What are traditional drinks for St Patrick's Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17th every year. It originated as a commemoration of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Over time, it has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture and heritage worldwide. Some of the most iconic symbols associated with St. Patrick’s Day festivities are shamrocks, leprechauns, and the color green. However, food and drinks also play a significant role in these celebrations.

There are a few traditional beverages that have become quintessential to St. Patrick’s Day revelries across the world. These drinks provide the perfect opportunity to get into the Irish spirit. Read on to find out more about the iconic libations associated with this joyous occasion.

Table of Contents

Guinness

One drink that immediately comes to mind when thinking about St. Patrick’s Day is Guinness. This dry Irish stout is synonymous with Irish culture. In fact, it’s the most popular beer in Ireland and has been brewed there since 1759. Guinness has a distinct burnt flavor that comes from roasted unmalted barley, which gives it its signature black color. It is made from just four ingredients – water, barley, brewer’s yeast and hops.

On St. Patrick’s Day, it’s common to see revelers enjoying pints of Guinness at bars, pubs and parades around the world. There is even a proper ritual to pouring and drinking a pint of Guinness to get its signature two-part pour with the perfect creamy head. Some fun facts about Guinness:

Over 10 million glasses of Guinness are consumed worldwide on St. Patrick’s Day alone.

Ireland is the #1 consumer of Guinness, followed by the UK and Nigeria.
9 million pints of Guinness are produced in Ireland each day.
Proper pouring and serving of Guinness is considered an art. The brewery even has Guinness Academies worldwide that train bartenders on the two-part pour technique.

So whether you’re at an Irish pub or a St. Paddy’s Day parade, you can’t go wrong with a properly poured pint of this quintessential Irish brew. Sláinte!

Irish Coffee

What better way to celebrate this Irish holiday than with a piping hot serving of Irish coffee? This cocktail brings together two of Ireland’s most iconic creations – Irish whiskey and coffee. It is served hot, with sugar, caffeine and whiskey blending together for a comforting yet potent drink.

The origins of Irish coffee can be traced back to 1943 at a restaurant in Foynes, Ireland called Foynes Flying Boat Museum. Chef Joe Sheridan first made this drink to serve travelers arriving from their transatlantic flights in need of warmth and cheer. The combination of strong coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar and whipped cream proved to be the perfect elixir.

Today, Irish coffee is served around the world on St. Patrick’s Day and beyond. To make it properly:

Start with a mug or glass filled with hot coffee.
Add in one shot of Irish whiskey.

Stir in a teaspoon or two of brown sugar until fully dissolved.
Lightly whip some heavy cream and float it gently on top of the drink.
Do not stir after adding the cream, as the true Irish coffee experience comes from drinking the layered beverage.

The quantity of whiskey can be adjusted based on preference. Enjoy the sweet creaminess contrasting with the strong coffee and spirituous flavors. Sláinte!

Irish Cream

For those looking for a sweeter, creamy take on Irish libations, Irish cream hits the spot. Irish cream is a cream liqueur made by blending Irish spirits with dairy and chocolate flavors. The most popular brand of Irish cream is Baileys Original. Here is some background on this beloved beverage:

Baileys Irish Cream was created in 1974. It combines Irish whiskey with chocolate, cream and vanilla flavors.

The whiskey used in Baileys comes from one of two distilleries located in Ireland – Roe & Co or Bushmills.
A standard bottle of Baileys has about 17% alcohol by volume (ABV).
It is best served chilled, over ice or in milkshakes and dessert cocktails.

Nearly 4 bottles of it are consumed per second globally.

The sweet, velvety taste of Irish cream makes it perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s celebrations. It also pairs very well with coffee. Some popular ways to enjoy Baileys or any Irish cream on March 17th include:

Serving it chilled on the rocks

Adding it to Irish coffee in place of regular cream
Using it in milkshakes with mint or chocolate
Layering it in dessert shooters with chocolate syrup

Mixing it in cocktails like mudslides or B-52

So if you have a sweet tooth, incorporate some Irish cream into your St. Patrick’s Day drinks menu. A little goes a long way in adding a touch of Ireland to any cocktail or dessert.

Irish Whiskey

At the heart of many St. Patrick’s Day beverages is Irish whiskey. Ireland produces some of the world’s finest whiskeys, which makes it perfect for celebrating the Emerald Isle. Here is a primer on this beloved spirit:

Irish whiskey has been produced in Ireland since the 6th century, making it one of the earliest distilled spirits in Europe.
The spelling “whiskey” is typically used for Irish and American whiskies, while “whisky” is used for Scottish, Canadian, and Japanese varieties.
Most Irish whiskey is triple distilled, giving it a smooth, light and approachable flavor profile.

Popular varieties include single malt, single pot still, blended, and grain whiskey.
Well-known Irish whiskey brands are Jameson, Bushmills, Tullamore D.E.W., Kilbeggan and others.

On St. Patrick’s Day, any quality Irish whiskey makes for an authentic choice to celebrate the holiday. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, in traditional Irish coffee or whiskey cocktails. Some classic St. Paddy’s Day cocktails to try include:

Irish Mule – Irish whiskey, ginger beer, lime
Irish Old Fashioned – Irish whiskey, bitters, sugar
Irish Sunrise – Irish whiskey, orange juice, grenadine

Shamrock Shot – Irish cream, Irish whiskey, green creme de menthe
Emerald Isle – Irish whiskey, green chartreuse, sweet vermouth

So whether enjoying your Irish whiskey straight up or mixed into a festive cocktail, a good Irish whiskey is a St. Patrick’s Day essential. Sláinte!

