The Best Irish Whiskey Cocktails (That Aren’t Irish Coffees)

Look, I love Irish coffee. And I’m certainly enjoying a few of those over the next few days as we close in on St. Patrick’s Day. But Irish whiskey doesn’t have to be so limiting in cocktails! We’ve already argued that Ireland’s best export is a year-round treat that doesn’t only need to be consumed in the first three weeks of March. And in a mixed drink, the spirit shines, no matter the season.

“Irish whiskey is a wildcard,” says Lindsey Fern, the drinks director at Patty O’s Cafe & Bakery, a Virginia-based restaurant concept from the three Michelin-starred chef Patrick O’Connell. “It can be challenging to work with, primarily because it exhibits some of the greatest variation in the whiskey world just inside its own island.”

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In other words, the spirit’s greatest weakness in cocktails (variance) is also its greatest strength. If you’re making something on your own, test out a few Irish whiskeys beforehand to figure out the tasting notes; a barrel-finished Teeling will be different from a standard Jameson pour or a Powers Rye, for example.  

Below, we offer eight cocktails that utilize Irish whiskey. Our rules? No Irish coffees and nothing green. As you’ll notice, the highball gets a lot of love, as the more delicate and fruity notes do well in that classic drink. 

“The Dupont Storm is a sophisticated homage to the property’s Irish heritage, crafted to showcase the flavors of Teeling Single Malt Whiskey,” says Tom Murphy, general manager at Doyle Bar in Washington, D.C. “The inclusion of homemade Granny Smith apple syrup introduces a delicate sweetness that not only complements the whiskey’s fruity notes but also enriches its character with oak spice and ginger undertones, amplified by the addition of ginger beer, which imparts a warmth to the flavor profile. The Guinness float not only serves as a nod to the Irish roots but also adds a luxurious creaminess to the drink.”

“The Dublin Donkey is a great example of how a simple, well-known recipe can be modified slightly to create a much more interesting and well-balanced cocktail,” says Jake Larowe, lead mixologist at The Tam O’Shanter, which offers more than 625 whiskeys. “By taking the ubiquitous Moscow Mule and switching the mostly flavorless vodka for an Irish whiskey — with its lightly sweet grain notes and gentle woody flavors — you can highlight and showcase the notes of the whiskey and give the spiciness of the ginger beer something to push against.“

“Road to Gold was inspired by an Old Fashioned,” says Kelsey Kracke, the head bartender at Dear Irving. “The addition of Pedro-Ximenez sherry with a bright orange liqueur helps to add rich seasonal fruit and brightness to the drink. The butterscotch and vanilla notes from Slane Irish Whiskey make the sherry shine for a balance of sweet caramelized fruit and a bright bouquet of baking spices.” 

According to Patty O’s Lindsey Fern, this is an off-dry Manhattan cousin that utilizes a spiced Irish breakfast tea rapid infusion with a strong citrus suggestion. “Knappogue Castle can play a decent bourbon impression and brings a lot of vanillin qualities to the table while still having an assertive earthy quality found in other single malts,” she says. “Dolin Blanc provides just enough body and sweetness to sand down the edges of the more aggressive spirit notes of this cocktail, without taking a starring role. A humble barspoon of aromatized wine (Cocchi Americano) balances it all out.”

“This is essentially a very gingery, refreshing highball,” says Naren Young of Sweet Liberty Drinks and Supply Co. “It has a high spice level from the ginger and some nuttiness from the Frangelico and Amontillado sherry. The bitters also add an allspice character.” 

“This cocktail is an elevated riff on the Green Tea cocktail that incorporates real green tea,” says Ben Purvis, the beverage director at Fools and Horses in Portland, OR. “It’s named ‘Cape Clear’ after Ireland’s southernmost island, meant to reflect the tropical elements and subtle salinity of the coconut water addition.”

This Manhattan variation is named after the traditional Irish neighborhood in Queens, New York. “It also pays homage to Milk & Honey’s tradition in the early years of naming boozy stirred cocktails after NYC boroughs,” says Brett Esler of Murray’s Tavern in Austin, TX.

“I believe that this is a perfect cocktail for springtime,” says Jonathan Alder at NYC’s Shinji’s. “And I’d like to think this is a perfect drink for sipping in your apartment, which would be called a flat if you were in Ireland. The Powers Rye brings a robust character with wonderful spice, barrel notes, floral undertones and honey.” 

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