Saint Patrick's Day Drinks

Are you having a big party, or even just a few friends and family members over on Saint Patrick's day before you go out for a big night on the town? Go beyond the green beer this year with some creative mixed drinks and cocktails.

It's easier than you might think to mix up a few green alcoholic drinks that not only look great but taste amazing as well. I have lots of ideas for some impressive drinks to please the crowds on Saint Patrick's Day 2015.

For the non-drinking crowd, this site has some drinks for them too so they won't feel left out at your party. I guarantee they'll be delicious crowd-pleasers that will leave your friends and family coming back for more the next year and asking you for the recipe and your drink-mixing secrets.

Get creative and enjoy!

What you'll need to make your classy green martini:

Cinnamon and sugar for rimming glass

Equal portions of:

Vodka

Sour-apple schnapps

Lemonade

Lemon-lime soda (such as 7-Up or Sprite)

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, mix vodka, schnapps, lemonade and lemon-lime soda. Shake well. Dip rim edge first in water, then in dish with sugar and cinnamon mixed together. Strain mixture and pour into glasses. Mmmm, delicious! I bet you can't drink just one! It's so refreshing.

This punch is perfect if you're hosting a big party on Saint Paddy's Day this year. It can keep at least 10 people well-watered for at least a couple of hours. It's so delicious that your guests will want more so be sure to have additional supplies on hand for round two or three. It's easy to mix up on the fly.

2 (12 ounce) cans frozen limeade concentrate (frozen is okay)

2 cups Gatorade, Lemon-Lime flavor.

1 cup light rum

2 (12 ounce) cans lemon-lime soda pop

Mix everything except soda. Chill. Just before serving, add soda. You can also make some green ice cubes using food coloring and add just before serving.

(Or Non-Alcoholic too)

What you'll need to make your delicious green smoothie:

1.5 Cups Orange Juice

4 Scoops lime sherbet

2 ripe bananas, peeled and frozen

6 Tablespoons chopped mint

4 kiwifruits, peeled and frozen

2 Cups crushed ice

Blend everything up in a blender until well processed. Add a bit more orange juice, or water if more liquid is required to make it blend smoothly, but be careful not to add too much or it will be too runny. Add some rum or vodka for those that wish, but you don't actually need it.

The ultimate drink for those looking to control their calories but still have some drinks with friends. And also for those who want a jolt of caffeine for a long night of partying.

Make some freshly brewed coffee and add some Baileys for Irish Coffee. For a grasshopper, add equal parts of Creme de Menthe, and Baileys. Garnish with a bit of whip cream if you have.

A mint chocolate chip shake is an excellent choice if you have some kids at your party this year. They'll drink it up in my time and be coming back for more. For the adults, you can add some alcohol to it to pack an extra punch.

It's really simple to do:

Mix together icecream, milk and a dash of peppermint extract in a blender. Add more milk if too thick. Garnish with an Oreo, or mint Oreo cookie. For those who like, add some of the following liquors:

Creme de menthe

White de Cocoa

Baileys

For those who enjoy gin and tonics, but with a St. Paddy's Day twist. Put some ice in a glass and pour in 2 oz of Irish whiskey (Jameson or Bushmills) and put in tonic water to fill the glass. Top it off with a lime wedge for an extra touch of green.

What you need: Equal parts Peach Schnapps, Vodka, Coconut Rum, Green Apple Schnapps, Sweet and Sour Mix.

Put ice in shaker, pour all ingredients on top and shake. Pour into cocktail glasses. Add a lime wedge (optional)

What you need equal parts white grape juice and sparkling water or lemon-lime soda. Freeze some green grapes, and find your green food coloring.

Put the grape juice into a blender and add your frozen grapes, as well as the food coloring. Blend until smooth. Pour into highball glasses and add sparkling water or soda to taste. Stir and add some more frozen grapes as garnish.

This cocktail uses a variety of green liqueurs. The quantities can be varied to get that perfect shade of green that you're looking for. Serve in martini glasses for the best effect.

Ingredients:

2 ounces Irish Whiskey

I TB Green Creme de Menthe and Green Chartreuse

(optional) olive for garnish

Put it into a cocktail shaker with some ice. Strain and serve. Your guests will keep coming back for more!