In the world of alcohol, Ireland is famous for its prestigious whiskey and a range of other beverages. If you are looking to try some Irish-made drinks, here is a list of the top 10 which are incredibly popular around the world.
One of the most popular Irish drinks is poitin which can also be referred to as poteen or potheen. It is a powerful liquor that can be distilled from a variety of ingredients.
Guinness
Guinness is a world-famous stout beer that is available in over 50 countries around the world. It is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the world, with an estimated 10 million pints of Guinness being consumed every day.
It is brewed from roasted malted barley, which gives it a dark ruby color and a rich aroma. It also contains hops and yeast, which ferment sugars to produce alcohol in the beer.
The beer also has nitrogen gas, which is added during the production process to provide it with its iconic creamy texture. This technique is called nitrogenation and helps make the beer feel more filling while reducing calories, according to Bamforth.
As a result, it can be enjoyed by everyone — from vegans to people who want a lower-calorie drink with a delicious flavor. It is also known for its high levels of calcium and dietary silicon, which are essential for bone health.
Baileys Irish Cream
Baileys is a popular and creamy liqueur that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It can be mixed into a variety of cocktails and also used in desserts such as ice cream and fudge.
The name of this liqueur comes from the founders’ initials. This marketing strategy was used to make the drink appear authentic and to give it a sense of being Irish in origin, according to The Irish Times.
This liqueur is made with fresh cream and Irish whiskey that’s triple distilled. It’s served neat, over ice, or in coffee.
It’s one of the top-selling liqueurs in the world. It’s also available in a lighter version with 40 percent less sugar.
The original Baileys recipe pairs Irish whiskey with cream and chocolate. The recipe has been refined over the years to add a variety of flavors to appeal to different tastes. The company produces more than 80 million bottles of the liqueur each year and exports it to 180 countries.
Shamrock Shake
The Shamrock Shake is a popular treat at McDonald’s, and has been around for over 50 years. It’s a cult classic that people count down to each year as a special treat to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, which usually occurs in February or March.
The recipe for the original Shamrock Shake started out as a mixture of lemon-lime sherbet, vanilla ice cream and vanilla syrup dyed green for the occasion. It evolved into a simple vanilla shake dyed green in 1973, with mint syrup added in 1983.
When Fred Evans’ daughter, Audrey, was diagnosed with leukemia in 1974, she and her family needed help paying for treatment costs. Luckily, they were able to raise enough funds to buy a four-story house for families in need of a place to stay while their loved ones were in the hospital. And the Shamrock Shake was the perfect vehicle to get the word out. From 1975 on, a portion of each drink sold would go to the Ronald McDonald House charity.
Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is a warm drink made with whiskey, brown sugar and whipped cream. It is popular during cold winters and late sessions.
The recipe is simple and can be easily made at home. The key to a delicious Irish coffee is using the proper ingredients and stirring them well.
When making the drink, it is important to use a fine grind of coffee. You can also swap in a liquid sweetener, such as honey, maple syrup or agave nectar.
However, you must stir the mix well to dissolve the sugar before pouring into the cup. This ensures that the coffee and whiskey are evenly distributed throughout the drink.
According to lore, the first version of the Irish coffee was invented at Foynes Airport in Ireland in 1943 by Chef Joe Sheridan. He brought the coffee to passengers on a Pan Am flight that turned back to Foynes due to bad weather. Sheridan added a small amount of Irish whiskey and topped the cup with whipped cream.