With the bright flavor of lemon juice and refreshing flavor of cucumber, this Irish Maid cocktail is the perfect summer drink. It’s a delicious drink from first sip to last drop!
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Irish Maid Cocktail Recipe
Everyone knows and loves classic cocktails like the whiskey sour and Manhattan. But modern classics like this refreshing Irish whiskey cocktail are growing in popularity, and rightfully so!
This contemporary classic cocktail is made with cucumber, lemon juice, Irish whiskey, simple syrup, and St-Germain elderflower liqueur. The combination of flavors results in a wonderfully refreshing beverage that is just perfect for a hot summer day.
It has become a very popular cocktail to make around St. Patrick’s Day too. It seems the luck of the Irish has created magic in the world of cocktail drinks!
Whether you need a tasty new drink for your backyard barbecue, or want to experiment with something that has a classic flare, this Irish maid drink is a wonderful recipe to try. Grab your favorite Irish whiskey and some fresh cucumbers and let’s get started!
More St. Patricks Day recipes: Herbal Limeade • Baby Guinness Shots • Green Mimosas
Why you’ll love this recipe
I love this modern classic cocktail recipe for so many different reasons:
- An Irish maid is classy yet understated at the same time. It can be a wonderful party beverage but is just as perfect for kicking back next to the pool too!
- You only need five basic ingredients to make this easy cocktail. You may already have most, if not everything, in your home bar already!
- A really nice Irish whiskey can sometimes be a little pricey. With a recipe like the Irish maid, you can do justice to the flavors of your quality whiskey!
What is an Irish Maid cocktail?
The Irish Maid is a spin on the Kentucky Maid, a bourbon cocktail by New York City bartender Sam Ross of the bar Milk & Honey. This famous bartender is also known for modern classics like the Penicillin and the Paper Plane.
An Irish Maid is similar to a whiskey smash since the cucumber is muddled before mixing it with the other cocktail ingredients. A whiskey smash uses the same technique, just with fruit instead of cucumber.
Tools & glassware
To make an Irish maid, you’ll need a few different tools. Make sure that you have a cocktail shaker and a muddler, as well as a jigger to measure out each of the ingredients.
You’ll also need plenty of ice and rock glasses to serve the finished product!
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With five ingredients you can make a classy and refreshing cocktail in no time. Here’s what you’ll need:
- cucumber
- Irish whiskey
- St. Germain elderflower liqueur
- fresh lemon juice
- simple syrup
Substitutions & variations
When it comes to whiskey, there are tons of brands and types that you can use. However, Irish whiskey is a whole different world. If you don’t know what to grab, check out my Irish whiskey guide. I used Jameson in this recipe, but you can also use other brands of Irish whiskey such as Tullamore D.E.W., Dead Rabbit or Bushmills.
You can also use bourbon whiskey and turn this drink into the classic Kentucky Mule.
You can use store-bought simple syrup or make your own homemade simple syrup! Feel free to modify the flavor a bit by using mint simple syrup.
How to Make an Irish Maid Cocktail
Ready to learn how to make this Irish maid cocktail? Then let’s get started! Here’s the step by step instructions:
Add the cucumber to a cocktail shaker and muddle it to release its juices. You’ll want to mash it but not smash it — we want juice not a purée!
Then add Irish whiskey, the St. Germain elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and simple syrup. Top with ice and shake vigorously.
Then strain the mixture into a rocks glass that is filled with ice. Garnish with a cucumber twist and serve!
Tips & tricks
With these simple tips, you can have a delicious cocktail every single time:
- For the best flavor, use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled juice. Just grab some fresh lemons at the store so that you have them on hand whenever you need them!
- Don’t make this cocktail until just before you plan to serve it. Nothing is worse than a watered down drink, especially on a hot day.
- If you do not have a muddler, you can use the end of a wooden spoon to muddle the cucumber! A rolling pin is also a great substitute.
What to serve with an Irish Maid Cocktail
Pair this refreshing cocktail with fruity favorites like baked peaches or fresh peach salsa with pita chips. It’s also the perfect pairing for your backyard cookout that’s loaded with homemade hamburgers and chicken wings.
Tasty snacks like whipped feta dip and spinach artichoke dip are two creamy favorites that would be great with this drink!
Or go Irish with some Baileys cookies or Guinness cake.
FAQ
Yes! Jameson whiskey is a very high-quality whiskey. It is produced at the Midleton Distillery in Ireland, making it an authentic Irish liquor.
Most people would say that Irish whiskey is best served at room temperature. However, it is quite tasty chilled too! It really comes down to personal preference because you can serve it either way.
More Irish Cocktails
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Irish Maid Cocktail
ingredients
- 2 slices cucumber
- 2 ounces Irish whiskey such as Jameson
- ½ ounce elderflower liqueur such as St. Germain
- ¾ ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle cucumber to release its juices.
- Add Irish whiskey, St. Germain, lemon juice and syrup. Top with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a cucumber slice.
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