Green Beer

What St. Patrick’s Day would be complete without green beer? While not exactly an Irish tradition, green beer has become an iconic drink tied to these celebrations worldwide. Here’s the lowdown on this fun and festive beverage:

Green beer is made by adding food coloring, usually green, to lager style beers.
Any pale lager beer can be used including pilsners, light beers or pale ales.

The first known instance of green beer was in 1914 at the Schaefer Brewery in New York.
It rose to popularity on St. Patrick’s Day in the 1950s and 60s in America.
Green beers are commonly found at parades, pubs and parties on March 17th.

While kitschier than authentic Irish brews like Guinness, green beer provides a fun and festive drink to get into the St. Paddy’s Day mood. The color green is also symbolic of the rolling green hills and lush landscape of Ireland.

If making green beer at home, use only a tiny amount of FDA-approved food coloring to tint your favorite pale lager or ale green. Green beer keeps all of the flavor of the original beer intact, with just a festive dash of color. Sláinte!

Mulled Cider

For a non-alcoholic St. Patrick’s Day staple, warm up with a cozy mug of mulled cider. Mulled cider consists of apple cider mixed with holiday spices and served hot. Here is how to make this comforting potion:

Start with 1 gallon (3.78L) of fresh apple cider.
Add whole spices like cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, nutmeg, allspice berries, and orange slices and peels.
Optional spirits include Irish whiskey, spiced rum, or brandy.

Warm over low heat for 15-20 minutes while allowing flavors to meld.
Ladle into Irish coffee mugs and serve warm.

The sweet apple flavors, warmth, and spices are perfect for chilly St. Patrick’s Day parades and parties. Garnish with orange slices, cinnamon sticks or whipped cream. Mulled cider can also be enjoyed alcohol-free for an all-ages beverage. Sláinte!

Mead

For a truly ancient Irish libation, try mead on St. Patrick’s Day. Mead is an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting honey and water. It has been produced in Ireland for thousands of years, dating back to before the Middle Ages. In fact, legend claims that Saint Patrick himself encouraged beekeeping and mead-making.

Some interesting facts about this historic honey wine include:

Mead was likely brought to Ireland by early Celtic settlers.

In Medieval Ireland, mead was flavored with herbs, spices and fruit.
It is considered the world’s oldest fermented alcoholic drink.
Mead fueled ancient Celtic feasts and celebrations of all kinds.

Common varieties include dry, sweet, still, sparkling, sack and melomel (fruit-infused).

For a real taste of Irish heritage, seek out a quality mead to sample this St. Patrick’s Day. Dry and off-dry varieties work well if you prefer drier wines. Sweet and melomels appeal to those with a taste for sweet wines or ciders. However you try it, mead provides a delicious window into Ireland’s storied past. Sláinte!

Stout and Porter

In addition to the iconic Guinness stout, Ireland produces many other top-notch stouts and porters perfect for St. Patrick’s Day sipping. Here’s a guide to these brawny, full-flavored Irish beers:

Stout: Stouts are dark ales made with roasted malt or barley, lending coffee, chocolate and toasted flavors.
Porter: Porters are nearly black in color with robust malt flavors like chocolate, coffee and caramel.
Popular Irish versions include Beamish, Murphy’s, O’Hara’s, Porterhouse and others.

These styles often feature creamy, tan-colored heads when poured.
Irish stouts and porters pair well with rich foods like pot roasts, chocolate and smoked meats.

In addition to Guinness Draught, give other Irish stouts and porters a try this St. Patrick’s Day. Their bold, roasty malt complexity helps counterbalance rich holiday foods. Sláinte!

Irish Soda Bread

In addition to beverages, an Irish soda bread pairs perfectly with any libation on St. Patrick’s Day. Irish soda bread is a quick bread leavened with baking soda rather than yeast. Here is an easy traditional recipe:

Ingredients:

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
1 egg, lightly beaten

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, sugar and salt.

Using your fingertips, rub the cold butter pieces into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Make a well in the center and add in the buttermilk and beaten egg.
Gently mix everything together using a rubber spatula just until a dough starts to form.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead 3-4 times until it just comes together.
Shape into a circular loaf about 6-8 inches in diameter and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Use a sharp knife to cut an X shape into the top of the loaf.

Bake for 45-55 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Check center for doneness.
Remove from oven and let cool before slicing. Best enjoyed fresh.

This wholesome, rustic bread is the perfect pairing with any of the quintessential St. Patrick’s Day libations. Sláinte!

Conclusion

St. Patrick’s Day only comes once a year, so it’s essential to imbibe wisely. Traditional Irish drinks like Guinness, Irish coffee, Irish whiskey, and mead provide a taste of authentic Ireland. Or get into the festive spirit with green beer, Irish cream cocktails, or mulled cider. However you toast Saint Patrick, remember to drink responsibly and never drive intoxicated. Instead, take public transit or use a ridesharing service to get home safely. With some Irish music, food and good company, you’re sure to have a wonderful holiday full of cheer. Sláinte!