I finally nailed an Irish Trash Can Drink and I’m sharing the clever twist that has guests guessing what I used.

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I first ran into the Irish Trash Can Drink at a college party and it still makes me grin, even now. Part Trash Can Mixed Drink legend, part accidental genius, it’s loud, shiny and impossible to ignore.

I always remember the bite of vodka layered with that fizzy Red Bull kick, they clash and then somehow become best friends. I doodled the Irish Trash Can Drink Recipe in the margins of my notes, because it felt like something you’d only wanna make when you mean business or mischief.

It’s fun, a little reckless, and honestly way more interesting than it has any right to be.

Ingredients

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Neutral spirit, zero carbs or protein, adds alcohol heat, no real flavor, not healthy imo
Juniper flavored, tiny carbs, botanical aroma, gives a herbal bite, sorta
Sweet cane base, few carbs, light molasses notes, makes drink sweeter and smoother
Orange liqueur, high sugar so carbs and calories, colors cocktail, tastes citrusy and sweet
Very sugary, fruity peach flavor, raises sweetness and alcohol, not a nutritional choice
High caffeine and sugar, carbs for quick energy, mixes bad with booze healthwise
Tiny vitamin C, adds sour brightness, cuts sweetness and makes it feel fresher, imo

Ingredient Quantities

1/2 oz (15 ml) vodka

1/2 oz (15 ml) gin

1/2 oz (15 ml) white rum

1/2 oz (15 ml) blue curacao

1/2 oz (15 ml) peach schnapps

1 can (8.4 oz / 250 ml) Red Bull or similar energy drink

Ice, cubed (enough to fill a tall glass)

1 lime wedge for garnish (optional)

How to Make this

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1. Fill a tall glass with cubed ice nearly to the top, dont be shy with the ice.

2. Measure and pour 1/2 oz vodka, 1/2 oz gin, 1/2 oz white rum and 1/2 oz peach schnapps into the glass over the ice.

3. Add 1/2 oz blue curacao on top, it will sink a bit and give that vivid color.

4. Give the booze a very gentle stir once or twice to marry flavors but not kill the color layers.

5. Open the can of Red Bull and pour slowly down the side of the glass, or pour over the back of a spoon to reduce fizz.

6. Use the whole can until the glass is nicely topped, leaving a little headspace so it wont overflow.

7. Give one last gentle stir to combine everything just a touch, dont overdo it or youll lose the pretty look.

8. Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim or squeeze a bit of lime in if you like it brighter.

9. Serve with a straw, tell folks its sweet and caffeinated and to enjoy responsibly.

Equipment Needed

1. Tall glass (Collins or highball) — big enough to hold lots of ice.
2. 1/2 oz jigger or small measuring spoons for accurate pours.
3. Long bar spoon or long teaspoon for gentle stirring and spoon-pour.
4. Ice tongs or scoop to load the glass with cubes.
5. Small knife and cutting board for the lime wedge.
6. Straw for serving.
7. Cocktail napkin or coaster, cuz spills happen.

FAQ

Q: What is an Irish Trash Can Drink? A: It’s a party highball that mixes vodka, gin, white rum, blue curacao and peach schnapps with a can of energy drink, served over ice for a bright blue, boozy, fizzy cocktail. it's more about show and big flavor than subtlety.

Q: How strong is it? A: Pretty potent even though the final ABV looks like a strong beer because of the Red Bull. With these amounts you get roughly 7 to 9 percent ABV by volume, but the cocktail hits harder since several spirits are poured at once, so go slow.

Q: Can I make a non alcoholic version? A: Yes, swap the spirits for flavored syrups or non alcoholic spirit substitutes, use blue curaçao syrup and peach syrup or juice, then top with the energy drink or a lemon-lime soda for fizz.

Q: Is it safe to mix alcohol and energy drinks? A: Use caution, energy drinks can mask how drunk you feel so you might drink more than you realize. don’t drive, avoid if you’re pregnant or on meds that react badly with caffeine, and limit how many you have.

