10 Best St Patrick’s Day Cocktails

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

You might think that St. Patrick’s Day is only about Stouts and Ales, but who doesn’t love a good cocktail… especially a green one? 

With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best St. Patrick’s Day cocktails. And yes, they’re all green and absolutely delicious.

Get ready to sham-rock your taste buds! Sláinte!

1. Mint Julep
Made with just four ingredients—Bourbon, Mint Leaves, Simple Syrup, and Crushed Ice—the Mint Julep is a classic cocktail that offers a cool, minty flavor that marries perfectly with the rich, smooth caramel notes of Bourbon and the sweetness of Simple Syrup. 

Even though this cocktail is inextricably linked with the American South, you could swap the Bourbon for Irish Whiskey and create an Irish Julep. Here’s the recipe for a classic Mint Julep.

2. Appletini
The Appletini is a classic cocktail that epitomizes the spirit of the glamorous cocktail culture of bustling urban lounges and chic social gatherings of the 90s. 

Known for its distinct green color, the Appletini combines the tartness of Green Apples (think: Granny Smith) with the smoothness of Absolut Vodka. 

A little sweet, a little tart, the Appletini works like a charm on St. Paddy’s Day. Discover how to make an Appletini.

Interested in making an Appletini without alcohol? Check out our delicious Virgin Appletini recipe.

3. Flying Grasshopper
Hop into the spirit of St Patrick’s Day with the Grasshopper. This 3-ingredient cocktail combines the cool, minty flavor of Green Mint Liqueur, the sweetness of White Cacao Liqueur and the smoothness of Absolut Vodka.

It’s like a fresh breeze on a sunny Irish meadow. Learn how to make a Flying Grasshopper cocktail.

4. Vodka Mojito
Keeping the minty magic alive, the Vodka Mojito is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for St. Paddy’s Day. If you squint, those mint leaves might just look like shamrocks. 

To make a Vodka Mojito, muddle Mint Leaves with Simple Syrup, then mix in Absolut Vodka and fresh Lime Juice. Top it off with crisp, bubbly soda water, and garnish with a Mint Sprig and Lime Wedge. 

With a Vodka Mojito in hand, you’ll always feel lucky. Check out the recipe for a Vodka Mojito. And if you want to make a Mojito without alcohol, be sure to check out our Virgin Mojito recipe. It mixes Fresh Pressed Lime Juice, Mint Leaves, Simple Syrup and Soda Water for an incredibly refreshing mocktail.

5. Absolut Re-Tini
Get ready to shake things up this St. Paddy’s Day with the Absolut Re-Tini! We guarantee you’ve never had a cocktail like this one. It takes a little preparation, but it’s sure to be the talk of your St. Paddy’s Day celebration.

Absolut Vodka provides the cocktail’s smooth base, while a Syrup – wait for it – made from Pea and ‘Sad’ Herbs brings a truly unique aromatic flavor with its mix of Sugar Snap Peas and wilted Herbs (hence the term ‘sad’) like Basil, Coriander, Parsley, or Chives.

The tangy Tomatillo Juice pairs perfectly with the so-called ‘Trashcan Citrus Husk Olive Brine,’ made from Citrus Husks (Lemon or Lime leftover from juicing or cooking), Water, and Olive Brine. To add a little more spice to this already savory cocktail, finish it off with a dash of Coriander Powder.

Trust us, you’ve never tasted anything like it! Check out our recipe for an Absolut Re-Tini.

6. Vodka Basil Smash 
This one is all about the Basil. Green, herbal and delicious, the Vodka Basil Smash is sure to be a smashing hit for any St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

It mixes muddled Basil Leaves, the tang and zest of Fresh Lemon Juice and the smoothness of Absolut Vodka. And if you’ve got the luck of the Irish, it’ll be a sunny day, and you can sip your Vodka Basil Smash outdoors. Discover the recipe for a Vodka Basil Smash.

7. Matcha Cocktail
This cocktail is as green as the Emerald Isle. It mixes Absolut Lime, Fresh Pressed Apple Juice, Fresh Pressed Lime Juice, a dash of Simple Syrup, and…wait for it…a touch of Matcha. Matcha is a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed Green Tea Leaves, and it gives this cocktail its vibrant green color and unique taste.

This cocktail wouldn’t be complete, of course, without a sprig of Green Mint to garnish. Here’s how to make a Matcha Cocktail.

8. Absolut Lime Mule
Everyone loves a traditional Moscow Mule. But to truly embrace the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, we say go green. This lime twist on the classic Mule follows the same recipe but swaps Absolut Vodka for Absolut Lime. 

Garnish with a Lime Wedge or two, and you’ve got all the green you need to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day! Learn how to make the Absolut Lime Mule.´

9. Green Hat
Not to be confused with the Old Fashioned variation of the same name, this aptly-named Gin-based cocktail combines the botanical notes of Gin with the herbal complexity of Green Chartreuse, topped off with crisp Soda Water. 

Its captivating green hue is the perfect nod to the iconic hats worn by leprechauns. Grab your Cocktail Glass, put on your hat and let’s celebrate St Paddy’s Day! Here’s how to make a Green Hat cocktail with Gin.

10. Irish Coffee
Last but certainly not least, the most Irish of all drinks, the Irish Coffee. Invented in Limerick, Ireland in 1943, this classic cocktail, loved in pubs all over the world, mixes Irish Whiskey, Coffee, a teaspoon of Brown Sugar and Cream.

Rich, sweet and decadent, whether you’re toasting to good luck, or just good times, the Irish Coffee is a must-serve choice at your St. Paddy’s Day celebrations. Sláinte! Discover the recipe for an Irish Coffee.