Irish Trash Can
The Irish Trash Can is a vibrant and powerful highball cocktail famous for its theatrical presentation. It combines vodka, rum, gin, peach schnapps, triple sec, and blue curaçao, creating a potent base. The signature move is plunging an open can of Red Bull upside down into the glass, allowing it to slowly mix and create a color-changing effect. It's a sweet, fruity, and highly caffeinated drink designed for high-energy nights out.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Irish Trash Can is firmly categorized as a potent party drink cocktail. It belongs to the same family as the Long Island Iced Tea or Adios Motherfucker, known for containing a high number of spirits. Its unique presentation makes it a spectacle at bars and gatherings.
Serving
Served very cold in a tall glass like a Collins or pint glass to accommodate the inverted energy drink can. It's a large, strong, and highly carbonated cocktail.
Serving size
Approximately 350-450 ml / 12-15 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 15-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Collins or Highball glass
Glass treatment
None
Backstory
The "Irish" in the name is a misnomer, as it contains no Irish whiskey or other Irish ingredients. The name likely refers to its greenish hue after mixing and its potent strength, playing on stereotypes. The drink's origin is tied to the rise of energy drink cocktails in American bars during the late 1990s and 2000s, created as a fun, visually appealing, and strong party starter.
Origin
United States, likely in the early 2000s. Its exact origin is unknown, as it's a modern bar invention rather than a classic cocktail with a documented history.
Irish Trash Can
The drink is most commonly known as the Irish Trash Can. It is often shortened to simply "Trash Can" or sometimes called a "Garbage Can," both names alluding to the practice of mixing many different liquors together in a single glass.
Original name
Irish Trash Can
Alternative names
- Trash Can
- Garbage Can
Characteristics overview
Expect an intensely sweet and fruity flavor dominated by the energy drink, with a slight tartness. The drink is vibrant green and highly carbonated, with a thin, bubbly texture.
Flavor
Sweet, fruity, candy-like, citrusy, energy drink flavor
Aroma
Sweet, fruity, peach, orange, medicinal
Taste balance
Very sweet, slightly sour
Aftertaste
Sweet, lingering energy drink flavor
Fizziness
Bubbly, highly carbonated
Color appearance
Layered blue and yellow/gold, turns greenish as it mixes, translucent
Texture
Thin, bubbly
Seasonality
All-season party drink
Flavor intensity & Experience
A very strong and sweet flavor profile dominates, with high fruitiness and noticeable alcohol strength. The experience is driven by intense sweetness and carbonation from the energy drink.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This cocktail requires a collection of six different spirits and liqueurs, including vodka, gin, and rum, plus a full can of an energy drink like Red Bull.
- Vodka15 ml / 0.5 ozAny standard vodka will work well.
- Light Rum15 ml / 0.5 ozA clean, white rum is preferred.
- Gin15 ml / 0.5 ozA standard London Dry Gin is suitable.
- Peach Schnapps15 ml / 0.5 ozAdds a distinct sweet, fruity flavor.
- Triple Sec15 ml / 0.5 ozProvides a sweet orange citrus note.
- Blue Curaçao15 ml / 0.5 ozGives the drink its signature blue color which turns green when mixed.
- Energy Drink1 full can (250 ml / 8.4 oz)Red Bull is traditional, but any similar energy drink will work.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
No special equipment is needed beyond a jigger for measuring the spirits. This is a simple "build-in-glass" cocktail.
- Jigger for measuring spirits.
Instructions
This is a built drink, meaning you simply pour all the liquors over ice in a tall glass. The final, crucial step is to place an open, inverted can of Red Bull into the glass to serve.
1. Fill a large Collins or highball glass completely with ice.
2. Add the vodka, light rum, gin, peach schnapps, and triple sec to the glass.
3. Pour the blue curaçao over the top of the spirits and ice.
4. Open a full can of energy drink.
5. Quickly but carefully, turn the can upside down and place it into the top of the glass, so the opening is submerged in the liquid. The drink will carbonate and mix as it is consumed.
Garnishing
The signature garnish is the full, inverted can of Red Bull placed inside the glass. No other garnish is typically necessary for its dramatic effect.
- Inverted energy drink can as the centerpiece.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is highly caffeinated due to the energy drink. It is naturally dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan, and can be made gluten-free by using appropriate spirits.
✓ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This is a high-calorie cocktail, primarily due to the significant sugar content from the energy drink and liqueurs. It is very high in sugar and carbohydrates.
Calories
Approximately 300-350 kcal / 1255-1464 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 28-32 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 27-30 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This drink is tailor-made for high-energy social gatherings and celebrations. It's a staple at college parties, nightclubs, and lively bars. It's perfect for occasions where fun and potency are prioritized over nuanced flavor.
- College party
- Night out
- Bachelor or Bachelorette party
- Spring Break
Pairing suggestions
This drink is not typically paired with food in a traditional sense. Its sweet and potent nature makes it best suited for consumption on its own or with simple, salty party snacks like chips, pretzels, or french fries to offset the sweetness.
- Salty snacks like chips or pretzels
- Party food like pizza or chicken wings
The Irish Trash Can: A Potent Party in a Glass
The Irish Trash Can is the ultimate party cocktail, known for its potent blend of six different liquors and its dramatic presentation with an inverted can of Red Bull. Its vibrant blue-to-green color, intense sweetness, and high caffeine content make it a memorable and high-energy choice. While not a drink for connoisseurs, it excels in its role as a fun, powerful, and visually spectacular beverage for a lively night out.