Q: Any tips for serving or garnishing? A: Fill a tall glass with ice, pour the spirits over ice, top gently with the energy drink, stir once if you want, and add a lime wedge. for drama some people invert the can into the glass but that can spill so be careful.

Q: Can I make this for a party or batch it ahead? A: Yes, premix the spirits in a pitcher and keep it chilled, but don't add the energy drink until you're ready to serve so it stays fizzy. multiply each spirit amount by the number of servings and top each glass with one can or the right portion of mixer when serving.

Irish Trash Can Drink Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Vodka – swap with tequila blanco (same 1/2 oz) for a brighter, peppery agave note, or just use an extra 1/2 oz white rum if you want it smoother and a touch sweeter.
Blue Curaçao – use triple sec or Cointreau (1/2 oz) for the same orange profile then add a drop of blue food coloring to keep the classic color, if the look matters.
Peach Schnapps – replace with a peach liqueur (Peachtree or peach brandy) or do 1/4 oz peach puree + 1/4 oz simple syrup for a fresher peach taste.
Red Bull – swap for another citrus energy drink (Monster, Rockstar) if you want the caffeine, or go caffeine-free with lemon-lime soda (Sprite/7Up) or ginger beer for a less intense, different vibe.

Pro Tips

– Chill your glass and spirits beforehand. Cold stuff keeps the drink bright and means the ice wont melt so fast, so you get less watered down flavor as you sip.

– If you want the color to pop but not be tooth-rotting sweet, squeeze a little fresh lime in or drop in a teaspoon of fresh lime juice. It cuts the sweetness and makes the whole thing taste sharper without messing up the vibe.

– Batch smart: mix the spirits together in a pitcher ahead of time and keep that cold, then add the energy drink right before serving. That way you avoid a flat, over-fizzy mess and can serve people fast.

– Be careful with the caffeine plus booze thing. Energy drinks can hide how drunk you feel, so tell folks whats in it, sip slowly, and dont drive or operate heavy stuff after drinking a few.

Irish Trash Can Drink Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I finally nailed an Irish Trash Can Drink and I'm sharing the clever twist that has guests guessing what I used.

Servings

servings

Calories

310

kcal

Equipment: 1. Tall glass (Collins or highball) — big enough to hold lots of ice.
2. 1/2 oz jigger or small measuring spoons for accurate pours.
3. Long bar spoon or long teaspoon for gentle stirring and spoon-pour.
4. Ice tongs or scoop to load the glass with cubes.
5. Small knife and cutting board for the lime wedge.
6. Straw for serving.
7. Cocktail napkin or coaster, cuz spills happen.

Ingredients

1/2 oz (15 ml) vodka
1/2 oz (15 ml) gin
1/2 oz (15 ml) white rum
1/2 oz (15 ml) blue curacao
1/2 oz (15 ml) peach schnapps
1 can (8.4 oz / 250 ml) Red Bull or similar energy drink
Ice, cubed (enough to fill a tall glass)
1 lime wedge for garnish (optional)

Directions

Fill a tall glass with cubed ice nearly to the top, dont be shy with the ice.
Measure and pour 1/2 oz vodka, 1/2 oz gin, 1/2 oz white rum and 1/2 oz peach schnapps into the glass over the ice.
Add 1/2 oz blue curacao on top, it will sink a bit and give that vivid color.
Give the booze a very gentle stir once or twice to marry flavors but not kill the color layers.
Open the can of Red Bull and pour slowly down the side of the glass, or pour over the back of a spoon to reduce fizz.
Use the whole can until the glass is nicely topped, leaving a little headspace so it wont overflow.
Give one last gentle stir to combine everything just a touch, dont overdo it or youll lose the pretty look.
Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim or squeeze a bit of lime in if you like it brighter.
Serve with a straw, tell folks its sweet and caffeinated and to enjoy responsibly.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.