Skip the Green Beer—Here’s an Easy Green Cocktail You’ll Actually Want to Drink

St. Patrick’s Day is the one day of the year when you not only wear green and eat green, you’re even encouraged to drink green. We get that can be a little unsettling, because unless you’re swiggin’ celery juice, you might end up drinking sickly-sweet dyed beverages all day long—or worse: green beer. 

This year, we’ll be kicking off our St. Pat’s Day celebrations with a brunch cocktail full of Irish holiday spirit: a green mimosa. The three-ingredient cocktail couldn't be any easier, and the gorgeous green hue will make it pop on any shamrock-studded brunch spread.

How to Make a Green Mimosa

Start with a classic mimosa (you know the one) with the sparkling wine-to-OJ ratio just how you prefer it. With just a splash of blue Curaçao, the mimosa becomes a stunning emerald green spritzer, brimming with leprechaun magic.

How does this work? When the sunny-colored orange juice mixes with the electric blue liqueur, it creates a vibrant green hue (yep, we're going back to the color theory of our kindergarten days). It’s just the right balance of festive and fancy, perfect for serving at breakfast or brunch before a day of parades or enjoying as a fun happy hour treat.

The best part? It’s actually delicious! Blue Curaçao liqueur compliments the orange juice nicely, delivering a sweet orange peel flavor with a touch of bitterness at the end. 

We’re not loading up on the green food coloring here—we’re becoming master mixologists.

If you’re wary of an extra-sweet sipper, opt for a "brut" Champagne or prosecco, but if you prefer the sweeter side, "extra dry" varieties will work too. If you really want to harness the holiday magic, you could rim the edges of your glasses with crushed Lucky Charms marshmallows or green sanding sugar.

So, no, you don’t have to glug down an artificially light beer to participate in the festivities. Now you have an easy, elevated green cocktail that's heavy on fun and light on phoniness. After all, St. Patrick’s Day is best enjoyed with a beverage in hand.

Looking for Other Dishes for Your St. Paddy’s Day Brunch?

If you ask us, there’s no St. Patrick’s Day breakfast better than a diner-style Corned Beef Hash (whether it’s a morning-of or morning-after feast). But, to really round out your weekend spread, be sure to include these Irish Cheddar Spring Onion Biscuits, tasty Striker's Potatoes O'Brien, and the ever-popular Grandpa McAndrew's Irish Soda Bread as well. Plus, it’s never too early for cake—not when it’s this Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Cake complete with Irish cream frosting.