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These Jameson drinks and Irish whiskey cocktails showcase its smooth, fruity flavor in drinks like the Irish Mule or Irish Sour! Make these easy recipes to turn your Irish whiskey into mixed drinks perfect for any occasion.
Got Irish whiskey? Irish whiskey has a unique flavor: light and fruity, with a floral scent and hints of nutty and vanilla tones. The finish is smooth and mellow, compared to the spicier finish of bourbon or rye whiskey.
I’ve spent years experimenting with whiskey cocktails, and what I love about Irish whiskey and Jameson is its versatility. Here are my top Jameson and Irish whiskey drinks that make the best of its smooth flavor: from the simple Irish mule to the sweet tart Irish Sour. Mix it Jameson cocktails or use any Irish whiskey you have on hand.
My top Jameson drinks and Irish whiskey cocktails
At the top of our list of Irish whiskey cocktails and Jameson drinks: the Irish mule. This spin on the classic Moscow Mule is bubbly and light, with a nuanced Irish whiskey finish. Combine it with lime and ginger beer, for a bubbly, refreshing sip. You can build it in the glass, making it perfect for parties.
Every time I serve Irish coffee, someone tells me they didn't know it could taste this good. The secret lies in the coffee-to-whiskey ratio and the cream preparation. I use dark roast coffee and lightly whip the heavy cream. I actually prefer this drink with Jameson Irish whiskey, which gives it a lightly floral scent and hints of nutty and vanilla tones.
Another fantastic Irish whiskey drink: try the Jameson whiskey sour, aka Irish sour! Irish whiskey gives a smooth flavor to this drink, with none of the spicy finish of the traditional bourbon or rye whiskey. It’s one of my favorite ways to use up a bottle!
One of my other favorite Irish whiskey cocktails is the Irish Maid! This refreshing Irish whiskey cocktail starring the fresh flavors of lemon, cucumber, and elderflower liqueur. It’s perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, with floral and botanical notes that shine through and just boozy enough.
I love making Old Fashioned cocktails with Irish whiskey because it creates this approachable version of the classic that newcomers to whiskey cocktails can appreciate. The fruit-forward character of Irish whiskey pairs well with the light sweetness.
Here’s a refreshing Irish whiskey cocktail: the classic Whiskey Highball! This two-ingredient cocktail originated around the turn of the 20th century and it’s still popular to this day. It’s so easy to make: no cocktail shakers or fancy ingredients required! It’s an intriguing way to enjoy the flavors in a sip of Jameson whiskey.
Here’s a drink that’s ideal for warm weather: Irish whiskey lemonade! Make up a big pitcher of fresh squeezed lemonade, refreshing and sweet tart. Then swirl it with some Irish whiskey in a glass so you get all that boozy, spicy finish to each sip.
Here’s a fun whiskey drink: the John Collins cocktail! Where the Tom Collins stars gin and lemon juice, the John Collins swaps in Irish whiskey. It's essentially a sparkling whiskey sour, served up with soda water in a highball glass!
The whiskey smash is tangy and light: not heavy and boozy like normal whiskey cocktails. It’s a sweet and sour spin on the classic Mint Julep, featuring lemon and mint, and the music of crushed ice hitting the glass. Make it with Irish whiskey instead of bourbon, and it's even better, in my opinion.
Here’s a classic combination that makes one of the easiest Irish whiskey cocktails: the Whiskey Ginger! Irish whiskey and ginger ale are the perfect pair: the spicy notes of the liquor meld into the subtle sweet and bubbly notes of the ale. Add a squeeze of lime and a big clear ice cube.
Want a light, bubbly cocktail starring Irish whiskey? Mix it with tonic water for an Whiskey Tonic! You might first think of a Gin and Tonic or Vodka Tonic when it comes to tonic water. But the sweet, bubbly carbonation pairs perfectly with Jameson whiskey.
Looking for more Irish drinks? Try the Black Velvet with Guinness, or all the Best Irish Cream Cocktails. All these ideas work as St Patricks’ Day drinks, too (though honestly I prefer them on the regular!).
The Irish whiskey flavor profile
Irish whiskey is made from a blend of grain whiskey and single pot still whiskey, made from Irish barley. There’s no peat incorporated in the manufacturing process, so the whiskey has no smoky or spicy notes like a Scotch whisky.
Instead, Irish whiskey tastes light and fruity, with a lightly floral scent and hints vanilla. It’s the easiest to drink of all types of whiskey, making a great intro for drinkers new to whiskey.
Best Irish whiskey for cocktails: Jameson and more
Jameson Irish Whiskey is the most popular brand of Irish whiskey worldwide and you can use it to make the Jameson drinks above. But there are plenty of other great options:
- Jameson: The reliable choice with balanced vanilla and fruit notes. Perfect for beginners and consistently available.
- Tullamore Dew: Slightly sweeter than Jameson, with a softer finish that works well in cream-based cocktails.
- Teeling Small Batch: More complex with dried fruit notes that add depth to boozy cocktails like an Irish Old Fashioned.
- Redbreast 12: Premium choice for special occasions, with rich sherry influences that add depth.
A few other popular brands are Green Spot, Powers, and Bushmills.
Irish Mule
One of the best Irish whiskey cocktails is the Irish mule! This tasty spin on the classic Moscow mule swaps out vodka for Jameson Irish whiskey.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (¼ cup) Irish whiskey, like Jameson or other
- ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces (½ cup) ginger beer
- For serving: ice, lime wedge, fresh mint
Instructions
- In a copper mug or glass, pour in the Irish whiskey, lime juice, and ginger beer.
- Add ice and garnish with a lime slice. Serve immediately.
More whiskey cocktails you might enjoy
There are so many great drinks with all types of whiskey! Here are some of our favorite whiskey cocktails:
- Best Whiskey Sour It really is the best.
- Whiskey and Coke A classic way that goes down easy.
- Whiskey Highball Mix whiskey with ginger ale!
- Manhattan or Boulevardier Go classy with a Manhattan or Negroni spin.
- Gold Rush or Paper Plane Opt for modern classics.
- Try Scotch Cocktails Worth Making or Great Bourbon Cocktails
These look great!
In relation to the classic Irish coffee recipe, there are a couple of important factors that is should be itemised also. Firstly, the glass should be heated prior to any of the ingredients being added. Secondly, the cream, when being added should be poured over the convex side of, and most importantly, a heated dessert spoon. Doing it this way ensures the cream remains on the surface of the coffee and prevents it from sinking through the mixture too quickly