This festive and decadent drink will put you in the mood for the holidays with a delicious mixture of Caffè Borghetti Espresso-Coffee Liqueur (to give you that little extra eye-opening jolt), a top-quality spiced rum like Chairman’s Reserve, and eggnog. You can make your own eggnog — that’s always preferable. But I generally use a good-quality store-bought version.
Think of it as a very grown-up holiday version of a caffè latte. Enjoy!
St. Patrick's Day libations tend to be of a simple variety: beer, beer, and more beer. Sometimes green beer. If there's any liquor involved, it might be a shot of Jameson, but that's about it.
It doesn't have to be that way, though. There are many cocktails that are well suited for a St. Patrick's Day quaff — either because they're Irish-themed, they're green, or they're just plain delicious. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Spring is just around the corner, but it might still be cold where you are. If so, there's no better drink than an Irish Coffee. This is one of my all-time favorites.
Irish Coffee
1 1/2 oz Irish Whiskey 2 teaspoons Demerara Sugar 4 oz Hot Coffee Lightly Whipped Cream
In a preheated Irish coffee glass, add the sugar and whiskey and stir until dissolved. Add coffee, then float cream on top.
Here's an Irish version of the Manhattan, made with Irish Whiskey and a touch of Green Chartereuse. (Originally appeared in Hugo Ensslin's Recipes for Mixed Drinks, 1916.)
Tipperary
2 oz Irish Whiskey 1 oz Sweet Vermouth 1/2 oz Green Chartreuse
Stir with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Another variation on the Manhattan, this one created by Gary Regan.
Dubliner
2 oz Irish Whiskey 1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth 1/2 oz Grand Marnier 2 Dashes Orange Bitters
Stir with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a green maraschino cherry, if available.
One of the leading lights of the craft cocktail renaissance, this drink is a lovely pale shade of green.
Last Word
1/2 oz Gin 1/2 oz Green Chartreuse 1/2 oz Maraschino Liqueur 1/2 oz Lime Juice
Shake with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
This is the closest thing I could find to a St. Patrick's Day-themed Tiki drink. (See photo at the bottom of this post.)
Green Flash
2 oz White Rum 1/2 oz Blue Curacao 1 oz Grapefruit Juice 1 oz Passion Fruit Juice 1/2 oz Lime Juice 1/2 oz Simple Syrup Club Soda
Shake the first 6 ingredients with ice, then strain into an ice-filled collins glass. Top with club soda.
I don't know how this drink got its name — perhaps because it has enough booze in it to knock you over the head.
Irish Shillelagh
1 1/2 oz Irish Whiskey 1 oz White Rum 1/2 oz Sloe Gin 1/2 oz Lemon Juice 1/2 oz Simple Syrup 1 teaspoon Peach Schnapps
Shake with ice, then strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Garnish with fresh berries.
