Monthly Archives: March 2009

Though St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the most recognized patron saint of Ireland and is a national holiday of Ireland, the well-known holiday is celebrated in many countries.  Often referred to as ‘amateur night’ by seasoned drinkers, St. Patrick’s Day brings out the young and old touring pubs, watering holes and night clubs with Irish themes of green beer, cocktails and every sort of Jello shot or drinking game one could possibly imagine.  With cocktails and shots flowing freely on such a festive occasions, please keep in mind the need to consume responsibly and designate responsible drivers so everyone arrives home safely. 

Beginning shot for St. Patrick’s Day:

Collins Cream

1 part Michael Collins Blend

1 part Irish Cream Liqueur

Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake well.  Strain into a shot glass. Enjoy with a glass of stout.  You might also like the Irish Car Bomb.

“Michael Collins is the dawning of a new age of Irish Whiskey; combining the best of Ireland’s long history of distilling with today’s demand for premium quality and unique style. Distilled at the last Irish independently owned distillery, Cooley, Michael Collins Irish Whiskeys are double distilled to retain the flavor characteristics of their premium ingredients.  Aged in small bourbon seasoned casks, they are refined, flavorful and well-balanced.  Michael Collins Single Malt is bold with a distinctive and unexpected lightly peated style.  Aged for a minimum of eight to over twelve years, it has aromas of chocolate malt with light citrus and honeysuckle notes.  Well-rounded and complex with rich maltiness, it finishes long with a hint of chocolate and a wonderfully settled smoke that lingers on the palate.”  – Michael Collins Media Release Notation

Irish Smash

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

3/4 part Simple Syrup

3 lemon wheels

6 – 8 mint leaves

Muddle 3 mint leaves, simple syrup and two of the lemon wheels in a cocktail shaker. Add Michael Collins Blend and shake well with ice. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with the remaining lemon wheel and a sprig of fresh mint.

Frisky Whisky

1 part Michael Collins

1 part Honey Liqueur

1 part Orange Juice

1/4 part Simple Syrup

2 Dashes Classic Bitters

Lemon or Orange Spiral Garnish

Build over ice in a highball glass.  Garnish with lemon or orange spiral.

Irish Mint Julep

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

1/2 part Simple Syrup

6 – 8 mint leaves

Dash of Classic Bitters

Place the simple syrup and three mint leaves in a cocktail shaker with the Angostura bitters. Using a back of a bar spoon, bruise the mint leaves. Add Michael Collins Blend and stir gently. Strain into a tall glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Irish fizz

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

1 part Lemon Juice

1/2 part Premium Orange Liqueur

1/2 part Simple Syrup

2 parts Club Soda

Lemon Wedge Garnish

Shake the Michael Collins Blend, fresh lemon juice, orange liqueur and simple syrup well over ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top with soda water.  Garnish with a lemon wedge.

Irish Blond– created by Dale de Groff

2 ounces Michael Collins Irish Whiskey

3/4 ounce Orange Curacao 

1/4 ounce Fino sherry

Dash of Orange Bitters 

Flamed Orange Peel Garnish

Stir all the ingredients in a bar glass with ice.   Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.

Michael Collins Honeysuckle

1-1/2 parts Michael Collins Blend

2 teaspoons Honey

1-1/4 parts Sauvignon Blanc wine

1-1/2 parts Apple Juice

1/4 part Passion Fruit Syrup

1/4 part Lemon Juice

Apple Slice Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into chilled glass.  Garnish with thin apple slice.

Collins Royale

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

1 part Sour Apple Schnapps

1/2 part Lemon Juice

1 part Brut Champagne

Green Apple Slice Garnish

Combine Michael Collins Blend, sour apple schnapps and fresh lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to chill.  Strain into champagne flute.  Top with dry sparkling wine.  Garnish with a green apple slice.

Michael Collins Old-fashioned

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

2 dashes of Classic Bitters

1/2 part Simple Syrup

1/2 part Club Soda

2 Orange Slices

2 Maraschino Cherries

Muddle the simple syrup, bitters, one orange slice and one cherry in an old fash­ioned glass. Fill with ice and add Michael Collins Blend. Top with club soda.  Garnish with remaining orange slice and maraschino cherry.

Michael Collins Manhattan

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

1 part Sweet Vermouth

2 dashes Classic Bitters

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Stir to blend and chill.  Strain into chilled martini glass.  Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Michael Collins Irish Ale

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

3 Lime Wedges

3 parts Ginger Ale

Pour Michael Collins Blend and two of the lime wedges over ice in a highball glass. Top with ginger ale. Garnish with remaining lime wedge. Try with fresh ginger beer for a spicier alternative!

Collins Apple-tini

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

1 part Peach Liqueur

1 part Pressed Apple Juice

Squeeze of Fresh Lemon Juice

Green Apple Slice Garnish

Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake well.  Strain into a chilled martini glass.  Garnish with slice of green apple.

Irish Sunrise

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

3 parts Orange Juice

Splash of Grenadine

Squeeze of Lemon Juice

Orange Twist & Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Pour the Michael Collins Blend over ice in a rocks glass. Top with fresh orange juice and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Add a splash of grenadine and garnish with an orange twist and a maraschino cherry.

Irish Rose

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

1 part Simple Syrup

3/4 part Lemon Juice

2 dashes Grenadine

Lemon Twist Garnish

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well.   Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon zest twist.

Recipes provided by representatives of Michael Collins Irish Whiskey. Find more Irish Whiskey and Whiskey cocktails for St. Patrick’s Day on The Intoxicologist site by following the links.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.