WHY YOU’LL LOVE TRASH CAN DRINK

• Classic party cocktail with built-in drama
  
• Fast to assemble, fun to serve
  
• Strong but balanced enough to drink
  
• Color change is half the appeal
  
• Made for celebrations and big nights

Irish Trash Can

This is one of those drinks that announces itself the moment it hits the table. People notice. Heads turn. Someone always asks what it is.

Chad makes this when the night calls for something fun and slightly ridiculous… in a good way.

Unlike vodka and red, you don’t sip this quietly in the corner. You laugh, you watch the color change, and you understand pretty quickly why it’s a party classic.

The Irish Trash Can is not delicate. It’s not restrained. It’s a moment in a glass. And when the vibe calls for it, this one delivers exactly what it promises.

And although this trash can drink isn’t an actual Irish cocktail, the gorgeous green color makes it perfect for a St. Patrick’s Day party!

Try this classic southern Easy Kentucky Mule with smooth bourbon and ginger beer next.

If you’re putting together a fun drink spread, our B52 Shot and Dirty Shirley Cocktail Jello Shots are always crowd pleasers!

INGREDIENT NOTES

• Blue Curaçao: Adds color and a mild citrus sweetness that sets the tone.
  
• Gin, Rum, Vodka: The neutral backbone. Clean spirits that don’t fight each other.
  
• Peach Schnapps & Triple Sec: Bring sweetness and fruity flavor without overpowering the rest of the cocktail.
  
• Red Bull: The classic choice. The slow release is what makes the drink.
  
• Ice: Needed for dilution and balance. Don’t skimp.

CHAD’S RULE OF THUMB

If the spirit tastes clean on its own, it works here. If it’s harsh when served neat, it’ll show up fast once the ice melts. This Irish trashcan cocktail may look wild, but it still rewards good choices.

SOLID, NO-ARGUMENT PICKS

These spirits keep the trash can drink clean and drinkable:

• A standard London dry gin
  
• Light rum with no heavy vanilla notes
  
• Neutral vodka without added flavors
  
• Classic triple sec and peach schnapps… nothing syrupy

STEP-UP OPTIONS (CONNOISSEUR APPROVED)

If you want a cleaner finish:

• Higher-quality neutral vodka
  
• A brighter, citrus-forward triple sec
  
• A peach liqueur with less sugar and more fruit character

VARIATIONS

Lighter Pour: Use slightly less of each spirit for a softer version.

Different Energy Drink: Any 8-12 ounce can will work, but the flavor will change.

Extra Citrus: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime before dropping the can.

Party Version: Make multiple glasses at once, then drop the cans together.

Slow Sip: Let the can release gradually instead of all at once.

WHEN TO SERVE IT

• Big celebrations
  
• Group gatherings
  
• Late-night parties
  
• Game days (for the food and drinks, not the sportsball)
  
• When subtlety is not on the agenda

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

• Drink up immediately… the Irish trashcan waits for no one!
  
• Best for parties, celebrations, and late nights.
  
• Pair with salty snacks or hearty party food.
  
• Not a starter drink. Know your crowd.

IRISH TRASHCAN FAQ

The Irish Trash Can works because of balance and pacing, even though it looks chaotic.

All the spirits are relatively neutral, which keeps any single flavor from taking over.

The blue curaçao adds sweetness and acidity up front, while the energy drink releases gradually, changing the dilution and sweetness as you drink.

That slow integration is what keeps the cocktail from tasting harsh right away.

TOOLS NEEDED

• Tall Pint-Style Glass: Wide enough to safely fit the can.
  
• Jigger: Precision matters when stacking this many spirits.
  
• Ice Scoop: You’ll need a solid fill.
  
• Steady Hand: Dropping the can is part of the experience.

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Other Great Vodka Cocktails

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Irish Trash Can (Cocktail Recipe)

The Irish Trash Can is a party in a glass, made with 6 types of liquor and a Red Bull energy drink. Bold, a little fruity, and loads of fun!

Course Drink

Cuisine American

Method Mixed

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cocktail

Calories 193cal

Author Donna Elick

Ingredients

• 1/2 ounce blue curaçao
• Ice
• 1/2 ounce gin
• 1/2 ounce light rum
• 1/2 ounce vodka
• 1/2 ounce peach schnapps
• 1/2 ounce triple sec
• 1 8.4 ounce can Red Bull or other energy drink

Instructions

• ADD BASE: Pour 1/2 ounce blue curaçao into the bottom of a tall glass that is slightly wider than the Red Bull can.
• ADD ICE: Fill the glass halfway with Ice.
• ADD SPIRITS: Pour in 1/2 ounce gin, 1/2 ounce light rum, 1/2 ounce vodka, 1/2 ounce peach schnapps, and 1/2 ounce triple sec.
• DROP CAN: Open 1 8.4 ounce can Red Bull or other energy drink and carefully drop the entire can upside down into the glass. The drink will mix as the energy drink releases.
• SERVE: Serve immediately.

