Ireland’s drinks culture runs well beyond Guinness and whiskey, though those two remain its most famous exports.
Irish Whiskey
Jameson (now distilled at Midleton, County Cork, though originally a Dublin brand) and Bushmills (licensed since 1608, and - per this site’s own fact-checked distillery guide - among the claimants to the title of the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery) remain the two best-known names, alongside a growing craft whiskey sector experimenting with different grains and cask finishes.
Irish Coffee
Coffee, sugar, Irish whiskey, and a float of lightly whipped cream - genuinely invented in 1943 by
Chef Joe Sheridan at Foynes, County Limerick (see this site’s own traditional-irish-food-favorites
page for the full, verified history). Modern variations swap in Baileys or espresso.
Stouts and Ales
Guinness, brewed at St James’s Gate in Dublin since 1759, remains Ireland’s best-known beer export. Murphy’s Irish Stout, Smithwick’s Red Ale, and O’Hara’s Irish Red are commonly cited alternatives.
Cider
Ireland has a genuinely old orchard and cider tradition; Bulmers and Orchard Thieves are the two most widely available commercial brands today.
Irish Cream Liqueurs
Baileys Irish Cream is the best-known example of a wider category of whiskey-and-cream liqueurs, commonly used in desserts (cheesecake, truffles, brownies) as well as drinks.
Poitín
Ireland’s traditional distilled spirit (from potatoes or grain) was banned in 1661 under King Charles II in an attempt to tax it out of existence, continued to be distilled illegally for over three centuries, and was finally legalised again in 1997.
Irish Gin
A newer but genuine growth category - Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and Glendalough Wild Botanical Gin are commonly cited examples of Ireland’s contemporary craft gin distilling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are traditional Irish drinks? Stout, whiskey, cider, and poitín are the most commonly cited traditional categories.
What’s Ireland’s best-known drink? Guinness, both domestically and internationally.
