When it comes to classic whiskey cocktails we typically find them made with American bourbon or whiskey, and that is absolutely fine! But, if you were to swap that spirit with an Irish whiskey you might be in for a treat! Bourbon tends to be sweeter and denser than Irish whiskey, which is less smoky, but very smooth and a bit fruity. Typically, bourbon boasts strong flavors of oak, caramel, marshmallow, and vanilla. Whiskey, however, has a taste that is warm, spicy, sweet, caramelly, or toasty in flavor.
Of course, whiskey isn’t the only spirit made in Ireland! We included Drumshambo’s Gunpowder Irish Gin in a cocktail because if you haven’t tried this unique gin before it’s time you did!
Check out some of our favorite recipes and add some luck of the Irish to your classic cocktails for flavorful twist that you’ll be McLovin for years to come!
Irish Julep
Ingredients
- 1 oz. simple syrup
- 12 mint leaves
- 6 oz. Irish whiskey
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprigs for garnish
Directions
- Divide 1 ounce of simple syrup between two rock glasses ( ½ oz. each).
- Place 6 mint leaves in each glass and crush with the back of a wooden spoon.
- Add 1 ½ oz. of Irish whiskey to each glass and top with a little crushed ice. Stir.
- Top each glass with another 1 ½ oz. of whiskey and more crushed ice.
- Serve immediately garnished with a sprig of fresh mint for garnish.
Irish Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Jameson Black Barrel Irish whiskey
- ¾ oz. Benedictine
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Garnish: orange twist
Directions
- Add the whiskey, Benedictine and both bitters to a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with an orange twist.
Irish Mule
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Irish whiskey
- 1 oz. Rose’s lime juice
- 1 fresh lime wedge
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary – optional
- 6–8 oz. ginger beer
- Optional garnish – fresh lime, rosemary, candied ginger
Directions
- Muddle the whiskey, lime juice, lime, and rosemary together.
- Pour into a copper mug or glass with ice.
- Top with ginger beer to taste, stir and serve.
Irish Gin & Tonic
Ingredients
- 1 slice grapefruit
- 1 oz. Gunpowder Irish Gin
- 1 handful Ice Cubes to serve
- 3 oz. tonic water
Directions
- Fill a glass with ice and pour in the gin.
- Place the grapefruit slice into the glass and top up with the tonic water.
- Stir with a spoon before serving.
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