This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.
Cocktail History
The Shamrock is a vintage cocktail that was created in the 1930s by Harry Craddock at The Savoy Hotel in London, England. It’s a simple and refreshing recipe that calls for Irish whiskey as the base spirit and pairs it with dry vermouth, Green Chartreuse, and dark crème de menthe, which is what gives it its festive green color and makes it a great pick for post-dinner sipping on St. Patrick’s Day.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Irish Whiskey: This is a type of whiskey made in Ireland made with unmalted or malted barley, cereal grains, spices, and water. I used Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey.
Dry Vermouth: This is a fortified wine made with grapes, sugar, botanicals, herbs, sugar, and alcohol. I used Dolin Dry Vermouth de Chambéry.
Green Chartreuse: This is a liqueur made in France with over a hundred herbs and plants, spices, sugar, and alcohol.
Green Crème De Menthe: This is a liqueur made with mint, sugar, green food coloring, and alcohol. I used Drillaud Green Crème De Menthe.
Mint Sprig: This is an herb. I used Mojito mint.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Mixing Glass: This is used to hold the ingredients while they’re being stirred. I used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Julep Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is stirred. I used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2024-10-14.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Vibrant light green color
• Aroma: Menthol and mint
• Taste: Ice-cold flavor mixture of whiskey and nutty vermouth
• Finish: Mint and herbal Chartreuse notes
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “When a cocktail has a lovely green color, it’s often a signal that it’s going to be made with kitschy dyed ingredients. This one’s fairly different though because, aside from the green crème de menthe, it’s a seriously boozy drink. I ended up accidentally trying two versions—one with sweet vermouth and another with dry, which was the correct one—and the cocktail with sweet vermouth ended up being much tastier. I still wouldn’t make the Shamrock though, if I’m honest. The flavor is unique, but it’s also kind of weird. I didn’t love it, but hey, it’s worth a try if you want to serve something minty and green after dinner on St. Patrick’s Day.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Difford’s Guide, an online guide to cocktails, spirits, and liqueurs.
Shamrock
The Shamrock is a vintage cocktail that was created in the 1930s by Harry Craddock at The Savoy Hotel in London, England. It’s a simple and refreshing recipe that calls for Irish whiskey as the base spirit and pairs it with dry vermouth, Green Chartreuse, and dark crème de menthe, which is what gives it its festive green color and makes it a great pick for post-dinner sipping on St. Patrick’s Day.
Ingredients
Method
-
Add whiskey, dry vermouth, Green Chartreuse, green crème de menthe, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
-
Stir for 30-45 seconds.
-
Strain into a cocktail glass.
-
Garnish with mint sprig.
