15 Guinness Cocktails You Absolutely Need to Try (Dark, Dreamy, and So Delicious)

Updated at: 16-04-2026 - By: John Lau

There is something undeniably magnetic about a glass of Guinness. That deep mahogany color, the slow cascade of bubbles settling beneath a velvety cream head, the way it smells faintly of roasted coffee and dark chocolate before you even take a sip. It is not just a beer. It is an experience. And if you have ever thought Guinness was only for pubs and St. Patrick’s Day, these Guinness cocktails are about to completely change your mind.

Maybe you are interested:

Mixing Guinness into cocktails unlocks a whole new dimension of flavor. Its smooth, roasted bitterness plays beautifully with sweet liqueurs, bright citrus, creamy dairy, and even sparkling wine. Whether you are looking for something elegant enough to serve at a dinner party, something indulgent to sip on a cozy evening in, or something bold and adventurous that will make your friends ask for the recipe immediately, this list has everything you need.

You Are Watching: 15 Guinness Cocktails You Absolutely Need to Try (Dark, Dreamy, and So Delicious) Updated 05/2026

Buy Cocktails Tool Here

Get your pint glasses ready. These are 15 Guinness cocktails worth making again and again.

The Story Behind the Stout (And Why It Makes Such a Perfect Cocktail Base)

Before we dive into the recipes, let us take a moment to appreciate just how remarkable this beer actually is. Guinness is a stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James’s Gate, Dublin, Ireland, in the 18th century. The founding story is the stuff of legend: in 1759, Arthur Guinness signed a legendary 9,000-year lease for an unused and abandoned small brewery at St. James’s Gate, Dublin, at an annual rent of only £45 a year.

That bold, long-term thinking paid off in extraordinary ways. Today, Guinness is one of the most successful worldwide beers, with 10 million glasses drunk every day throughout the globe. The Guinness brand is worth approximately four billion U.S. dollars, making it one of the most valuable and widely recognizable beer brands in the world.

The history gets even more fascinating when you dig into the science behind it. The most influential innovation to come out of the Guinness brewery has nothing to do with beer. It was the birthplace of the t-test, one of the most important statistical techniques in all of science. A brewer named William Sealy Gosset, who published under the pseudonym “Student,” developed the statistical method while working on quality control at Guinness in the early 20th century.

And then there is the famous medical chapter. During the 19th and 20th centuries, physicians prescribed Guinness as a cure-all for everything from anxiety and anemia to boils and insomnia, thanks to its caloric and iron content. The iconic advertising slogan “Guinness is good for you” was not just clever marketing. It was backed by doctor testimonials for decades.

As for cocktail mixing, Guinness is remarkably versatile. Its roasted malt flavors, creamy texture, and modest 4.2% ABV make it a fantastic base or accent ingredient. According to Zack Berger, Brand Advisor for Guinness, the classic and iconic taste of Guinness Draught is not overly sweet, which makes it a dynamic option for mixing. It is one of those beers that will not overpower other ingredients, but rather enhances them.

Now, let us get to the good part.

Black Velvet

The Black Velvet is the most glamorous Guinness cocktail in existence, and it has been turning heads since the 1860s. The drink was supposedly created in 1861 at Brooks’s Club in London as a way to mourn the death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s beloved husband. The bartender felt that even the Champagne should be in mourning, hence the dark, dramatic two-tone pour. The drink truly does look like “Champagne in mourning,” with a flavor best described as a “spritzy Guinness.” The Champagne gives the drink a light, airy mouthfeel while both drinks’ sweet earthiness mingle in almost perfect balance.

What you need:

4 oz Guinness Draught, chilled
4 oz brut Champagne or dry sparkling wine, chilled

How to make it:

Chill a Champagne flute in the freezer for at least 10 minutes. Pour the Guinness very slowly into the flute, tilting the glass at a slight angle and pouring along the inner side of the glass. Allow the Guinness to settle for about 30 seconds. Then, using the back of a bar spoon held just above the surface of the Guinness, very slowly pour the Champagne over the spoon so it floats on top rather than blending in. Serve immediately without stirring. The two layers should remain distinct, creating that signature dark-and-light visual.

