9 Irish Drinks To Try (If Guinness Isn’t Your Thing)

Whiskey and Guinness have elbowed their way to center stage, but poítin is just as storied, having been distilled for centuries. It was originally developed by monks in the sixth century by distilling malted barley in small copper pots; this is still the preferred production method today.

Poítin disappeared from the mainstream after Britain outlawed production in 1661, but it has slowly crept back into bars and pubs since it was decriminalized in 1997. Expect a slight sweetness and subtle grainy flavor if you try a glass today. However, there are different versions of poítin; traditional Irish spirit brands include Smuggling Nun, Bán Poítin, Micil, Mourne Dew, and Mad March Hare.

Where to try poítin: For whiskey and poítin tastings, check out Micil Distillery, a 15-minute bus ride from Galway’s city center.

Did you know?: Poítin translates to “little pot” in Gaelic, from the copper pots the spirit is made in.

If you’re looking for traditional Irish drinks without Guinness, Irish whiskey should be at the top of your list. The smoothest-tasting pours, such as those by Jameson and Teeling, use triple-distillation to remove impurities. However, there are plenty of options to fill out a whistlestop Irish whiskey tasting guide, whether you’re visiting Ireland or tasting abroad. If you’re outside of the Emerald Isle, keep an eye out for the whiskey spelling, which denotes that it’s Irish (whisky is Scottish).

Where to try Irish whiskey: In Dublin, take a guided tour of the Jameson Distillery Bow St. or of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery. For options outside of Dublin, visit the Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery (there are day trips from the capital available for a hassle-free visit).

You might associate rich, indulgent Baileys Irish cream cocktails with the winter holidays, but the star liqueurs have an Irish backstory that has nothing to do with the festive season. The story begins with Baileys in 1973, when two London-based consultants, tasked with creating a new Irish export, suggested mixing whiskey and cream. The rest is history.

Baileys is a versatile liqueur, which you can add to a white Russian, espresso martini, or even hot chocolate. Alternatively, if you’re in search of more unique Irish liqueurs to try, look for Coole Swan or Saint Brendan’s—slightly lesser-known but still delicious options.

Where to try an Irish cream liqueur: Get the quintessential Baileys experience at The Temple Bar Pub, aka Dublin’s most famous venue.

Don’t be fooled: Irish coffee isn’t one of the non-alcoholic Irish drinks—for sober sipping, stick to Irish breakfast tea). Instead, this hot drink combines whiskey, coffee, sugar, and whipped cream. Whiskey choice plays a key role in any Irish coffee recipe, and variations include Jameson, Bushmills, and Tullamore. The trick is choosing a smooth (read: triple-distilled) spirit to balance the bitterness of the coffee.

Where to try Irish coffee: Crafting this cocktail is a skill worth taking home. Visit Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Museum for a masterclass in making Irish coffee.

Ireland has been brewing beer for 5,000 years; rest assured, it's found a tasty recipe or two. For Irish craft beer alternatives to Guinness, Indian Pale Ales (IPAs) are a flavorful option, featuring a lighter, fruitier finish. While you can find a variety of IPA options in most pubs, a couple of brands stand out. As one of Ireland’s first craft breweries, O’Hara is a popular brand for tropical, session, and double IPAs. Whiplash Beer is another option, with hoppy IPAs in funkily designed cans.

Where to try an Irish IPA: For a great beer selection in Dublin, head to Mulligan’s of Poolbeg Street. Many Dublin food tours also include opportunities to sample IPAs on craft beer and seafood trails.

Ireland is increasingly catering to refreshing gin and tonics. Gin takes its flavor from botanicals, and the Irish countryside offers a variety of creative ingredients, from seaweed to meadowsweet, plucked from hedgerows. As the winner of the 2019 World’s Best Gin Awards, Dingle Gin is one of the best Irish gin brands to try. These bottles are beautifully connected to the surrounding Kerry landscape, including ingredients such as hawthorn, heather, and bog myrtle. Order with tonic and ice for an Irish twist on a classic cocktail.

Where to try Irish gin: Join a tour of the Dingle Distillery to experience behind-the-scenes gin production.

Many are surprised to hear that Irish cider production dates back to the 16th century. Traditionally made from fermented apples, cider is an excellent product for Ireland’s climate, which, lately, has been seeing larger apple harvests than ever. To try cider in Ireland, some of the best local brands include Bulmers, Orchard Thieves, and Irish Kelly’s Cider.

Order these bottles at bars, or plan an immersive experience with a guided orchard tour—especially idyllic if you’re visiting during harvest season—as many Irish orchards specialize in organic craft ciders.

Where to try Irish cider: Experience a self-guided tour of Highbanks Orchard in Farmley, County Kilkenny.

Touring vineyards isn’t the first activity on most people’s Ireland itineraries, and neither is ordering Irish wine at the bar. But don’t count it out: Across a dozen producers, the Emerald Isle is proving a growing aptitude for grapes. Climate change is increasing Irish yields, and hybrid grape varieties are gaining respect within the industry. For traditional drinks without Guinness, Irish wine is a trending opportunity to challenge the status quo. Pick a vineyard, and book a tasting experience.

Where to try Irish wine: Arrange a guided tour of Lusca Vineyard, just 30 minutes from Dublin by car.

Stout is a heavy-bodied beer that can be polarizing, dividing drinkers into team “love it” or team “hate it.” Most stouts, including the famous Guinness, use roasted malts, which impart an earthy taste. Not all stouts are as heavy as Guinness, though. O’Hara’s brews a deliciously creamy dark stout, for which it uses Fuggle hops to create an underlying bitterness, and medium-bodied Murphy’s has approachable toffee notes. Don’t shirk controversy when choosing an Irish stout.

Where to try Irish stout: Join a tour at the Wicklow Wolf Brewery & Taproom, just 40 minutes by bus from Dublin.