15 Irish Drinks That We Love to Sip in Ireland

The world of Irish drinks is vast—on one side, you’ve got the iconic beers like Guinness; on the other, there’s whiskey, crisp Irish cider, gins, stouts and a growing lineup of Irish cocktails.

I’ve spent all of my adult life in Ireland, with most weekend nights spend sipping away in pubs and at home.

This guide contains a mix of classic drinks and Irish beers that I am arguably too fond of and that I hope you’ll enjoy. Cheers!

The best Irish drinks

The first section of our guide looks at what I think are the best Irish drinks, and I’ve sampled enough of them over the years…

Below, you’ll find everything from Murphy’s and Baileys to some of the most popular drinks in Ireland.

1. Guinness

Guinness arguably tops the list of the most famous Irish drinks on the market today. It has been brewed at St. James’s Gate in Dublin since 1759.

For as far back as I can remember, Guinness has always been referred to as a stout, however, if you visit the Guinness website they now call it a beer…

Guinness is one of those Irish drinks, a little bit like an Irish coffee, that you eat with your eyes, first.

If you visit a pub that serves a decent pint, you’ll get a nice creamy head, no bitterness, and nice hints of coffee (see my guide to the best Guinness in Dublin if you’re visiting the capital).

2. Irish coffee

You can’t bate an Irish coffee on a cold winters evening, after a day of being lashed on by the rain while out walking in the countryside!

Now, if you’re wondering what an Irish coffee actually is, it’s coffee… with whiskey and it was invented in 1943 in County Limerick at the Foynes Airbase.

You also add a thick dollop of whipped cream on top along with some sugar. This is one of the more traditional Irish drinks and, if you follow this recipe, it’s very handy to make.

3. Baileys Irish Cream

Bailey’s will always remind me of Christmas. If you’re not familiar with it, Baileys Irish Cream is an Irish cream liqueur that launched in 1974 (it was the first Irish Cream to hit the market).

Although it looks a bit like chocolate milk, it is, in fact, an alcoholic drink that’s flavoured with cream, some cocoa, and, of course, a dash of Irish whiskey.

If you’re looking for classic Irish drinks that aren’t overly strong taste-wise and that can be nursed slowly, try Baileys. It’s sweet, indulgent, and perfect for after dinner.

4. Redbreast 12

Redbreast 12 is my favourite of the many Irish whiskey brands and it is the world’s most popular Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

One of the reasons that I’d list this amongst the best Irish drinks is how accessible the flavour profile is – even for people that aren’t too fond of whiskey, this is enjoyable.

Interestingly, it is one of only two single pot whiskeys that has been produced continuously since the early 1900s!

Redbreast is smooth, sweet and one of easier Irish whiskeys to drink straight.

5. Murphy’s Stout

Murphy’s Irish stout is one of several beers like Guinness that doesn’t get half the credit that it deserves.

It originated in Cork and dates back to 1856. Although it’s proving harder to find this on tap these days, it’s worth seeking out.

This stout is only 4% proof, so it’s pleasant to drink and leaves very little after taste.

I’ve also been told that it’s one of the few traditional Irish drinks that doesn’t give you a hangover, but I’ll have to report back on that!

6. Bulmers/Magners Irish Cider

The only cider on the list is Bulmers (in Ireland) or Magners (outside of Ireland). This is an Irish cider brand that’s produced in Tipperary from 17 varieties of apples.

It comes in cans, on draft and in ‘long-neck’ and pint bottles, it’s top is wrapped in a golden foil and it’s generally served over ice.

This is a one of several popular Irish drinks that tends to be fairly seasonal.

While the likes of Baileys is popular during the colder months, Bulmers popularity surges during summer.

7. Kilkenny

Kilkenny Irish cream ale began its life in the St. Francis Abbey Brewery in Kilkenny but it’s now brewed next to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.

As is the case with Guinness, Kilkenny is nitrogenated, so when it’s poured you get a nice thick head (best sampled in draught form).

It’s very rare that you’ll see this for sale in pubs, even in Ireland. The only pub I’ve seen it served in in Dublin is the Palace in Temple Bar.

However, if you can get your hands on it, expect a very smooth sip that’s surprisingly light and refreshing.

8. Jameson

Next up is Jameson – one of the most well known Irish alcoholic drinks in the world. It’s available in over 130 countries and it’s been sold internationally since the early 19th century.

This is a blended Irish whiskey that was one of the six main Dublin Whiskeys back in the day. However, Jameson is no longer distilled in the capital.

While production of the whiskey moved to the new Midleton Distillery in Cork, you can still take a tour of the old distillery on Bow St. in Dublin.

Drank neat or via one of many Jameson cocktails, this is one of the easier-to-sip Irish whiskeys.

9. Drumshanbo Irish Gin

Drumshanbo is the crown in the Irish gin category and it’s the perfect base for many St Patrick’s Day cocktails (it comes in a gorgeous bottle, too, which makes it a great gift).

It’s created in the Shed Distillery in the little village of Drumshanbo in County Leitrim and it has a lovely strong flavour profile that’s goes beautifully in a G&T.

Now widely available across 30 international markets, Drumshanbo is the type of drink to have tucked away in your press for when you need a potent tipple.

This is one of the more overlooked Irish liquor drinks and it’s a fine addition to any drinks collection.

10. Tullamore DEW

Tullamore DEW is hands-down one of the best cheap Irish whiskies. It was also the second-largest selling Irish whiskey brand globally in 2015, with sales of 950,000+ cases sold.

This whiskey was originally produced in Tullamore in Offaly, in an old distillery that was established in 1829.

You can get a 70cl bottle from around €24.95/$23.17 and you’ll get great bang for your buck.

This is a smooth and sweet Irish liquor that’s easy to sip and that acts as a great side-kick to a pint of Guinness.

11. Irish Maid

The Irish Maid is a very easy cocktail to knock up and it packs a punch flavour wise. You’ll need a good whiskey, some elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup and slices of cucumber.

You need to muddle two slices of cucumber in a shaker, first, and then add the rest of your ingredients, along with a handful of ice.

Shake hard and strain into a glass with ice. In my opinion, there are few Irish alcoholic drinks that are as easy and as tasty as the Irish Maid.

12. Nutty Irishman

The Nutty Irishman is one of the more popular Irish drinks to sip away on after dinner (it’s very indulgent). It’s also easy to dress up with garnish.

Ingredients wise, you’ll need Baileys Irish Cream, Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur, whipped cream, smashed hazelnuts for garnishing and ice (here are the measurements).

13. Espresso Martini with Baileys

Few traditional Irish drinks are as delicious as the Espresso Martini with Baileys. This one, when made correctly, really is a banger!

You’ll need freshly brewed espresso (not instant!), Baileys Irish Cream and vodka to mix this up (get a decent vodka). To make it, add whiskey, vodka and espresso to a shaker 1/2 filled with ice and shake.

Strain into a fresh glass and garnish with a couple of coffee beans. See more drinks like this in our guide to the best Irish whiskey cocktails.

What do Irish people drink?

I get emails constantly asking, “What do they drink in Ireland?” And honestly, I struggle to give a simple answer.

Why? Because there’s no one-size-fits-all Irish drink—everyone’s taste is different.

Sure, you could pull a list of the best-selling drinks in Ireland and get a rough idea, but that’s still a broad generalisation. Some stick to pints of Guinness, others swear by whiskey, and plenty opt for cider, gin, or even an Irish cocktail.

If you’re reading this and you’re Irish, drop a comment below—what’s your go-to drink?