Pro tip: Use a bottle of Guinness rather than a can for this recipe. The nitrogen in canned Guinness can cause an overflow when mixed with carbonated sparkling wine.

Guinness Espresso Martini

The Espresso Martini has had a massive comeback in recent years, and the Guinness version takes it to an entirely different level. Espresso stout martinis are among the most popular Guinness-based cocktails, and they are probably getting more popular. The result is a jet-black, foam-topped martini that looks like a tiny glass of Guinness and tastes like the best after-dinner drink you have ever had.

What you need:

1.5 oz vodka
1 oz Guinness Draught
1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or similar)
1 oz fresh espresso, cooled
0.5 oz simple syrup
Ice for shaking

How to make it:

Add the vodka, Guinness, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds. The shaking is key here because it creates the signature foam on top. Strain into a chilled martini glass. The crema from the espresso and the creamy nitrogen bubbles from the Guinness will form a beautiful foam layer on top. Garnish with three whole coffee beans arranged in a triangle.

Guinness Black Russian

The classic Black Russian is a simple two-ingredient cocktail of vodka and coffee liqueur, but adding Guinness gives it a depth and creaminess that makes it feel almost dessert-like. This is the cocktail for those nights when you cannot decide between a beer and a cocktail, so you have both at once.

What you need:

1.5 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa)
3 oz Guinness Draught
Ice

How to make it:

Fill a rocks glass with ice. Pour in the vodka and coffee liqueur and stir gently to combine. Tilt the glass at an angle and slowly pour the Guinness down the side of the glass so it sits on top of the spirit layer rather than fully mixing. You will get a beautiful dark gradient effect. Serve with a wide straw and let your guests stir it themselves if they prefer a fully blended drink. Garnish with a few coffee beans on top.

Guinness Punch

This cocktail is a beloved tradition at Caribbean family gatherings, particularly in Jamaica, where stout punch has been served at celebrations for generations. It is sweet, creamy, warmly spiced, and surprisingly smooth for something that uses a full bottle of Guinness. Guinness punch is a traditional favorite served at holidays and family gatherings in Jamaica, with a sweet, milky, stout flavor that is easy to make in large batches for a party.

What you need:

11.2 oz (one bottle) Guinness Foreign Extra Stout or Guinness Draught
3 oz sweetened condensed milk
1 oz evaporated milk
0.5 tsp vanilla extract
0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
0.25 tsp ground cinnamon
3 to 4 ice cubes

How to make it:

Combine the Guinness, condensed milk, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a blender with the ice cubes. Blend on medium speed for about 20 seconds until smooth and frothy. Pour into a rocks glass over a single large ice cube. Top with a sprinkle of fresh ground nutmeg and a light dusting of cinnamon. This recipe makes one generous serving. For parties, simply multiply the quantities and blend in batches, then keep chilled until ready to serve.

Black Magic

The Black Magic is the cocktail for people who love a little drama in their glass. Bourbon brings oaky warmth, fresh blackberries add a tart fruity contrast, and Guinness ties everything together with its signature roasted depth. Black Magic incorporates bourbon for oaky notes and extra booziness, lime juice for a citrusy touch, and blackberries for a tart finish, making it popular for special events and holidays.

What you need:

1.5 oz bourbon
4 oz Guinness Draught
0.75 oz fresh lime juice
0.5 oz simple syrup
5 to 6 fresh blackberries, plus extra for garnish
Ice

How to make it:

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the blackberries with the simple syrup until they are well broken down and juicy. Add the bourbon, lime juice, and ice. Shake hard for 10 to 12 seconds. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Top slowly with Guinness, pouring it over the back of a spoon so it floats and layers beautifully. Garnish with a skewer of fresh blackberries across the rim of the glass. The deep purple and black color of this drink is absolutely stunning.

