This is an Irish Whiskey Cocktail guide, it highlights fantastic Irish Whiskey cocktails, mixed drinks and includes some twists on the Classics. There are simple, straightforward recipes for use at home or in a bar which showcase how cocktails can be transformed through the use of Irish Whiskey. Although, as with every Bartender and Brand Ambassador nowadays showcasing their own unique twists, there’s nothing holding you back from improvising and modifying these recipes to your taste’s desire.
1. The Irish Coffee
When Joe Sheridan created the Irish Coffee, he first made it famous at theFoynesFlying Boat terminal in Co. Limerick before bringing it to the Buena Vista Café in San Francisco where it still reigns supreme. In the 1950’s the Irish Coffee travelled the world, becoming Ireland’s most famous cocktail and it’s still as great today… The ultimate welcome drink.
Ingredients:
- 35.5ml of Irish Whiskey
- 120ml freshly brewed coffee
- 1 level teaspoon of Demerara Sugar/ 15ml Demerara Sugar Syrup
- Lightly whipped heavy cream
Directions:
- Pre-heat a 6oz Irish Coffee glass
- Add the Irish Whiskey, Coffee and Demerara sugar and stir well.
- Pour the lightly whipped cream over a spoon to float on top.
Optional Garnishes: Grated Nutmeg or Grated dark chocolate.
Sugar Syrup prep: Combine equal parts sugar & water in a saucepan over medium heat, stir to dissolve the sugar and allow to thicken. Store in the refrigerator in bottles for up to 3 weeks.
2. The Irish Whiskey Espresso Martini
An Irish Whiskey rift on one of the most popular cocktails in the bars and restaurants throughout Ireland, the perfect pick-me-up and suitable for any dining occasion.
Ingredients:
- 35.5ml Irish Whiskey
- 35.5ml Fresh brewed espresso
- 15ml Kahlua/Tia Maria/Hot Irishman coffee liqueur
- 10ml Demerara Syrup
Directions:
- Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
- Fill shaker with Ice & Shake vigorously.
- Double-strain into your glass of choice.
We recommend using a ex-bourbon matured Malt or Pot Still bringing the sweeter notes to the fore to balance the bitter coffee.
This cocktail can be batched up and served as over-ice as a cold brew alternative, providing a refreshing options for parties & events.
3. The Irish Whiskey Old Fashioned
Dating back to the 1800’s, the Old Fashioned is one of the original Whiskey cocktails and is widely regarded as the most popular cocktail in the world. A cocktail with a punch, made even with Irish Whiskey delivering it.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Irish Whiskey
- 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
- 1 dash of Orange Bitters
- 15ml Sugar Syrup
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a mixing glass.
- Fill with ice & stir down.
- Strain into a rocks glass with ice.
- Spritz & Garnish with an Orange peel.
We recommend using a full-flavoured, robust ex-bourbon matured Irish Whiskey for a more traditional approach, or alternatively experiment with ex-sherry or ex-wine matured Irish Whiskeys and demerara syrup.
This cocktail can be easily adaptable & can be experimented with to accentuate different flavours.
4. Irish Whiskey Tipperary
Making it’s first appearance in Cocktail culture during World War I at a time when the song ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’ was a soldiers favourite. This classic Irish Whiskey cocktail remains popular today showcasing the triumphant use of Irish whiskey in cocktails for over 100 years.
Ingredients:
- 35.5ml Irish Whiskey
- 10ml Green Chartreuse
- 25ml Sweet Vermouth
- 2 dash Angostura Bitters
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a mixing glass.
- Fill with ice & stir down.
- Strain into your chosen glass, ice optional.
- Spritz & Garnish with an Orange peel.
We recommend a full-flavoured multi-cask matured Irish Whiskey for the Tipperary as you will need a whiskey which will stand up to the Chartreuse & Sweet Vermouth.
5. Irish Whiskey Boulevardier
Irish Whiskeys answer to the Negroni, a robust 3 ingredient stirred down cocktail containing only 3 ingredients. The perfect digestif and long evening sipper, a feast for the taste buds.
