St. Patricks Day
A herbal, bubbly and sweet whiskey cocktail ∙ Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 20.2% ABV ∙
The St. Patricks Day is a green Irish whiskey sour shaken with herbal liqueur, crème de menthe, lime and sugar syrup, then topped with a little soda.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake the first 6 ingredients with ice: Irish whiskey 50 mlHerbal liqueur (e.g., Green Chartreuse) 10 mlCrème de Menthe green 10 mlLime juice 10 mlSugar syrup 10 mlAbsinthe 1 dash (opt.)
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Top with Soda water
- Garnish with a mint leaf (or shamrock) pegged to rim
Tips
- Shake everything but the soda, fine-strain into the chilled coupe, and add the 10 ml of soda last so it keeps its fizz.
History
This cocktail is a modern creation. It belongs to a lineage of Irish whiskey and green Chartreuse drinks that stretches back to early recipes such as the Shamrock. That drink, printed in the 1917 edition of Hugo Ensslin's Recipes for Mixed Drinks, paired Irish whiskey with French vermouth, green Chartreuse, and crème de menthe. The later St. Patrick's Day version builds on that herbal, green-hued combination but adds lime juice, sugar syrup, a dash of absinthe, and soda water, taking its name and vivid emerald color from the Irish holiday it is meant to celebrate.
FAQ
What is a good cocktail for St. Patrick's Day?
The St. Patricks Day fits the holiday: an Irish whiskey sour turned green by crème de menthe and an herbal liqueur such as green Chartreuse. It is served up in a coupe with a splash of soda on top.
Is there a shamrock cocktail?
Yes. The Shamrock, an older drink of Irish whiskey, French vermouth, green Chartreuse and crème de menthe, is an ancestor of the St. Patricks Day. That newer drink can also be garnished with a shamrock instead of the mint leaf.
