If you're looking for a fun and potent cocktail for your next party, you need to give this one a try! A classic Irish Trash Can drink is easy to make at home. It's a unique twist on a jungle juice type of drink, which were first created at college parties where everyone brought a bottle of liquor to pour into a clean trash can or plastic bin. With the energy drink can left upside down in the glass, it resembles a full trash can!
This strong cocktail isn't for the faint of heart. It's not really an Irish drink, it's only named as such because of the bright green color you get from the combination of multiple spirits. It is the perfect drink for St. Patrick's Day but is also great for any occasion and is definitely a must-try drink for all cocktail lovers! For big parties, you can serve it in a punch bowl.

If you're looking for alcohol heavy cocktails with vibrant colors
, check out my Tokyo Tea cocktail or this gorgeous Black Opal drink.
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What does an Irish Trash Can taste like?
This drink has a lot of alcohol in it but you wouldn’t be able to tell how strong it is because it tastes really great. It is sweet without being overly sweet and it is fruity and tropical in flavor.
Ingredient Notes
A traditional Irish Trash can drink is made up of 3 different liquors and 3 types of liqueurs along with an energy drink. It is a strong and fruity cocktail and to make one you will need the following ingredients:
- Gin
- Rum - Clear or white rum is best for this drink as it is the most mild in flavor. Using a dark rum will muddy the color of the finished drink.
- Vodka - You should use plain vodka, not flavored.
- Peach Schnapps
- Blue Curaçao - This is an orange liqueur that is dyed blue. This is a must-have ingredient to get the green color of the drink.
- Triple Sec
- Energy drink -The addition of an energy drink gives this fun cocktail a little caffeine boost. I usually use a full can of Red Bull, but you can your favorite brand of energy drink here.
Along with these ingredients you will also need ice cubes and a tall highball or pilsner glass. A tall and slender glass is required as this type of glass holds the Red Bull can best when it’s tipped over and doesn't allow it to sink to the bottom of the glass.
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredient list with measurements.

How to Make an Irish Trash Can Drink
This cocktail is easy to make and doesn't require any fancy bar equipment. You can also make a big batch of the recipe to enjoy all night long!


- STEP ONE: Fill your serving glass halfway with ice and add the blue curacao.
- STEP TWO: Add the gin, rum, vodka, peach schnapps and triple sec.
- STEP THREE: Open the can of energy drink and flip it over and place it in the glass leaning the can against the inner rim.
Expert Tips
- Use a tall Collins glass to serve this cocktail or else the Red Bull will topple out of the cocktail.
- Leave room in the drink for the addition of the can of energy drink so it doesn’t overflow when you add it.
- Ease the Red Bull in so it drizzles slowly into the cocktail rather than pours out quickly.
- If you prefer a sweeter cocktail you can increase the amount of peach schnapps you add to increase the sweetness.
- Drink this cocktail responsibly. Typically this drink contains about 40% alcohol by volume with a mix of different types of alcohol and has an addition of caffeine.
More colorful cocktail recipes to try:
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Recipe
Irish Trash Can Drink
Ingredients
- Ice Cubes
- ½ ounce Blue Curacao
- ½ ounce Gin
- ½ ounce Light Rum
- ½ ounce Vodka
- ½ ounce Peach Schnapps
- ½ ounce Triple Sec
- 8.4 ounce Red Bull Energy Drink
Instructions
- Fill a tall, thin glass halfway with ice. Add the blue curacao.Ice Cubes, ½ ounce Blue Curacao
- Pour in the gin, light rum, vodka, peach schnapps and triple sec. No need to stir.½ ounce Gin, ½ ounce Light Rum, ½ ounce Vodka, ½ ounce Peach Schnapps, ½ ounce Triple Sec
- Open the can of energy drink and flip it over and place it in the glass leaning the can against the inner rim.8.4 ounce Red Bull Energy Drink
- Serve the drink immediately with a straw.
Notes
- Use a tall slender glass to serve this cocktail or else the Red Bull will topple out of the cocktail.
- Leave room in the drink for the addition of the can of energy drink so it doesn’t overflow when you add it.
- Ease the Red Bull in so it drizzles slowly into the cocktail rather than pours out quickly.
- Drink this cocktail responsibly. Typically this drink contains about 40% alcohol by volume with a mix of different types of alcohol and has an addition of caffeine.
- You can easily increase the number of servings of this drink by simply multiplying the recipe.
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