to choose from as you decide on which shots to include in your Saint Patrick’s Day beverages list.
Surprising Ingredients in Shot Recipes
Irish shots draw on many common liquors, including Irish whiskey and peach schnapps. Many bartenders use Jack Daniel’s, Irish Mist, and Bailey's Irish Cream. Guinness and Jameson also have their importance for making great Irish-inspired shots.
As time passes, Irish shots get more creative. That’s achieved typically by using liquors that may not be associated with tradition. For example, many coffee and orange liqueurs can pair well with beer and whiskey shots. They can also include many non-alcoholic ingredients, too. The Irish Breakfast shot calls for bacon and orange juice, for example.
Unique Presentations for Irish Shots
Irish shots should be garnished to enhance their taste and appeal. There are many ingredients to choose from. That’s because Irish liqueurs and different types of alcohol continue to gain popularity.
Shots using Guinness, for example, can be sprinkled with cocoa powder or garnished with a chocolate coffee bean for added flavor and visual appeal. There’s also plenty of opportunity to dip the rim in chocolate, especially when using liqueurs like Baileys.
The carved peel of citrus as well as decorative ice can also be used when garnishing Irish shots. No matter what garnishes you choose to use, they will help you attract customers for these Saint Patrick’s Day beverages.
Irish Shot Recipes to Try
To give you some inspiration, we have gathered a few recipes for Irish shots you should give a try.
1. Irish Car Bomb Recipe
Ingredients:
- Irish whiskey
- Baileys Irish Cream
- Guinness stout
Instructions - Combine Irish whiskey and Baileys Irish Cream in equal parts into a shot glass. Add the Baileys first, then slowly add whiskey to create a layered effect. When ready to serve, drop the shot glass into a half-full glass of Guinness.
2. Baby Guinness Shot Recipe
Ingredients:
- Coffee liqueur
- Irish cream
Instructions - To make your Baby Guinness shot look authentic, use the back of a spoon while pouring the Irish cream over the coffee liqueur. This will give the shot a more accurate and enticing appearance with a thin white layer at the top to resemble a freshly poured pint of stout.
3. Nutty Irishman Shots Recipe
Ingredients:
- Irish whiskey
- Baileys Irish Cream
- Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur)
Instructions - If you want, rim the edge of a shot glass with chocolate syrup and crushed nuts. Pour the Frangelico or hazelnut liqueur into the glass. Avoid spillage on the sides. Slowly add the Baileys Irish Cream and Irish whiskey over the back of a bartender’s spoon to create layers.
4. Irish Flag Shot Recipe
Ingredients:
- Creme de menthe
- Baileys Irish Cream
- Grand Marnier liqueur
Instructions - Pour the creme de menthe into the shot glass. Gently add Bailey's Irish Cream as a second layer. Top the shot off with a carefully poured third layer of orange liqueur. You can use Grand Marnier or Triple Sec. The layering can be achieved with a bartender spoon.
Perfect Food and Whiskey Pairings for Saint Patrick's Day
Whiskey is one of the most popular types of alcohol. It comes from Scotland and Ireland, but it’s consumed in lots of other countries. The USA and the UK are two of them that surely appreciate good whiskey.
If you are wondering what’s common between these two countries, know that they are the ones that celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. This holiday requires having a great list of Saint Patrick’s Day beverages, especially if you own a bar or restaurant.
Since we already covered the other parts of the beverage menu for Saint Patrick’s Day, it’s time to talk about pairing whiskey with food in the best possible way. Let’s jump right into it!
Food That Goes Well with Whiskey
It pairs exceptionally well with a variety of meals because of its complex flavors and unique character. Below, you can find a list of foods that will help you create outstanding whiskey pairings!
Rich and fatty foods
- Grilled steaks
- Barbecue
- Burgers
- Cheeses
- Dishes with creamy sauces
Smoked and grilled meats
- Smoked brisket
- Pork ribs
- Charred lamb chops
- Grilled sausages
Aged and blue cheeses
- Cheddar
- Gouda
- Roquefort
- Stilton
Dark chocolate and desserts
- Dark chocolate
- Chocolate truffles
- Bread pudding
- Chocolate cake
- Crème brûlée
Spicy and savory dishes
- Spicy barbecue chicken wings
- Spiced seafood
- Indian curries
- Mexican mole
Nuts and charcuterie
- Mixed nuts
- Salted almonds
- Cured meats like prosciutto or salami
- Artisanal cheeses
Citrusy and fruity dishes
- Glazed pork chops with apple compote
- Grilled peaches with honey
- Citrusy desserts like a lemon tart or orange cake
Saint Patrick’s Day Beverages & Food Pairings: Whiskey Edition
After we discussed the basics of food and whiskey pairings, it’s time to focus on dishes perfect for Saint Patrick’s Day. Traditional Irish meals are the best option for this occasion. However, there could always be exceptions.
Look at this list for inspiration:
- Meat stew and whiskey
- Corned beef and cabbage with rye whiskey
- Shepherd's pie with Scotch whiskey
- Soda bread with bourbon
- Cheddar cheese with single-malt Irish whiskey
- Smoked salmon with Irish whiskey
Saint Patrick’s Day Beverages and Building a Great Inventory
Since Saint Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, it’s time to start planning what you are going to serve. Get inspired by the recipes we shared and the recommendations for different brands of alcohol.
If you want to make managing your restaurant’s or bar’s beverage inventory easier, you need BinWise. Our platform will help you save time and money by streamlining the inventory management process. You will be able to analyze data with ease and even do digital ordering!
Find out more by booking a demo today!