If you’re looking for traditional Irish drink recipes for St Patrick’s day or want to try a traditional Irish drink when visiting Ireland, we have got you covered!
One of the first things people will recommend to do in Ireland is usually to visit a traditional Irish pub or bar. Irish pubs have historic value, are tourist friendly and usually offer great food and live music, however most importantly, the quality of the alcohol itself is held to a high standard in Ireland.
So the real question is what drink should you try in a traditional Irish pub? Many people want to avoid ordering their usual when travelling in favour of something more exotic, or in this case ‘more Irish’. You should take advantage of the opportunity to try out traditional Irish drinks, as you may enjoy the experience.
Pub culture is an important part of life in Ireland. In the past, the weekend pub visit was the main form of entertainment for adults, offering a chance to gather as a community and socialise after a week of hard work.
As this article is covering traditional Irish alcohol drinks, it is intended to be read by an audience over 18. If you want to find out more information about alcohol consumption and guidelines in Ireland you can check out drink aware.
Guinness – Traditional Irish Drink
Starting off our list is the most popular and iconic traditional Irish drink, the humble pint of Guinness. You can’t go wrong with a good pint of Guinness in Ireland. While stereotypically associated with old Irish folk hunched on bar stools in dark pubs, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality Guinness is a popular modern drink enjoyed by adults young and old.
Guinness is an Irish dry stout that has a unique taste which derives from malted barley. The draught beer has a thick creamy head which compliments its sharp tang. Guinness on draught (from a keg/barrel) tastes very different to a bottle or can.
Many tourists claim that Guinness in Ireland just tastes better than in pubs abroad. It could be because it is brewed in Dublin and that the kegs are used up so frequently which means that you are more likely to get a fresh pint of Guinness in Ireland.
It is true even here in Ireland that all Guinness is not equal. Some pubs have a reputation for a great or terrible pint. This is similarly due to the frequency of kegs changed and pipes cleaned, as the alcohol itself is produced the same way for every batch.
While researching various drinks for this article, I came across a few Guinness combinations that were popular in the past. To be honest, Guinness is a drink that doesn’t need any additions (at least in my opinion!), but why not try these drinks for yourself if you are curious.
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Guinness and champagne (Black Velvet Cocktail)
Apparently Guinness and champagne is a thing, albeit one that I have not seen anyone drink in Ireland! The Black Velvet cocktail is an easy one to make though; simply mix equal parts Guinness and champagne in a flute glass and try it for yourself. According to the Guinness website, the cocktail is over 160 years old.
The history of the Black Velvet Cocktail goes back to London in 1861. At the time the country was mourning the death of Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert. The drink was thought to symbolise the black armbands worn by mourners and it was allegedly said that ‘even the champagne was mourning’. Nowadays the drink is rare, but it is not associated with mourning.
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A brief history of the creation of Guinness
Guinness was created in 1755 after Arthur Guinness founded the Guinness brewery. Guinness was not only an innovator in his field of brewing alcohol and international trade, he also was generous to the poorer people of Ireland. He saw Guinness as a healthier and higher quality form of alcohol to consume as opposed to hard liquors that were common among the poorer classes in society.
Guinness also started the ‘Arthur Guinness Fund’ which saw him donating to charities and attempting to improve healthcare. He was also a supporter of the Catholic Emancipation Act in 1793.
After his death, his employees were well looked after, receiving healthcare and pension benefits as well as wages 10-20% higher (on average) than the majority of jobs in Dublin during the 19th and 20th century. There was even a beer allowance for employees over 21!
Did you know that Arthur took out a 9000-year lease on the brewery? You can read more about Arthur Guinness in our dedicated blog to the inventor of Ireland’s favourite pint.
Guinness and blackcurrant
Guinness and blackcurrant is a classic combination for those who aren’t a fan of the bitterness of stout. The sweetness of the blackcurrant balances out the stout. In the past it was said to be a popular drink for women and younger men before ‘graduating’ on to a classic pint of Guinness. Traditionalists may say that you shouldn’t mix anything with Guinness, but at the end of the day if you are the one paying for your pint, order whatever you prefer!
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Irish Whiskey – Traditional Irish Drink
Just as we have garnered a reputation for great Guinness, Ireland has also gained popularity for its whiskey.
Jameson is probably the Irish whiskey that you are most familiar with. It is tripled distilled and aged for a minimum of 4 years which gives the whiskey its signature smooth taste.
You can enjoy the whiskey anyway you want: neat, on ice, with a mixer or as part of a cocktail.
Powers and Bushmills are other Irish whiskies that we love which are very popular in Ireland. When it comes to choosing which whiskey is right for you, it all comes down to personal taste and budget. There are plenty of high quality whiskeys available for a decent price.
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Two traditional Irish drinks made using whiskey are described below:
Hot Toddy Recipe
Some Irish people swear by drinking a Hot Toddy when sick with the cold. In fact, some of these Irish people only drink whiskey when they are sick. We have included a recipe below which is also nice on a cold winter’s night.
To make a Hot Toddy you will need (serves 2):
- 50ml whiskey
- 3 tablespoons of honey
- 2 cloves
- lemon, half sliced, half juiced
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Directions:
- Mix honey and whiskey together and pour into two heatproof glasses
- Add half a cinnamon stick to each and pour in 200ml boiling water.
- Add some lemon juice. You may wish to add some sugar to taste.
- Add in your clove and a slice of lemon.
- Enjoy!
Honey, Cloves and Cinnamon are all known to have beneficial effects during the winter months and cold season. Whiskey and hot beverages in general are said to be good decongestants, so maybe there is more truth to the old wives tale than you may think. In any case, a whiskey will help to warm you up – just make sure you are not taking any medicine as it can be very dangerous. If in doubt opt for an alcohol free hot chocolate or traditional Irish mug of tea!
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Irish Coffee Recipe
Recipe via BBC good food. Irish coffee is the perfect decadent finale to any special meal. Sweet, sharp and delicious there is plenty of room to make an Irish coffee your way!
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons whipped cream
- 150ml brewed black coffee
- 50ml Irish coffee
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- grated nutmeg / chocolate
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Baileys – Traditional Irish Drinks
Baileys original Irish Cream Liqueur is a drink for special occasions and is usually enjoyed on days of celebration, such as Christmas day and Saint Patrick’s day.
Fine Irish Whiskey and spirits, Irish dairy cream, chocolate and vanilla flavours are combined to create a deliciously rich drink. It is the perfect way to end a meal or a special nightcap to end a memorable day.
Baileys is quite a versatile drink, it can be enjoyed neat, over ice, added into cocktails, and is even used in deserts. While the original baileys is the one we are discussing on this list, there is also a vegan option made with almonds for anyone with special dietary requirements who would like to try the cream liquor.
The best way to enjoy a Bailey’s in my opinion is in a hot drink. We have gathered these recipes from the official baileys website. You can see more recipes for delicious desserts and inventive drinks on their website.
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This post first appeared on Travel Blog, Culture And Travel Vlogs From ConnollyCove, please read the originial post: here
