Here’s The Best Cocktail In Every County In Ireland, And Where To Find Each One

First we brought you a county-by-county guide for coffee.

Then we brought you the ultimate list of fry ups.

Now we bring you cocktails, lots of cocktails. Go ahead, get your drink on. 

Antrim – Rita’s Randy Julep, Rita’s, 

Linen Quarter, Belfast

This julep is shaken together using raspberry cordial, Plymouth gin, fresh pineapple, Maraschino liquer and topped with a generous splash of prosecco. 

Fortunately for you, Rita’s offer a happy hour from 5-7pm Sunday-Thursday with all cocktails costing a mere £4.50. Happy you most certainly would be. 

Armagh – Day In Jamaica, Keegan’s

Irish Street, Armagh town

We’d all love a day in Jamaica, but if you’re like me and you can just about afford a cocktail then you’ll just have to settle for one of those instead. This one.

Thank God they’re only £3 on the weekends too. Nobody knows what exactly’s in this one, but it does the job. 

Carlow – The Mojito, Tully’s

Tullow Street, Carlow Town

Many city slickers would be shocked to learn that Carlow even has cocktails – the notions of them – but Tully’s Bar mix one hell of a mojito. 

AND it’s made with their own home grown mint.

A bar that grows its own mint? Must be legit. 

Cavan – Strawberry Daiquiri, Slieve Russell Hotel

Ballyconnell, Co Cavan

We had to search high and low for this one, but alas we found an icy daiquiri in the wonderful Slieve Russell. 

Made with fresh strawberries, rum, triple sec and lime juice this one is the perfect “first drink” before you start your night. 

Clare – Passionfruit Caipirinha, Flanagans Bar

Main Street, Lahinch

Made with cachaça liqueur, this cocktail is perfect for when you have those “I’m just going for one” notions. 

Yeah, right.

Cork – Espresso Martini, Electric Bar

South Mall Street, Cork City

With the arrival of the espresso martini our lives changed forever. 

Not only did our quality of life increase, our energy levels did too. Electric use vanilla Absolut, Kahlua and delicious espresso in theirs and it’s pretty damn good. 

Mind you, the whiskey jam (below) is also worth a go…

Donegal – Rainbow Daiquiris, McGettigan’s

Pearse Road, Letterkenny

Whatever about daiquiris being old news – new spot McGettigan’s are bringing them back with a bang with every colour under the sun.

We shouldn’t be so fascinated, but we are. 

Derry – Berry Blast, The Gate Bistro & Cocktail Bar

Castle Street, Derry

There’s something about berries and alcohol that is just so right. 

Down – Sex in Paul’s Bedroom, Grumpy’s

High Street, Bangor

Enjoy ordering this one at the bar – though your fleeting mortification will be well worth it, we assure you.

A mixture of Chambord, Malibu and pineapple juice, it’s simple yet tastes very complex. 

We’ll have six please.

Dublin – The New Market Sour, Sophie’s

Harcourt Street, Dublin

Now, this one was faaaar from easy to narrow down but we just had to go with the New Market Sour from Sophie’s.

First of all: the view of beautiful Dublin City from this spot cannot be beaten.

Second of all: the blend of Teelings Whiskey, lemon, honey, Lillet Rouge and frothy egg whites is a work of art. Slides down your throat like liquid gold. 

Fermanagh – Cosmopolitan, The Bush

Townhall Street, Enniskillen

The bistro at The Bush is gorge – great atmosphere, unreal food and stunning cocktails.

Our choice here would be a cosmo – sounds basic, but at The Bush it’s not. They use vodka, triple sec, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice and finish it with a flamed orange. 

Sold.

Galway – Sangria Heaven For Two, The g Hotel

A tough decision, with Tribeton, The Glasshouse and The House making it harder again to choose just one – but in The g Hotel we have a clear winner.

Rosé wine swirled with brandy and grilled orange and lemon slices AND the choice of having it served hot or cold. Perfection exists, for a whopping-but-worth-it €19, and their passion for cocktails can be felt across the bar.

Kerry – Mojito, The Europe Hotel

Fossa, Killarney

What’s better than a mojito? A mojito with a view, and you won’t find a better one than this.

Damn, rum just tastes better al fresco. 

Kildare – Light & Stormy, Avenue 

Main Street, Maynooth

A refreshing mixture of Bacardi, lime juice and ginger beer over ice.

Simple, but SO good. 

Kilkenny – Skip & Go Naked, Biddy Early’s Cocktail Bar

John Street, Kilkenny Town

Biddy Early’s is one of those places you have to visit at least once in your life.

This €8 cocktail in particular is incredible. It is a blend of vodka, blue Curaçao, Galliano, pineapple and orange juice.

