Why I love this boozy shamrock shake cocktail recipe
This boozy Shamrock Shake cocktail recipe is the drink you need for St. Patrick’s Day!
It’s creamy, minty, and just the right amount of boozy, thanks to the perfect combo of Irish whiskey and Baileys Vanilla Mint Shake.
Basically, it’s like the grown-up version of that famous fast-food shake—but way better because, well… whiskey.
Plus, that gorgeous green color is totally festive.
And the best part? You can make it ahead of time and in a big batch, so you’re not stuck playing bartender all night.
Just mix it up in a pitcher, and you’re ready to serve.
Whether you’re throwing a full-blown St. Paddy’s bash or just kicking back with a few friends, this cocktail makes celebrating super easy (and super delicious).
Trust me—once you try it, you’ll want to make it every year!
More green cocktails
Ingredients
Here is your shopping list (for 2 cocktails):
- Sweetener – 1 Tablespoon corn syrup – we’ll use this to rim the glasses so you can skip it if you don’t want to do that step.
- rimming sugar – 1 Tablespoon orange-colored sugar sprinkles – I used orange since it’s one of the Irish colors, but you could also use green.
- Dairy – 1 cup milk
- Alcohol – 3 oz Bailey’s Vanilla Mint Shake, 2 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey
Substitutions & Additions
- You can replace the corn syrup with simple syrup if that’s what you have on hand.
- If you want to make your cocktail a darker green, add a few drops of green food color.
How to make a shamrock shake cocktail
1 | Rim the glasses
While this step is optional, I think rimming the glasses makes the cocktail look more festive.I used orange sprinkles since it adds a little contrast (and is one of the Irish colors). But green sprinkles would work well, too.
To do this, start by placing orange sugar sprinkles on a plate or in a shallow bowl. Make sure the container is slightly larger than the diameter of your glass.
Then on a separate plate, spread a thin layer of corn syrup. This will act as the adhesive to hold the sugar sprinkles in place.
Dip the rim of your glass into the corn syrup, ensuring an even coating all around the edge.
Immediately follow by dipping the sticky rim into the sugar sprinkles. Rotate the glass slightly ao the sprinkles adhere evenly, creating a beautiful, colorful edge.
Once coated, set the glass aside to allow the corn syrup to dry a bit, securing the sprinkles in place.
2 | Make the drink
In a large cocktail shaker, combine the milk, Bailey’s Vanilla Mint Shake, and Jameson whiskey. Make sure the shaker is large enough to allow for thorough mixing.
Put the lid on tightly then shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds. This process not only mixes the ingredients but also chills them, creating a smoother and more refreshing drink.
3 | Serve
Prepare your glasses by filling them with about half a cup of crushed ice.
If you don’t have crushed ice, you can easily make some by placing ice cubes in a clean kitchen towel and gently tapping them with a rolling pin or a mallet until they break into smaller pieces.
Pour the well-shaken mixture over the ice in your prepared glass, filling it up to just below the sugar rim.
Serving suggestions
If you want to make the cocktail look fancier, you can try one of the following:
- Top the drink with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of orange sugar for a festive touch. You could also add a green candy on the whipped cream.
- Add a mint sprig or a few fresh mint leaves as a refreshing and aromatic garnish.
- Use a green straw for an extra festive flair.
How to make a big batch
To make a big batch of this shamrock shake cocktail in advance: (this will serve about 8)
1. Rim Preparation: Prepare the rims of your glasses with corn syrup and orange sugar sprinkles as directed. Once coated, set the glasses aside or store them in a cool place until ready to use.
2. Mix Ingredients: In a large pitcher, combine 4 cups milk, 1½ cups Bailey’s Vanilla Mint Shake, and 1 cup Jameson Irish Whiskey. Stir well to ensure the mixture is uniform in color and flavor.
3. Refrigerate: Seal the container and refrigerate the mixture until you’re ready to serve. This can be done several hours or even the day before your event.
4. Serve: When ready to serve, fill each prepared glass with crushed ice, then pour the pre-mixed cocktail over the ice. Give it a gentle stir if needed to mix any settled ingredients.
Shamrock Shake Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon corn syrup for rimming
- 1 Tablespoon orange-colored (or green) sugar sprinkles for rimming
- 1 cup milk
- 3 oz Bailey’s Vanilla Mint Shake
- 2 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey
- 1 cup crushed ice
Equipment
- 2 small plates (for rimming)
- measuring cups and spoons
- large cocktail shaker
- 2 cocktail glasses
- jigger (for measuring alcohol)
Instructions
- Rim two glasses by dipping the edge into corn syrup and then the orange sugar sprinkles. Set aside.1 Tablespoon corn syrup, 1 Tablespoon orange-colored (or green) sugar sprinkles
- In a large cocktail shaker, combine the milk, Bailey’s Vanilla Mint Shake, and Jameson whiskey. Shake well.1 cup milk, 3 oz Bailey’s Vanilla Mint Shake, 2 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey
- Place crushed ice into the cocktail glasses and pour the mixed drink over it.1 cup crushed ice
Notes
- You can also use simple syrup for rimming instead of corn syrup.
- To make the cocktail a darker color, add a few drops of green food coloring to the shaker.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
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