With St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th of March, everyone’s going to have to be drinking something Irish. Luckily for those who wish to honour the man who banished snakes from Ireland and made shamrocks famous, this year the world is blessed with a wider range of Irish whiskey to drink than ever before.
For those adventurous types who like to try different whiskeys while also dabbling in the apothecarial practice of potion making, Irish whiskeys, and especially many of its more recent iterations are perfect for mixing. Like Irish people in general, their smoothness and eagerness to please makes Irish whiskeys a friendly and flexible companion in any glass, always seeking to add to the enjoyment rather than dominate proceedings.
So, this St. Patrick’s Day, though all Irish whiskeys are awesome on their own, if you’re looking to impress your friends or are just a fan of colours, here are seven excellent cocktail ideas for different Irish whiskeys:
Cloudy Apple (w/Teeling Small Batch)
A homely, fruity combination. Mix a measure (we’re not judging) of Teeling Small Batch with 25ml of lemon juice and 25ml of sugar syrup and pour over ice. Add half a measure of cloudy apple juice. Top off with a cloved apple slice if you wish to add some extra spice.
Whiskey Sour (w/ DWD Heritage Edition)
The Whiskey Sour is a cocktail classic that is still as popular as ever. To make it, mix a measure of DWD Heritage Edition with 25ml of lemon juice, a teaspoon of brown sugar, an egg-white and a dash of angostura bitters. Shake well and add a twisted lemon slice to finish.
Irish Iced Coffee (w/ The Whistler – 7 Year Single Malt – Irish Spirit Edition)
Though a great whiskey whichever way you have it, it also works excellently as a cool morning pick-me-up. Add a measure of The Whistler – Irish Spirit Edition, a double shot of espresso, half a measure of Kahlua and as much sugar as you normally take. Shake well and garnish with roasted coffee beans (if you have such a thing to hand).
Bloody Molly (w/ Jameson Crested)
One of the world’s most popular cocktails with an Irish twist. Mix a hardy measure of Jameson Crested with 150ml of tomato juice, two teaspoons of Worcestershire Sauce, 20ml of lemon juice, 20ml of lime juice, two teaspoons of tabasco, a small teaspoon of salt and two of pepper. Stir well with a celery stick and serve with celery in the glass.
The Irish Cocktail (w/ Slane Castle Whiskey)
Listed in Harry Johnson’s seminal Bartender’s Manual in 1888 this is certainly a whiskey cocktail to make an impression. Mix measure of Slane Castle Whiskey with a dash of absinthe, a dash of Maraschino liqueur and a dash of Angostura bitters. Mix in ice but strain before serving.
Old Fashioned (w/ Method and Madness Single Grain)
A simple but effective vehicle for a fine grain whiskey. An old fashioned glass, large ice-cubes, three dashes of angostura bitters and a measure of Method and Madness Single Grain. Stir well in the glass and serve.
Midleton Mule (w/ Jameson St. Patrick’s Day Edition)
An Irish take on a classic. A measure of Jameson St. Patrick’s Day Edition (for the day that’s in it) with a half measure each of lime juice and ginger syrup. Mix together and add 100ml of ginger beer.