Mind you, if that doesn’t give you a hangover I don’t know what will – go forth and celebrate, for you are invincible. 

Laois – Unnamed Cocktail, Number 47

Main Street, Portlaoise

It’s got pear, kiwi, mandarin, strawberry and forest fruits. But what is it?! 

Who knows.

We’d also recommend their Cool Cucumber prosecco cocktail – fab.

Leitrim – Kopparberg Daiquiri, The Barrelstore

Bridge Street, Carrick on Shannon

Daiquiris traditionally have white rum and triple sec, but this one is made from strawberry Kopparberg – the dream. 

Limerick – Honey Bee, Coqbull

Thomas Street, Limerick City

The Honey Bee is sweet yet bitter, the perfect blend of mandarin vodka, fresh lime, fresh mandarin and honey.

In the words of Kanye West: “Uh huh, honey”. 

Longford – Strawberry Daiquiri, The Spiral Tree

Main Street, Longford town

Once again – you can’t go wrong with a good daiq. 

Louth – Lynchberg Lemonade, The Loft

Newry Street, Carlingford

This Lynchberg Lemonade is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Jack Daniels, orange liqueur, sours and, of course, lemonade – all over ice. Yum.

Mayo – Perfect Company, Hotel Westport

Newport Road, Westport

Hotel Westport’s extensive cocktail list made it pretty tough to choose just one, but Perfect Company is a sure winner in my eyes. 

The perfect concoction of gin, Bénédictine liquer, Angostura bitters, absinthe, orange and lemon juice. This cocktail is €9 and will not disappoint. 

Meath – Garden Elixir, Dunboyne Castle

Dunboyne, Co Meath

Not only is this hotel swanky AF, but so are its cocktails.

We had to go with the Garden Elixir with Absolut pear vodka, cranberry, pineapple and lime juice.

Shaken, not stirred.

Monaghan – Whiskey Berry Smash, Shifty Mulhares 

Westenra Arms Hotel, The Diamond, Co Monaghan

A local favourite in one of the coolest venues around. Shifty Mulhares has a kitsch-y, bizarre yet cool interior.

The name alone draws crowds, but the cocktails are what keep ’em coming back night after night. 

Offaly – Lady’s Dream, Bridge House Bar

Bridge Street, Tullamore

Sexist name aside, this cocktail is actually super good.

A sweet mixture of Baileys, Tia Maria, grenadine and cream. Sounds gross, but is actually beyond decent.

Roscommon – Long Island Iced Tea, Piano Bar

Dublingate Street, Athlone

Errrbody loves a good iced tea. You’ve got your vodka, your gin, your rum, your tequila, triple sec, lime and coke. 

Get in.

Sligo – The Fluffy Monkey, Lillies

Bridge Street, Sligo Town

This funky cocktail is an absolute treat. 

Sligo has many great drinking spots but Lillies stands out as a unique and intimate bar, with live music and lovely banterful staff. 

Tipperary – Bellini, The Pepper Mill 

Kenyon Street, Nenagh

Peach Schnapps and peach purée topped with prosecco – yes please. 

Tyrone – Sour Bush, McAleers 

Donaghmore Road, Dungannon 

Interesting name, but fab cocktail nonetheless. A gorge combo of Bushmills Whiskey, sugar, fresh limes and lemons. 

Waterford – Elderflower Collins, Bodega

John Street, Waterford Town

St Germain elderflower liqueur swirled together with lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda water. 

‘Cos anything elderflower is nice but elderflower alcohol is amazing. 

Westmeath – Little Zinger, Fence

Oliver Plunkett St, Mullingar

Fence is fab but their cocktails are phenomenal – honestly. 

The Little Zinger is a beaut blend of raspberry purée, egg whites, freshly squeezed lemon juice and vanilla Ansolut. Gorge. 

Wexford – Bombay Bramble, Maggie May’s

Monk Street, Wexford Town

Bombay Sapphire gin, lemon juice, sugar and Chambord raspberry liqueur. YUM.

Wicklow – Raspberry Bré/Drumstick, Box Burger 

Strand Row, Bray Prom

It was literally impossible to pick just one of Box Burger’s cocktails – it’s like choosing which of your parents you prefer. 

You just can’t.

So I’ve decided on two. The Raspberry Bré, with gin, raspberries and cucumber, or the Drumstick with raspberry vodka, vanilla vodka, lime juice, sugar syrup and an actual drumstick lolly.

I’m drooling.

So now. Let the arguments commence…

READ: This Is Where To Get The Best Coffee In Every County In Ireland

READ: This Is Where To Get The Best Fry-Up Breakfast In Every County In Ireland