Notes

Glassware: A tall pint-style glass works best. Make sure it’s wide enough for the can to fit safely.

Energy Drink Swap: Any 8 to 12-ounce energy drink can be used, but Red Bull is the classic choice.

Party Tip: This cocktail is strong. Serve responsibly and consider sharing for game days or celebrations.

Color Note: The drink will shift from blue to green as it mixes, which is part of the fun.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 193cal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 3mg | Sugar: 11g | Fiber: 0.3g | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Originally published October 2012, updated and republished January 2026

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.

The post Irish Trash Can (Cocktail Recipe) appeared first on The Slow Roasted Italian.

Spring Martini Cocktail

While I was out in the garden yesterday watching Chad and Munchkin fly kites, it occurred to me…  It is certainly Spring. If I don’t embrace it, I am going to miss it! Spring is one of my favorite times of year.  

Being from Florida, Spring is not just a season it is a fabulous celebration.  People come from all around and flock to the beaches in Florida.  Vacationers party their hearts out in celebration of a break from everything responsible. There is no school, no work, no phones (well this one is optional).  It’s almost a holiday.  Except they are off work and you are not.  : (

You can’t help think of spring without thinking of fun, bikinis and the water of the gulf of Mexico, a beautiful Caribbean blue.  When Chad created this cocktail, it was as if he stepped out of my mind with the perfect adult beverage to commence our Spring celebration.

A perfectly sweet spring cocktail with orange, pineapple and a delightful hint of coconut to make your vacation (or staycation) perfect! Looking for different flavors, try this bikini martini, it is so good!

Kick off your heels and pour yourself one tonight!

Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook – we have a virtual Ladies Night party every Thursday. Come and link up your favorite cocktail or dish!  Fabulous cocktails, fantastic food and amazing company.  It is THE place to be on Thursdays!

A fabulous line up perfect for your adult Spring Break celebration.  Click on the links or the photos to open in a new window.  Recipes are at the bottom of the pages.

Spring Fling Screwdriver Cocktail is as fun to say as it is to drink.  A fab twist on a classic makes this a drink to remember!

A classic sweet Spring Break cocktail that everyone has heard of, but not everyone has had: Sex on the Beach. A must this season!

Not your Grandma’s lemonade. This Lucky Lemon Seven lemonade cocktail is a combination of the juices of muddled lemons, 7Up and Grey Goose Vodka!

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Blue Polka Dot Bikini Martini Cocktail

While I was out in the garden yesterday watching Chad and Munchkin fly kites it occurred to me… It is certainly Spring. If I don’t embrace it, I am going to miss it! Spring is one of my favorite times of year.

Course Drink

Cuisine American

Method Mixed

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Calories 214cal

Author Donna Elick

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Malibu Rum
• 2 ounces Welch’s Orange Pineapple Juice
• 1/2 ounce Blue Curacao
• ice
• 2 maraschino cherries

Instructions

• In a cocktail shaker, combine juice and rum. Shake until chilled. Strain ice.
• Pour Blue Curacao into a martini glass. Using a spoon, gently pour chilled mixture over top of the Blue Curacao. Gently layer the rum and juice over top of the Blue Curacao. Garnish with maraschino cherries. Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 214cal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Sugar: 12g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.

The post Blue Polka Dot Bikini Martini Cocktail appeared first on The Slow Roasted Italian.

Happy Thursday, Slow Roasters!  It’s Ladies Night!  Grab a cocktail and pop over to Facebook to join our virtual Ladies Night party.

Today we present you with this gorgeous Blue Arrow Cocktail.  This drink looks like the ocean and tastes like the sunshine state.  We are celebrating with two new spirits.  Blue Curaçao is flavored with the peel of a citrus fruit that grows on the island of Curaçao.  It tastes similar to orange, with a hint of bitterness.

We used New Amsterdam Gin in this cocktail, it boasts a smooth flavor with beautiful citrus notes and a hint of juniper.  Oddly, there was a New Amsterdam rep at our local grocery store giving samples a few months ago. I had not ever tried gin, so I sampled it and was pleasantly surprised how nicely it went down.  Well, one sample and we were sold!  We bought a bottle right away. Aside from the Long Island Iced Tea we haven’t had a chance to really take her for a test run.

The triple sec, blue curacao and gin really work together to make this a striking cocktail perfect for every orange lover! 

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on

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Blue Arrow Cocktail

The triple sec, blue curacao and gin really work together to make this a striking cocktail perfect for every orange lover! Enjoy!

Course Drink

Cuisine American

Method Mixed

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Calories 374cal

Author Donna Elick

Ingredients

• 2 ounces New Amsterdam Gin
• 1 ounce Triple Sec
• 1 ounce Blue Curacao
• 1 ounce lime juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• ice
• maraschino cherry

Instructions

• Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Pour ingredient into the shaker. Shake, strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 374cal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 20mg | Sugar: 35g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.

The post Blue Arrow Cocktail appeared first on The Slow Roasted Italian.