St. Patrick’s Day in America has become one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year for college students. Campuses and cities alike fill with people dressed in green, ready to celebrate Irish culture and the arrival of Spring’s warm weather. For many students, the holiday is the perfect excuse to gather with friends, visit local pubs, and watch the festive parades. The day is all about enjoying good company and embracing tradition, and the festivities last all week.
Many college students seem to overlook one of the most enjoyable parts of celebrating, which is crafting creative and festive drinks. Instead, they resort to the infamous borg, which stands for “Blackout Rage Gallon.” While the borg is cheap and is designed to get the job done, it certainly isn’t as fun as mixing cocktails with your friends and getting creative with your bartending skills. Here are some St. Patrick’s Day drinks that will surely add a little luck and flavor to your party while still being easy and affordable to make.
Midori Sour
Midori liqueur is a sweet melon-flavored liqueur known for its vibrant green color, making it the perfect base for a St. Patrick’s Day Drink. To make a Midori sour, simply mix Midori with vodka, lemon and lime juice, and then add a splash of soda water. You can also add a lime slice as a garnish on top to add more to that bold green color.
Lucky Hugo Tonic
This is the perfect light and refreshing cocktail if you want something a little less sweet. Inspired by a classic Hugo Spritz, this Lucky Hugo Tonic by @sipsbyeric brings fresh flavors for a crisp easy-to-sip drink. To make it simply blend together cucumbers with water to create a green cucumber juice. Then mix the juice with elderflower liqueur and a splash of gin and tonic water. Garnish with mint leaves and cucumbers, for an extra pop of vibrant color.
Green Mimosas
Blue Curaçao is a sweet, orange-flavored liqueur similar to triple sec, but it is typically made with a rum or brandy base and dyed a vibrant blue color. This liqueur is the key to turning an average mimosa into a festive green color. Simply mix together orange juice and prosecco or champagne, then add a splash of Blue Curaçao. You can also try rimming the glass with marshmallow fluff and Lucky Charms cereal or some sour rainbow candy for a pop of color.
Lucky Charms Jello Shots
These Jello shots are a fun and simple twist to a classic party favorite. To make them prepare a batch of green gelatin and mix in vodka before pouring the mixture into small cups or shot glasses. Once the gelatin sets, top each cup with a little whipped cream and sprinkle on some Lucky Charms marshmallows.
Boozy Shamrock Shake
Everyone looks forward to the arrival of the McDonald’s Shamrock Shake each March and this boozy version brings the classic sweet minty treat to the party. Blend together vanilla ice cream, vodka, green food dye, mint extract, and milk until it is smooth and creamy. Serve the shake in a chilled glass and top it with whipped cream, candy, or sprinkles.
Irish Coffee
Irish Coffee is a classic Irish delicacy, and a warm and comforting drink perfect to celebrate Irish culture especially if your St. Patrick’s day is on the colder side. To make it, start with a cup of hot brewed coffee, and stir in a shot of Irish whiskey or Bailey’s, and some brown sugar. Traditionally, the drink is also topped with some whipped cream.
Green Tea Shots
Making a batch of green tea shots to bring to the function is a much cheaper alternative than buying a round at the bar. Despite the name, these fruity shots don’t actually contain green tea, but still have that light green color. To make them, combine Irish whiskey, peach schnapps and some sour mix in a shaker with ice. Shake well, strain them into shot glasses, and top it with a lime slice. Some recipes also add some lemon-lime soda for extra sweetness and fizz.
Baby Guinness Shots
Who doesn’t want to celebrate St. Patrick’s day with tiny pints of Guinness? These shots have a sweet and rich coffee-flavored twist on the classic pint. You simply need two ingredients, coffee liqueur such as Kahlúa, and some Irish cream such as Bailey’s. Pour the Kahlúa at the bottom of the shot glass, and gently add a bit of Bailey’s on top to create that two-layer effect that resembles a Guinness pint.