Guinness Sour

Beer cocktails rarely get the credit they deserve in the sour category, but Guinness works beautifully in place of egg white to create a naturally frothy, full-bodied sour. The team at The Dead Rabbit uses Guinness in their Twilight Zone cocktail to give a light, frothy texture. It is not a replacement for egg white but a way to showcase how beer can be used in different styles of cocktails. Guinness really helps the cocktail shine and gives it an extra element.

What you need:

2 oz Irish whiskey
1 oz fresh lemon juice
0.75 oz simple syrup
2 oz Guinness Draught
Ice for shaking

How to make it:

Add the Irish whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker without ice first. Dry shake (shake without ice) for 10 seconds to start building froth. Add ice and shake vigorously for another 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Very slowly pour the Guinness over the back of a bar spoon so it floats on top as a dark foam layer. The contrast of the amber whiskey sour beneath the dark Guinness foam is absolutely beautiful. Garnish with a lemon peel expressed over the top for aroma.

Trojan Horse

This cocktail takes its name from Greek mythology. The cola in this drink is hidden in much the same way as the Greek soldiers in the Trojan horse. It is the same color as Guinness, so you might not know it is there until you taste it. The result is a refreshing, lighter drink where the cola brings out the natural chocolate notes in the Guinness while the stout tames the sugary sweetness of the cola.

What you need:

6 oz Guinness Draught, chilled
6 oz cola, chilled
Ice optional

How to make it:

This drink works best served at the temperature of the ingredients themselves, so chilling both the Guinness and the cola in the refrigerator beforehand is key. Pour the Guinness into a large highball glass first, tilting the glass at an angle and pouring slowly along the inner wall. Allow it to settle for 20 to 30 seconds. Then use the tilt method to pour the cola along the inside of the glass as well, keeping it as gentle as possible to preserve carbonation and avoid mixing. Serve immediately. No straw, no stirring. Let the layers do their thing.

Guinness Float

If you have ever had an ice cream float as a kid and wished it came in an adult version, this is the drink you have been waiting for. The combination of cold, creamy vanilla ice cream with the warm roasted bitterness of Guinness is absolutely magical. It sits somewhere between dessert and cocktail, which means it qualifies for both.

What you need:

8 oz Guinness Draught, cold
2 large scoops vanilla bean ice cream
1 oz Irish whiskey (optional, for an extra kick)
Chocolate sauce for drizzling
Whipped cream for topping

How to make it:

Place two generous scoops of vanilla ice cream into a tall pint glass or a wide-mouthed mason jar. If you are using the whiskey, drizzle it over the ice cream now. Very slowly pour the cold Guinness over the ice cream, tilting the glass and pouring gradually to control the foam. The beer will foam up dramatically at first as it reacts with the ice cream, so pour in stages and let it settle between pours. Top with whipped cream, drizzle generously with chocolate sauce, and serve immediately with a long spoon and a wide straw.

Guinness Margarita

This one sounds unexpected and tastes extraordinary. The bold roasted bitterness of Guinness against the citrusy brightness of tequila and lime creates a cocktail that is surprisingly well-balanced. It is complex, a little unexpected, and absolutely the kind of drink that makes people ask, “Wait, what is in this?”

What you need:

1.5 oz silver or blanco tequila
0.75 oz fresh lime juice
0.5 oz triple sec or Cointreau
3 oz Guinness Draught
0.5 oz agave syrup
Coarse salt for the rim
Ice
Lime wedge for garnish

How to make it:

Run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass and dip it in a shallow plate of coarse salt. Fill the glass with ice. In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine the tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and agave syrup. Shake hard for 10 seconds. Strain over the ice in your salted glass. Gently top with Guinness, pouring slowly over the back of a spoon so it floats on top. Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim. The salt, lime, tequila, and Guinness create a flavor combination that sounds like it should not work but absolutely does.

Wilde Oscar

This recipe comes directly from the official Guinness kitchen and is named after Oscar Wilde, the famous Irish playwright known for his wit and love of fine things. It is essentially a Guinness-infused Old Fashioned, and it is the most elegant cocktail on this entire list.

