I reworked the Irish Trash Can into a showstopper for Ocean Themed Alcoholic Drinks, complete with a cobalt to emerald pour and a mysterious soda can hiding inside.

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The Irish Trash Can, to me, is pure party mischief in a glass. I still remember the blue glow when blue curaçao met a can of Red Bull and everything at the table got a little louder, like someone flipped the lights back on.

I’m drawn to drinks that look like they shouldn’t work but somehow do, and this one always makes me grin before the first sip. It’s loud, flashy, and yes messy in the best way, all the things I chase when I want to shake up a night.

No wonder it’s become a staple in my Drunken Mermaid Drink files.

Ingredients

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Vodka: Almost pure alcohol, no protein or fiber, adds neutral boozy backbone, can dehydrate.
Peach schnapps: Sweet and syrupy, lots of sugar and carbohydrates, gives fruity sweetness, not healthy.
Blue curaçao: Orange flavored liqueur, sugary, colors drink bright blue, adds sweet citrus notes.
Sweet and sour mix: Tangy mixer, mostly sugar and citric acid, makes cocktail bright and tart.
Red Bull: High caffeine and sugar, boosts energy, masks intoxication, not good for everyone.
Lime wedge: Adds fresh citrus aroma, tiny vitamin C, cuts sweetness, makes drink seem fresher.

Ingredient Quantities

1/2 oz vodka

1/2 oz gin

1/2 oz white rum

1/2 oz silver tequila

1/2 oz peach schnapps

1/2 oz blue curaçao

2 oz sweet and sour mix

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

Ice (several large cubes)

Lime wedge for garnish (optional)

How to Make this

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1. Fill a tall glass with several large ice cubes so the drink stays cold but wont dilute fast.

2. In a shaker add 1/2 oz vodka, 1/2 oz gin, 1/2 oz white rum, 1/2 oz silver tequila, 1/2 oz peach schnapps, 1/2 oz blue curaçao and 2 oz sweet and sour mix.

3. Add a handful of ice to the shaker, cap it and give it a quick hard shake for about 5 seconds just to chill and marry the flavors. dont overdo it or youll water it down.

4. Strain the mixed spirits over the ice in your prepared glass. if you want more drama you can build directly in the glass, but shaking first makes it colder faster.

5. Slowly open the
8.4 oz (250 ml) can of Red Bull and gently pour it in down the side of the glass so it layers a bit and keeps bubbles. you can also invert the can into the glass for a classic look but be careful its messy.

6. Give the drink one gentle stir with a straw or bar spoon to marry everything but not flatten the energy drink. you want a little fizz left.

7. Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim if you like, or toss a wedge inside for extra tang.

8. Tip: use chilled spirits and a cold can, big ice cubes, and pour slowly to keep carbonation. its a potent cocktail so sip slowly and dont drive after drinking.

Equipment Needed

1. Tall glass (12–16 oz highball or Collins), big enough for large ice cubes and the can
2. Cocktail shaker (Boston or cobbler style), with lid, to chill and marry the spirits — youll shake just a few seconds
3. Jigger or measuring spoons, for accurate 1/2 oz pours, dont guess
4. Hawthorne strainer or the cobbler’s built-in strainer, to keep ice out when you pour
5. Bar spoon or long straw, for one gentle stir so you dont flatten the fizz
6. Large ice cube tray or mold, for slow-melting big cubes
7. Ice tongs or scoop, so you dont touch the ice with your hands
8. Small paring knife and cutting board, for slicing a lime wedge for garnish

FAQ

1/2 oz vodka

1/2 oz gin

1/2 oz white rum

1/2 oz silver tequila

1/2 oz peach schnapps

1/2 oz blue curaçao

2 oz sweet and sour mix

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

Ice (several large cubes)

Lime wedge for garnish (optional)

Q: Why is it called an Irish Trashcan? A: The exact origin is fuzzy, but the name likely comes from throwing a bunch of different liquors together so it looks like a messy mix. The bright green/blue look from blue curaçao plus the Red Bull gives it a wild party vibe.

Q: How strong is this drink? A: Rough estimate is around 8 to 10 percent ABV, similar to a strong beer or light wine, but it can feel stronger because multiple spirits are in it and the energy drink can mask drunk feelings. Pace yourself.

Q: Can I premix it for a party? A: You can premix the spirits and sweet and sour up to a day ahead, but dont add the energy drink until just before serving or it will go flat fast.