Ingredients:
- 35.5ml Irish Whiskey
- 35.5ml Sweet Vermouth/Antica Formula
- 35.5ml Campari
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a mixing glass.
- Fill with ice & stir down.
- Strain into your chosen glass, ice optional.
- Spritz & Garnish with an Orange peel.
We recommend using a robust ex-sherry matured whiskey in his cocktail to balance the bitterness of the Campari and allow the Vermouth to bring out the fruits in the whiskey.
6. Irish Whiskey Sour
The world-famous Whiskey sour reaches new depths of complexity with the inclusion of Irish Whiskey.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Irish Whiskey
- 25ml Fresh Lemon Juice
- 15ml Sugar Syrup
- 1 egg white
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
- Dry-shake vigorously with no ice to emulsify the egg white.
- Fill shaker with Ice & shake vigorously again.
- Double-strain into a Rocks glass.
Optional garnish of 3 drops of bitters which will combine with the flavour.
We recommend using any of your favourite Irish Whiskeys for cocktails in your whiskey sour. Each style, Pot Still, Malt, Grain or Blend will give you a unique Whiskey sour.
7. Bog Warrior
A peated Irish whiskey cocktail which has become a staple of menus curated by Ireland based Bartender Josko Babic. Exceptionally well rounded and balanced twist on a whiskey sour.
Ingredients:
- 35.5ml Peated Single Malt
- 20ml Tawny Port
- 15ml Lemon Juice
- 15ml Simple Syrup
- 3 Dash Orange Bitters; 1 Dash Angostura
- 1 egg white
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
- Dry-shake vigorously with no ice to emulsify the egg white.
- Fill shaker with Ice & shake vigorously again.
- Double-strain into a Rocks glass.
We recommend using a Peated Irish Single Malt to perfect this cocktail, alternatively a Peat cask matured whiskey can also be used.
8. Irish Whiskey Side Car
Irish Whiskey can also be a fantastic alternative for some of the more brown spirit forward Classics such as the Side Car. Traditionally made with cognac, a more fruit forward style of Irish whiskey brings out those more fruit driven notes.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Irish Whiskey
- 25ml Triple Sec/Cointreau
- 25ml Lemon Juice
Directions:
- Combine Ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake hard.
- Double-strain in a pre-chilled glass.
- Garnish with an Orange peel.
The fruitier the better for your Irish Whiskey choice here, any of your favourite Malts or Pot Still should work exceptionally well.
9. Irish Tiki Sour
The image of the island of Ireland with its wild Atlantic climate may be lightyears away from the image of an exotic, sun-kissed island in the tropics, but when it comes to cocktail Irish and Tiki go hand-in-hand. Substituting rum for Irish Whiskey makes for exciting possibilities.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Irish Whiskey
- 25ml Pineapple juice
- 25ml Orange Juice
- 15ml Lemon Juice
- 15ml Orgeat Syrup
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
- Fill with ice and shake vigorously.
- Double-strain in a long glass.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and an orange slice.
A sweet vanilla forward Blended Irish Whiskey will work incredibly well in this cocktail, balancing the juices to perfection.
10. Highballs
These built in the glass cocktails are shining stars throughout the best cocktail bars in the world. Famed for their refreshing flavours and their simplicity to make, the Irish Whiskey highball should be a staple of any cocktail selection.
Each cocktail can be built in the glass it will be served in, over ice and given a short stir before they are served. The simplicity & speed of preparation make these cocktails accessible to even the most traditional of Irish pubs.
Honey Hi-ball:
- 35.5ml Irish Whiskey
- 10ml Honey Syrup
- Top with Soda & garnish with a Mint Sprig
Apple Hi-Ball:
- 35.5ml Irish Whiskey
- 10ml Longueville House Apple Brandy/ Calvados
- 10ml Sugar Syrup
- Top with Soda & garnish with an apple slice
Lemon Hi-Ball:
- 35.5ml Irish Whiskey
- 15ml Lemon juice
- 2 dash of Angostura Bitters
- Top with Ginger Ale & Garnish with a Lemon Slice
Feel free to experiment with all styles of Irish Whiskey in your highballs of choice, picking flavour notes to develop and creating a refreshing session-able drink.
