7 St. Patrick's Day Drinks Better Than Green Beer

If you've been of legal drinking age for at least a year, you've probably found yourself drinking a foamy green beer sometime around mid-March wondering how the water-flavored concoction got in your hand in the first place, and why, in the name of St. Patrick, you're actually drinking it. You'll be so pleased to hear that there's a wide world of festive St. Patrick's Day drinks that look and taste so great, you will think you've found a pot of gold at the end of the aisle at the Rainbow Liquor Mart. But you're a grown-ass lady and you don't need the luck of the Irish to drink something delicious this St. Paddy's — just a few important ingredients and a little know-how.

That's where I come in. I have (a lucky) seven cocktail recipes to share that will help you get your St. Patrick's Day festivities kicked off in style. Although, the 17th is on a Thursday this year, so you may want to wait until the following day to get the party started. From green tea and champagne punch to a spicy Scotch whiskey cocktail, you'll want to garnish all of these drinks with four leaved clovers. Let's get to it.

1. The Green Shamrock

This is the first time we'll see Midori, the happy green melon-flavored liqueur, in this batch of recipes. Make a big batch of these cocktails in a pitcher for large St. Patrick's Day gatherings. You'll need:

2 oz. Bisol Jeio Prosecco D.O.C.2 1/2 oz. pear and apple juice1/3 oz. Midori1/3 oz. simple syrup Decoration: orange peel, caramelized pear

In a glass or pitcher filled with ice, pour juice, Midori, and simple syrup. Mix well, and pour into glasses until they are one-third full. Top with prosecco.

2. The Last Word

This vibrant cocktail is made in a shaker with the herbaceous liqueur Green Chartreuse and lime juice contributing the awesome color. Find the recipe and instructions at The Kitchn.

3. The Lucano Cup O' Gold

This cocktail isn't green, but with a little cucumber and mint to garnish, you'll be thanking your lucky leprechauns that you've got this recipe in your repertoire. You'll need:

1 ½ oz. Amaro Lucano2 oz. Green apple juice2 oz. Ginger ale

Mix the drink directly in a glass and serve with a slice of cucumber, a slice of lemon and orange, a sprig of mint, and ice. That's it!

4. Green Tea Punch

Originally crafted as a holiday cocktail, this mimosa-style green tea punch with delicious pomegranate juice will keep you cool on a warm St. Patrick's Day afternoon. Find out how to make it over at FoodFanatic.

5. The Lucky Negroni

With just three ingredients, this super simple yet stiff gin drink will keep you coming back for more. You'll need:

1 ½ oz. Vermouth Royal Blanc1 ½ oz. G’Vine Gin1 oz. Suze

Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass, and stir.

6. The Melon Ball

Midori, we meet again. This cocktail with a color reminiscent of the infamous Ecto Cooler is sort of a vodka melon-tini complete with frozen melon balls for garnish. Find out how to create these colorful cocktails over at The Kitchn.

7. A Wee Little Pot O' Gold

Count me in for number seven — a magically green Scotch cocktail with a dash of orange bitters. That sounds like something I'm going to need in my life this St. Paddy's. You'll need:

2 oz. Usquaebach Reserve4 oz. Club Soda2 dash orange bittersTwist of lemonFill a highball glass with ice. Add bitters and scotch. Fill with cub soda. Add lemon twist as a garnish.

However you choose to celebrate St Patrick's Day this year, be safe, and don't forget to wear green!

For more ideas, check out Bustle on YouTube.

Images: Stefano Galligioni (5); The Kitchn (2); FoodFanatic