The pubs will be packed and the green beer will flow once again. It’s March 17, that one day of the year when ‘everyone’s Irish’—St. Patrick’s Day! But why contend with crowded elbow-to-elbow pubs when you can host a stellar St. Paddy’s Day party in the comfort of your own home?
Everyone knows that Irish beer and whisky are staples on March 17th. Here’s a few of our recommendations:
Must-Try’ Irish Beers:
Murphy’s Irish Stout, O’Hara’s Irish Wheat, O’Hara’s Celtic Stout, Smithwick’s Irish Ale, Porterhouse Brewing Co. Oyster Stout, Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale, Harp Lager, Murphy’s Irish Red, and naturally Guinness (Draught, Extra Stout, or Foreign Stout)
Irish beer not for you? Add a dab of green food coloring to a lighter colored beer for an instant touch of Gaelic charm.
Top Irish Whisky Picks:
Bushmill’s, Kilbeggan Irish Whisky, Locke’s, Midleton Very Rare, Redbreast, Tullamore Dew, Tyrconnell Single Malt
Now that beer and whisky’s covered, how about something for the cocktail connoisseurs? If your guests are looking for something a little sweeter to sip—mix up a few of these creative St. Patrick’s Day drinks.
Layered Irish Flag Shooter
This is one of the more clever St. Patrick’s Day drink recipes, and boy does it look cool! Layered green crème de menthe, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and amber brandy all layer on top of one another in a clear shooter glass, to resemble a very delicious Irish Flag. Sure to be an instant hit with your guests! Just be sure to layer the alcohol carefully and be gentle when you serve it! Shaking the shooter glass around too much will mix the alcohols and ruin the Irish flag effect.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Brandy
- 1 oz Crème de Menthe
- 1 oz (3.38 cl) Bailey’s Irish Cream
Instructions:
Layer the green crème de menthe, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and amber brandy in a clear shooter glass. (In that order)
Gun Runner
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bombay Sapphire Gin
- ¾ oz Green Chartreuse
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Fresh mint for garnish
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker glass with ice and shake.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice, then garnish with fresh mint leaf. Serve and enjoy!
Emerald Isle Green Sangria
You read it right—green sangria! And unlike a lot of green sangria’s that just throw in some green fruit and call it a day, this one is legitimately green in color.
Ingredients:
- 1 750ml bottle white wine, (recommended Riesling)
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 tbs blue curaçao
- ½ L lime club soda
- 1 green apple, chopped
- 1 lime slice
- Frozen green grapes, for serving
- Mint for garnish
Instructions:
- Combine the wine, orange juice and blue curaçao. Stir, then add chopped apple and sliced lime.
- Add the club soda into the pitcher when ready to serve.
- Place a couple of frozen grapes into each glass. This not only provides a charming garnish, but it keeps the sangria cold without diluting the flavor.
Garnish with a sprig of mint, serve and enjoy!
The Irish Derby
The Derby cocktail is made with a supple portion of tart lime juice alongside sweet vermouth and orange curaçao. This beverage dates back to 1947, traditionally prepared with bourbon as the base. However this version substitutes bourbon for a spicy, semi-sweet Irish whisky.
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz Irish whisky, we recommend Redbreast
- ½ oz sweet vermouth
- ½ oz Cointreau
- ½ oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 4-inch lime twist for garnish
Instructions:
- Add whisky, sweet vermouth, curaçao, lime juice, and bitters to a cocktail shaker.
- Fill with ice and shake until well chilled, approximately 20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with lime twist.
Figs and Sage
Ingredients
½ oz lemon
½ oz fig syrup
¾ oz East India sherry
1½ oz bourbon
1 fresh sage leaf
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing tin, shake vigorously, double strain into a coup.
That’s it for now! Need more suggestions for your St. Paddy’s day celebration? Be sure to peruse the ‘Emerald Aisles’ of your local Spec’s, and ask the friendly staff. Cheers, and have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
