Popular Drinks from Ireland

Ireland is a nation known for its famous stouts, beers, whiskeys, coffees, and delicious drinks. These signature beverages have grown in popularity through the years becoming synonymous with Irish celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day! And, in this day and age, there is no escaping the impact of Ireland’s famous beverage brands like Baileys or Guinness in any part of the world. Below are some of the most popular Irish drinks that can easily transform any ordinary holiday party into a fun and festive celebration of Irish culture and tradition.

Guinness - An Irish Stout

In 1759, Arthur Guinness acquired a four acre site and signed a 9,000-year lease for the St. James' Gate Brewery in Dublin. The brewery started to brew its famous dark ale ‘porter’ which is now enjoyed all over the world as the ‘dark stout’ Guinness. The brewery claims that over a whopping 10 million glasses of Guinness are enjoyed daily around the world!

Irish Whiskey

The phrase uisce beatha, literally meaning "water of life", was the name given by Irish monks of the early Middle Age to distilled alcohol. The word "whiskey" itself is an anglicized version of this phrase, stemming from a mispronunciation of the word uisce. Ireland has many distilleries which produce some of the finest whiskeys in the world. Black Bush, Bushmills, Jameson, Paddy, Powers, and Tullamore Dew are some of the famous Irish whiskeys around! If you are looking for a lighter taste, consider using Irish whiskey in a cocktail at home or to serve at your St. Patrick’s Day party !

You will need to mix a ‘weesky’

• 2 ounces Irish whiskey
• 1 ounce Lillet Blanc
• 1 teaspoon Cointreau
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Lemon peel, for garnish

Directions

• Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir until well chilled, for about 30 seconds.
• Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with twisted lemon peels.

Irish Coffee

This popular after-dinner drink combines coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar and freshly whipped cream and makes the perfect evening night-cap. If you’ve never tried it before or are simply looking for easy starter recipe, try out the good old Irish coffee recipe below!

You will need

• Half a cup of good quality coffee
• 1 measure of Irish whiskey
• 2 spoonfuls of brown sugar
• 20ml of fresh whipped cream

Directions

• Pour boiling water into a glass that’s designed to withstand the heat.
• Pour the shot of whiskey into the glass.
• Pour in the coffee from the top.
• Stir in two spoons of sugar until all of it has dissolved.
• Top with a collar of the whipped cream by pouring gently over back of spoon.

Baileys Irish Cream

Gilbey’s of Ireland combined the Irish tradition of distilling whiskey with dairy farming to come up with the decadent Baileys Irish Cream. Sweet and flavorful, it has become an Irish tradition that is popular around the world. With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, make your own version of Baileys Irish Cream with our easy recipe.

You will need

• 2 cups of any Irish whiskey
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee

Directions

• Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree on high speed for 30 seconds.
• Transfer mixture to an airtight container or glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. Shake well before using.

Club Rock Shandy

Club is the brand name for a series of popular carbonated soft drinks produced in Ireland. The series includes Club Orange, Club Lemon, Club Pomegranate & Cranberry, Club Rock Shandy Club Apple, Club Berry, Club Strawberry and Club Cherry soft drinks. Club Rock Shandy is the most popular from the series, being a mixture of the orange and lemon flavors.

TK Red Lemonade

There can be very few childhood memories without TK Red Lemonade in Ireland! Originally known as Taylor Keith, it continues to be Ireland's leading soft drink brand that many love to drink straight up or mixed with their favorite Irish whiskey.