Q: Is it safe to mix alcohol with energy drinks? A: Be careful. Energy drinks can hide how intoxicated you feel, so you might drink more than you think. Drink slowly, know your limit, and avoid driving after drinking.

Q: What can I substitute if I dont have one of the spirits? A: You can skip one or two, but the idea is a mix of many clear spirits. If you need a quick swap try a flavored vodka or an additional 1/2 oz of rum. Keep the total alcohol volume similar.

Q: How do I make a non alcoholic version? A: Use non alcoholic spirit substitutes or replace each 1/2 oz liquor with 1/2 oz flavored syrups or fruit juices, use a non caffeinated soda or energy drink, and keep the sweet and sour for tang.

The Irish Trashcan Cocktail Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Vodka -> swap for extra white rum or more gin. Vodka mainly thins the mix so a light rum keeps it sweet, gin gives a herbal bite.
Peach schnapps -> use a peach liqueur or 1 oz peach puree plus 1/4 oz simple syrup for fresher peach flavor.
Blue curaçao -> replace with triple sec or orange curaçao (same orange taste, just not blue), or triple sec plus a drop of blue food coloring if you want the color.
Red Bull -> any citrus energy drink (Monster, Rockstar) will work, or for no caffeine use lemon‑lime soda or sparkling lemonade for the fizz and sweetness.

Pro Tips

1. chill everything first and use big ice cubes so it stays cold without getting watered down, if you only have small cubes use less ice or freeze some water in a cup to make bigger ones, youll notice the difference right away.
2. shake just a few seconds, only long enough to marry the flavors and get the shaker cold, dont overdo it or youll dilute the mix, a metal shaker helps cause you can feel when its properly chilled.
3. pour the energy drink slowly down the side of the glass to keep bubbles and get a little layering, or invert the can for a show but be careful its messy and foamy so do it over the sink the first few times.
4. this drink is strong and has caffeine so measure carefully and sip slow, dont drive after drinking and if you want less kick use half a can or a caffeine free mixer.

The Irish Trashcan Cocktail Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I reworked the Irish Trash Can into a showstopper for Ocean Themed Alcoholic Drinks, complete with a cobalt to emerald pour and a mysterious soda can hiding inside.

Servings

servings

Calories

428

kcal

Equipment: 1. Tall glass (12–16 oz highball or Collins), big enough for large ice cubes and the can
2. Cocktail shaker (Boston or cobbler style), with lid, to chill and marry the spirits — youll shake just a few seconds
3. Jigger or measuring spoons, for accurate 1/2 oz pours, dont guess
4. Hawthorne strainer or the cobbler’s built-in strainer, to keep ice out when you pour
5. Bar spoon or long straw, for one gentle stir so you dont flatten the fizz
6. Large ice cube tray or mold, for slow-melting big cubes
7. Ice tongs or scoop, so you dont touch the ice with your hands
8. Small paring knife and cutting board, for slicing a lime wedge for garnish

Ingredients

1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz white rum
1/2 oz silver tequila
1/2 oz peach schnapps
1/2 oz blue curaçao
2 oz sweet and sour mix
1 can (8.4 oz / 250 ml) Red Bull or similar energy drink
Ice (several large cubes)
Lime wedge for garnish (optional)

Directions

Fill a tall glass with several large ice cubes so the drink stays cold but wont dilute fast.
In a shaker add 1/2 oz vodka, 1/2 oz gin, 1/2 oz white rum, 1/2 oz silver tequila, 1/2 oz peach schnapps, 1/2 oz blue curaçao and 2 oz sweet and sour mix.
Add a handful of ice to the shaker, cap it and give it a quick hard shake for about 5 seconds just to chill and marry the flavors. dont overdo it or youll water it down.
Strain the mixed spirits over the ice in your prepared glass. if you want more drama you can build directly in the glass, but shaking first makes it colder faster.
Slowly open the
4 oz (250 ml) can of Red Bull and gently pour it in down the side of the glass so it layers a bit and keeps bubbles. you can also invert the can into the glass for a classic look but be careful its messy.
Give the drink one gentle stir with a straw or bar spoon to marry everything but not flatten the energy drink. you want a little fizz left.
Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim if you like, or toss a wedge inside for extra tang.
Tip: use chilled spirits and a cold can, big ice cubes, and pour slowly to keep carbonation. its a potent cocktail so sip slowly and dont drive after drinking.

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.