The Irish Trash Can drink is a bold, party-style cocktail made with multiple spirits, blue curaçao, and an energy drink dropped into the glass for its signature green color. This recipe is easy to make and perfect for St. Patrick's Day parties and celebrations.
🔍 Quick Look: Irish Trash Can Drink Recipe
⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 5 minutes
🍹 Yield: 1 cocktail
🥃 Alcohol: Vodka, gin, rum, triple sec, peach schnapps, blue curaçao
🥤 Mixer: Red Bull Energy drink (dropped can or topped off)
🥛 Glass: 16-ounce glass or larger
🧰 Tools: Jigger, bar spoon
🎉 Best For: St. Patrick's Day parties, bar-style cocktails, group celebrations
⭐ Difficulty: Easy (no shaking required)
Summarize and Save This Content On:
Doesn't this drink just scream good times? The sweet and potent cocktail is a staple at college parties, bars, and of course, St. Patrick's Day.
It’s a mixed drink similar to a Long Island Iced Tea or AMF, with a mix of many different types of alcohol but instead of a splash of soda, this drink is topped with a whole can of Red Bull Energy drink, often sticking out of the glass so it looks like trash in a trash can. Serve with some shamrock pretzels and it’s a simple and fun addition to your St. Patrick’s day party.
Key Ingredients
See the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and quantities.
- Red Bull Energy Drink: Traditionally, a small can of Red Bull is dropped into the glass or used to top off the drink for the classic presentation. But, you can use your favorite energy drink, such as Monster Energy. Just know the yellow color of Red Bull is what gives this drink its signature green color.
- Peach Schnapps: You can decrease the amount of peach schnapps, or even omit it.
- Triple Sec: Cointreau or other orange or citrus liqueur can be substituted if desired.
- Light Rum: To keep the green color of the drink, be sure to use a light rum and not dark rum.
About This Cocktail 🍹
This festive drink uses 6 different types of alcohol: Gin, Vodka, Light Rum, Triple Sec, Peach Schnapps, and Blue Curaçao. It's then topped with an energy drink, ideally Red Bull, for an extra boost of caffeine and sugar. The drink packs a punch, so please drink responsibly.
How to Make an Irish Trash Can
- Add Blue Curaçao: Pour the Blue Curaçao into the bottom of the glass.
- Add Ice: Fill the glass about ½ to ¾ way full of ice. Pouring the ice after the Blue Curaçao gives a more layered look to the cocktail.
- Add Liquors: Add the remaining alcohol of vodka, gin, peach schnapps, rum, and triple sec.
- Top with Red Bull: Add the Red Bull by either topping off the drink with the energy drink or quickly flipping the can upside down and placing the entire can into the glass. As the Red Bull empties in the drink, the yellow energy drink will mix with the blue curaçao to turn the drink a fun bright green color!
Tips and Tricks
- Pouring the blue curacao first gives a more layered look to the cocktail.
- .75 oz equals 1.5 tablespoons of alcohol or ½ a jigger.
- For larger serving glasses such as punch bowls or fish bowls, you can increase the alcohol pour to 1 to 2 oz.
- For smaller glasses or a less boozy drink, you can use a .5 oz pour of each alcohol.
FAQ
While the history and origin of this drink is somewhat unclear, it's typically served with the entire can of Red Bull in the drink glass. This makes it look like trash sticking out of a trash can. Plus, the mix of yellow energy drink and Blue Curaçao turns the drink green, hence the Irish in the name!
It is a very sweet drink that tastes like the tangy and citrusy energy drink with a boozy kick, and sweet and fruity flavors from the peach schnapps and triple sec.
Because we're adding a whole can of energy drink, you want to make sure the serving glass is large enough, at least 16 oz. A large collins glass or pint glass works well. If there is too much liquid, alcohol, and ice, the drink will overflow as the energy drink empties into the glass.
Always use the smaller 8.4 oz can of Red Bull. If using Monster energy drink, which are typically bigger cans, I recommend pouring it into the glass rather than placing the entire can on top. Or, use a larger serving bowl, such as a fish bowl.
How to Serve
There are a few different and fun ways to serve this cocktail. The first is in a large cocktail glass, such as a pint glass. For this method, you can either add the entire can of energy drink on top, as shown in the pictures. Or, simply pour the energy drink on top and serve with a straw and an optional slice of lemon or orange.
The second is to use a fish bowl or a punch bowl. You'll sometimes find it served this way in bars or restaurants. This will most often have the whole can of Red Bull on top and use 1 to 2 oz pours of each alcohol.
More Festival Cocktails 💫
Irish Trash Can Drink
INGREDIENTS
- ¾ oz Blue Curaçao
- ¾ oz Vodka
- ¾ oz Gin
- ¾ oz Light Rum
- ¾ oz Peach Schnapps optional
- ¾ oz Triple Sec or Cointreau
- 1 Can Red Bull 8.4 oz
- Ice
Instructions
- Pour the Blue Curacao into the bottom of a large pint glass.
- Fill the glass ½ to ¾ way with ice.
- Add remaining alcohol ingredients.
- Add the Red Bull by quickly flipping the can upside down and placing the entire can into the glass.
- Alternatively you can pour the energy drink on top, and serve with a straw and slice of lemon or orange.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Pouring the blue curaçao first gives a more layered look to the cocktail.
- .75 oz equals 1.5 tablespoons of alcohol or ½ a jigger.
- For larger serving glasses such as punch bowls or fish bowls, you can increase the alcohol pour to 1 to 2 oz.
- For smaller glasses or a less boozy drink, you can use a .5 oz pour of each alcohol.
Sophia Assunta says
This is such a fun drink, I hope you give it a try!!