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A colorful rim and a bright green drink make this cocktail a showstopper. Rainbow rim green Irish whiskey cocktail blends smooth Irish whiskey with tangy sour apple schnapps, melon liqueur and cranberry juice for a balance of sweet and tart. The rainbow sugar rim makes it as fun to look at as it is to drink. This cocktail comes together quickly but looks like something you’d order at a festive bar on St. Patrick’s Day or sip during a Pride celebration.
Rainbow rim green Irish whiskey cocktail mixes Irish whiskey, sour apple schnapps, melon liqueur and cranberry juice with a rainbow sugar rim for a vibrant drink.
You might also like St Patrick’s Day cookies with buttercream dip, air fryer lucky charms donuts or these frosted Lucky Charms cookies.
Why You’ll Love It
Colorful look: The rainbow sugar rim makes every glass festive.
Balanced flavor: Sweet, tart and citrusy notes blend perfectly.
Quick to mix: Ready in minutes with simple ingredients.
Customizable garnish: Add a lollipop or cherry for fun presentation.
Irish Whiskey Cocktail Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Lemon wedge: Used to help the rainbow sugar stick to the rim.
Sanding sugar: Colored sugar creates the rainbow effect on the glass.
Ice: Chills the cocktail while mixing.
Irish whiskey: Adds warmth and depth to the drink.
Sour apple schnapps: Brings tangy, fruity flavor.
Cranberry juice: Adds sweetness and bright pink color.
Melon liqueur: Gives the drink its vibrant green hue and melon taste.
Rainbow lollipop and maraschino cherry: Optional fun garnishes.
How to Make Rainbow Rim Whiskey Cocktails
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare sugar rim: Arrange colored sugars in rainbow order on a plate.
Rim the glass: Run lemon around the rim and dip into the sugars.
Mix cocktail: Add whiskey, schnapps, cranberry juice and melon liqueur to a mixing glass with ice.
Stir and strain: Stir until chilled, then strain into the prepared glass.
Garnish: Add lollipop and cherry if desired.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: Use a certified gluten-free whiskey brand.
Juice swap: Try pomegranate juice for a deeper color.
Less sweet: Use unsweetened cranberry juice for a tarter flavor.
Extra citrus: Add a squeeze of lime for more brightness.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Begin your Irish feast with Irish nachos or green goddess salad.
Main dish: Next, serve up a Crockpot corned beef hash au gratin or these fun Irish style tacos.
Dessert: Enjoy St. Patrick’s cookies and buttercream dip or pistachio pudding coffee cake with your rainbow rim green Irish whiskey cocktails.
How to Store Rainbow Rimmed Cocktails
Store: These are best enjoyed immediately after making, but you can prepare the cocktail ahead and keep it refrigerated until serving.
Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing this cocktail.
Top Tips
Chill the glass: A cold glass keeps the drink refreshing longer.
Stir, don’t shake: Stirring keeps the drink clear instead of frothy.
Use fresh citrus: It makes the rim stick and adds subtle flavor.
Keep sugar dry: Moisture can make colored sugars clump together.
Green Irish Whiskey Cocktail FAQs
Yes, swap the spirits for lemon-lime soda or juice for a mocktail version.
Try citrus slices, mint sprigs or fun drink stirrers.
Any 6-ounce cocktail glass works fine.
Green Irish Whiskey Cocktail Recipe
Rainbow Rim Green Irish Whiskey Cocktail
Equipment
- Strainer
- Cocktail Mixing Glass
- Cocktail Glass 6-Ounce
Ingredients
Optional Garnishes
- 1 maraschino cherry
- 1 rainbow lollipop
Optional Rimming Ingredients
- 1 Wedge lemon
- sanding sugar, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple –
Instructions
Rim the Glass
- On a small, shallow plate, create a triangle of red sanding sugar beginning at the plate’s center and covering one-sixth of the plate. Starting, again at the center of the plate, sprinkle a triangle of green sanding sugar directly across from the red triangle.
- While you could just go in color-order, I find it easier to make the triangles approximately the same size and shape if I begin with a mirror image of the red sugar. Continue adding colored sugars in rainbow order (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, then purple) until all of the colors are used and the circle is complete.
- Swipe a lemon wedge around the rim of a 6-ounce cocktail glass. Dip the rim of the glass down into the colored sugars.
Prepare the Cocktail
- Fill cocktail mixing glass about halfway with ice. Add Irish whiskey, apple pucker, pink cranberry juice, and melon liqueur.
- Stir with a cocktail spoon for about 30 seconds, or until chilled throughout.
- Strain into prepared cocktail glass.
Add Garnishes
- Rest a rainbow lollipop across the rim of the glass. Place a maraschino cherry and a shamrock/clover on top of the lollipop, if liked.
Notes
Stir, don’t shake: Stirring keeps the drink clear instead of frothy.
Use fresh citrus: It makes the rim stick and adds subtle flavor.
Keep sugar dry: Moisture can make colored sugars clump together.
Nutrition
Bright, sweet and tangy, rainbow rim green Irish whiskey cocktail is as fun to make as it is to drink. The rainbow sugar rim creates a festive look while the mix of whiskey, schnapps and fruit juices delivers balanced flavor. It comes together quickly and can be customized with your favorite garnishes. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any time you want a cheerful cocktail, this melon whiskey recipe always gets attention. Whip some up and sip some liquid luck soon!
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This is absolutely perfect for St. Patricks day!
Ok this is seriously the cutest! I love the rainbow!
It sounds delicous and LOOKS fabulous! Loving that rainbow rim ❤
This cocktail is so much fun! I can’t wait to pour a few of these for St. Patrick’s Day.
Such a fun cocktail idea, it’ll be perfect for a party
Can’t wait to try this. I love melon liquer