What you need:

1.5 oz (45 ml) bourbon
1 oz (30 ml) Guinness Original
0.5 oz (15 ml) rich simple syrup (2:1 sugar to water ratio)
Dash of botanical bitters or aromatic bitters
Large ice cube
Orange peel and one maraschino cherry for garnish

How to make it:

Stir all ingredients in an ice-filled mixing glass. Strain the cocktail over a large ice cube. The key to this cocktail is patience: stir for a full 30 seconds to properly dilute and chill the drink without over-watering it. Express the orange peel over the glass by holding it over the drink and giving it a firm twist to release the oils, then rub the peel around the rim of the glass. Drop the peel into the glass along with the maraschino cherry. This cocktail is best sipped slowly and savored completely.

Guinness Milkshake with Baileys

On warm days (or honestly any day), this Guinness and Baileys milkshake is the most indulgent thing you can put in a glass. It is thick, creamy, and deeply satisfying, with the coffee-chocolate notes of Guinness amplified by the Irish cream sweetness of Baileys.

What you need:

6 oz Guinness Draught
2 oz Baileys Irish Cream
2 large scoops vanilla ice cream
1 cup whole milk
2 tbsp chocolate syrup
Whipped cream for topping
Crushed Oreos or chocolate shavings for garnish

How to make it:

Add the vanilla ice cream, milk, Baileys, and chocolate syrup to a blender. Blend until completely smooth and thick. Pour the mixture into a large chilled glass, filling it about two-thirds of the way. Top slowly with the Guinness, allowing the beer to mix gently into the milkshake while still leaving some on top as a frothy layer. Crown with whipped cream and finish with crushed Oreos or chocolate shavings. Serve with a thick straw and drink immediately before it separates.

Guinness Half and Half

The Half and Half is a classic Irish-American bar staple, and it might just be the most satisfying layered beer drink ever created. Also known as a Black and Tan in some circles, the combination of golden ale floating beneath dark stout is both visually dramatic and flavor-perfect.

What you need:

8 oz Harp Lager or pale ale, chilled
8 oz Guinness Draught, chilled
Beer layering spoon (or any regular spoon)

How to make it:

Fill a pint glass just over halfway with Harp Lager or pale ale. Place your beer layering spoon on the rim of the glass and slowly pour your Guinness Draught over it, being careful not to mix the two beers. The difference in density between the lighter ale and the nitrogen-charged Guinness is what keeps them naturally separated. Pour the Guinness very slowly and steadily for the cleanest layer effect. The golden and dark layers are stunning in a clear pint glass. No garnish needed. This drink speaks for itself.

Guinness Bloody Mary

Brunch culture meets Irish stout in the most unexpected and delicious way. Swapping regular beer or vodka for Guinness in a Bloody Mary transforms the classic brunch cocktail into something darker, richer, and more complex. The roasted bitterness of the stout plays beautifully against the acidity of tomato juice and the heat of hot sauce.

What you need:

4 oz Guinness Draught
4 oz tomato juice
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
0.5 tsp hot sauce (Tabasco or your favorite)
0.25 tsp celery salt
0.25 tsp black pepper
0.25 tsp smoked paprika
Ice
Garnish: celery stalk, lemon wedge, green olives, pickle spear

How to make it:

In a shaker, combine the tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir gently to combine all the spices. Fill a tall glass with ice and pour the spiced tomato mixture over it. Slowly pour the Guinness on top, tilting the glass and pouring gently so the stout sits on top as a dark frothy layer rather than fully mixing in. Garnish extravagantly with a celery stalk, lemon wedge, green olives skewered on a toothpick, and a pickle spear. The combination is deeply savory, malty, and complex in a way that a standard Bloody Mary simply cannot achieve.

Butter Beer Cocktail with Guinness

Every Harry Potter fan deserves an adult version of Butterbeer, and this Guinness interpretation delivers all the warm, nostalgic creaminess with a sophisticated grown-up edge. Vanilla vodka, butterscotch schnapps, and Guinness create a drink that is sweet without being cloying and indulgent without being heavy.

