Shamrocker Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/3/21
Hornitos Shamrocker Cocktail
Janice Lin / Moment / Getty Images
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

When St. Patrick's Day rolls around, everyone starts looking for Irish whiskey cocktails. But why not throw a little tequila into the party? The shamrocker is a great way to do just that and it creates a beautiful green cocktail with a delicious fruity taste that is sure to rock your world.

This fun tequila cocktail recipe was provided by Hornitos Tequila and designed to feature the brand's Plata (aka silver or blanco) tequila. It's best described as a shaken melon-flavored margarita with a kiss of orange and it is a rather tasty drink. Add in the allure of its stunning color and you have a drink that will appeal to anyone, no matter the occasion or season.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a cocktail shaker, pour the tequila, melon liqueur, triple sec, and orange juice. Fill with ice.

  3. Shake well.

  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

  5. Garnish with an orange slice. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • If DeKuyper Melon Schnapps isn't in your liquor cabinet, any melon liqueur will do. Midori is probably the best-known, though there are options from other brands and most have the same green color.
  • For a splash of orange juice, all you really have to do is squeeze the juice from an orange wedge into the shaker.
  • Since it's not served on the rocks, you'll find it best to chill your glass. This keeps the drink cooler longer and simply makes a more enjoyable drinking experience. The quickest method is to add a few ice cubes to the glass while you mix the drink (cold soda water helps, too). Dump the glass contents before straining and you're all set.

Recipe Variations

  • As with most margaritas, this recipe can definitely be tossed into the blender. To make a frozen version, simply pour the ingredients into your blender with 1 cup of ice (about five or six ice cubes). Blend until smooth, then pour into your favorite glass.
  • Make the drink a little sweeter without altering the recipe by rimming the glass with sugar. To do so, wipe the rim with the orange slice to wet it, then roll it in a shallow dish of white granulated sugar.

How Strong Is a Shamrocker?

Though sweet and fruity, the shamrocker does come with a kick. When made with the suggested brands and the average triple sec, the drink's alcohol content is around 22 percent ABV (44 proof). That's typical of shaken margaritas, just keep in mind that it's not a light drink and can add up quickly.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
415 Calories
1g Fat
50g Carbs
2g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 415
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 33mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 50g 18%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 44g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 83mg 414%
Calcium 26mg 2%
Iron 0mg 3%
Potassium 549mg 12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)