Lauren Keating, Tech Times

We can't wait to munch on some corn beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread, but let's be honest, what we really are looking forward to is the amount of drinking we will do in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

Known as one of the biggest drinking holidays (hey, the love for a perfectly poured Guinness runs in our blood!), St. Patrick's Day is the Christian feast day of Saint Patrick, the patron saint who brought Christianity to Ireland. While the day has religious meaning, Irish drinkers are in luck because alcohol restrictions from Lent are lifted on this day.

While green beer -- just like "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" T-shirts and shamrocks -- be in plenty, there are other drinks to serve at your St. Patty's Day party. In honor of the luck of the Irish, here are St. Patrick's Day cocktail recipes to drink instead of green beer this year.

Tropical Leprechaun

This drink is equally refreshing as it is festive. And with all the recent snow, it seems fitting to think tropical thoughts this St. Patrick’s Day. To make the Tropical Leprechaun, pour 1 oz. of coconut rum, 5 oz. Blue Curacao liqueur and a splash of pineapple juice into a glass with ice. Stir just the top so that the blue remains at the bottom and the remainder of the drink is green.

DownTowner

This drink just screams spring. It has a light and floral taste thanks to elderflower and vanilla flavors. To make the DownTowner, add 1 1/2 oz of nettle tea-infused Jameson Black Barrel, 1/2 oz. of elderflower liqueur, 1/4 oz. Pernod absinthe, 1 oz. fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz. of fennel syrup, 1/2 oz. of cucumber juice and 3 dashes of Boston bitters in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a punch glass and top with siphon carbonic and nutmeg.

Kiss Me I'm Irish

The perfect drink for ladies night, or to pucker up with alongside your Irish date, the Kiss Me I’m Irish cocktail is part sweet part sour. Combine ice, 1 oz. of vodka, 1 oz. of Midori melon liquor, and 1 1/2 oz. of lemonade into a shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass and top with VOGA Sparkling.

St. Patrick’s Day Punch

Every party needs a punch and this one will leave other drinks green with envy. In a large punch bowl, pour in 1 2-liter bottle of lemon lime soda, 1 2-liter bottle of ginger ale and 1 frozen concentrate limeade mix. Then, scoop 1/2 gallon of lime sherbet, mixing a little but because you want the clumps to float. Decorate the rims of glasses using lime and then dip them into green sprinkles. You can also add green food coloring during the first step to make the drink a brighter green. This drink recipe is nonalcoholic, so pour in your favorite like vodka if you are looking for an extra punch.

BLT Green Bloody Mary

This whole list just got real, because this next drink recipe includes bacon. The St. Patrick’s Day twist on the classic Bloody Mary, the BLT Green Bloody Mary uses green veggies, giving this cocktail its green color. To make, blend green tomatoes, lime juice, vinegar, parsley, Worcestershire sauce and jalapeños in the blender. Stir in horseradish if you wish and pour in the vodka. Garnish with a slice of bacon, celery and lime.

Bushmills Irish Honey Smash

What would an Irish drinking day be without the whiskey? To make a Bushmills Irish Honey Smash, muddle 2 pieces of lemon, 2 or 3 mint leaves, 1 oz. of water and 3.4 oz. of Simple Syrup into the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Pour in 1.5 oz. of Bushmills Irish Honey whiskey and shake and strain to a glass with ice. Garnish with mint.

Irish Flag Shooter

You can’t celebrate the holiday that encourages drinking without taking a shot. Salute to Ireland with the Irish Flag Shooter. All you need is 1 part creme de menthe, 1 part Bailey and 1 part Grand Marnier. Pour the creme de menthe into the shot glass and then layer the Baileys followed by the Grand Marnier on top. The colors should be layered and not mixed so it looks like the flag. It's magically delicious!

Also be sure to check out our St. Patrick's Day beer guide! 

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Tags: St. Patrick's Day Irish Drinking Drinks Recipes alcohol Cocktails
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