What you need:

1.5 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz butterscotch schnapps
0.5 oz caramel syrup
4 oz Guinness Draught
Ice
Whipped cream and caramel drizzle for topping

How to make it:

Fill a rocks glass or a wide-mouthed mason jar with ice. Pour in the vanilla vodka, butterscotch schnapps, and caramel syrup. Stir gently to combine. Slowly pour the Guinness over the back of a spoon to float it on top and create a foamy dark layer. Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream and drizzle caramel sauce in a circular pattern over the whipped cream. The butterscotch and vanilla are warm and nostalgic against the roasted bitterness of the Guinness, and the whipped cream on top brings the whole thing together into something that feels genuinely magical.

Guinness Irish Coffee Cocktail

Irish Coffee already occupies an iconic space in cocktail history, but adding a Guinness component elevates it from a classic to something truly extraordinary. The original Irish Coffee was invented in 1943 at Foynes Airport in Ireland by chef Joe Sheridan to warm up cold and weary transatlantic passengers. This Guinness version honors that heritage while making it even richer and more complex.

What you need:

1.5 oz Irish whiskey
3 oz hot brewed coffee
2 oz Guinness Draught (room temperature or slightly warm)
0.75 oz brown sugar simple syrup
2 tbsp heavy cream, lightly whipped to soft peaks
Fresh ground nutmeg for garnish

How to make it:

Warm a heat-safe glass or Irish coffee mug by filling it with hot water for 30 seconds, then emptying it. Add the Irish whiskey and brown sugar simple syrup to the warm glass. Pour in the hot coffee and stir to dissolve the syrup completely. Add the Guinness gently, stirring just once or twice to incorporate it without losing too much carbonation. Using the back of a spoon held just above the surface of the coffee, slowly pour the lightly whipped cream so it floats on top. The cream should sit in a distinct layer rather than sinking into the drink. Grate fresh nutmeg over the cream. Sip through the cream layer without stirring, exactly as tradition dictates.

Tips for Making the Best Guinness Cocktails at Home

Getting the most out of Guinness in cocktails comes down to a few simple techniques worth keeping in mind every time.

Temperature matters enormously. Guinness is best served between 35 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Always use cold Guinness straight from the refrigerator for cocktails. Warm stout will foam uncontrollably and lose its nitrogen texture before you even get it into the glass.

The back-of-the-spoon pour is your most powerful tool. For any layered cocktail, holding a bar spoon just above the surface of your base liquid and pouring Guinness over it very slowly will help the denser stout float rather than sink and blend. Practice this with water first if you are new to layered drinks.

Bottles versus cans. For mixing cocktails, bottles of Guinness generally behave more predictably than cans. The nitrogen widget in Guinness cans creates an especially vigorous head, which can cause overflow when combined with other carbonated ingredients like Champagne or cola.

Let the Guinness settle. After any layered pour, give the drink about 30 seconds before serving. This allows the nitrogen bubbles to settle naturally and creates a cleaner final appearance.

Match your glassware to the cocktail. Martini coupes, Champagne flutes, wide rocks glasses, and tall pint glasses all showcase Guinness cocktails differently. Choosing the right vessel makes a visual difference that your guests will notice immediately.

Guinness has been remarkable for over 265 years, and its versatility as a cocktail ingredient is one of its best-kept secrets. Whether you are reaching for the elegance of a Black Velvet, the indulgence of a Guinness Milkshake with Baileys, or the unexpected magic of a Guinness Margarita, every single one of these drinks has something special to offer. The dark, creamy depth of Guinness transforms everything it touches, and now that you have 15 recipes to work through, there is really no reason to keep drinking it any other way. Cheers to trying something new, one beautiful dark pint at a time.

Sources: https://chesbrewco.com
Category: Cocktails

15 Guinness Cocktails You Absolutely Need to Try (Dark, Dreamy, and So Delicious) Updated 05/2026