7 Ways to Celebrate St Patrick’s Day

So, I’m not Irish. I mean, I probably have some Irish on Dad’s side if you want to disentangle his plethora of white. But really, I’m not Irish. As those who know me personally are well aware of, I have a very tentative approach to anything that’s within the proximity of cultural appropriation. After many conversations with both Irish Americans and native Irish, the strongest negative reactions to St Patrick’s day I’ve found was amused annoyance.

So, ethical qualms abated, I’ve collected some festive St. Patrick’s Day cocktails for you to enjoy.

Irish Whiskey Cocktails

The Emerald
2 ounces Irish whiskey
1 ounce sweet vermouth
2 dashes orange bitters
Lemon peel (garnish)

1. Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass and fill with ice.
2. Stir well for 30 seconds and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with lemon peel.

Adapted from Arctic Garden Studio

 

Pickleback

A simple way to enjoy Jameson, the Pickleback has become increasingly popular in bars in the last several years.

1.5 oz Jameson
1.5 oz pickle juice

1. Pour each into a separate shot glass.
2. Take the shot of Jameson and immediately follow it with the pickle juice.

 

Guinness 

 

A pint

If you enjoy stouts, there probably isn’t anything better to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day better than a simple pint of Guinness.

1. Pour the Guinness from a 45 degree angle until the glass is half full.
2. Wait 1 minute.
3. Pour the remainder of the pint. You should get a mushroom as the foam rises over the glass.

Black and Tan

If a Guinness is too much for you or if, like manypeople, you can only drink one or two of the heavy stout, the addition of pale ale makes a much lighter and visually striking drink.

1 part Guinness
1 part pale ale

1. Pour  a half pint of pale ale.
2. Using the back of a spoon, pour the Guinness, attempting to keep a solid line between the pale ale and Guinness.

 

Bloody Mary

The first time I tried a Bloody Mary with Guinness in it was at
the Eagle, and I was blown away. Now this is firmly in my cocktail rotation.

4 oz tomato juice
2 oz vodka
Juice of 1 lime
1 tsp horseradish
1 oz Guinness
Pinch of ground pepper
Pinch of paprika
Pinch of celery salt
2 dashes Tabasco
Pickle(garnish)

1. Combine all ingredients aside from Guinness and celery.
2. Shake with ice and strain into a glass with fresh ice
3. Garnish with a pickle.
4. Pour Guinness along side of pickle to avoid excessive foam and keep separate layers.
5. Stir to enjoy.

Color

These green drinks will be sure to bring you the luck of the Irish.

 

Grasshopper

1 oz creme de cocao
1 oz creme de menthe
1 oz Irish cream
Coco powder (garnish)

1. Shake all ingredients besides coco powder with ice.
2. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with coco powder.

 

 

Mint Cucumber Cooler
1 cucumber
2 tbsp water
1 oz lime juice
2 oz vodka
1/2 oz rich simple syrup
1 mint leaf

1. Peel the cucumber and reserve one thin slice for garnish.
2. Deseed the cucumber then roughly chop before placing in a blender or food processor.
3. Add 2 tbsp water then blend until no chunks remain.
4. Strain the blended cucumber into a bowl or cup. You may need to press on the pulp with the back of a spoon to extract all of the juice.
5. Gently muddle the mint leaf with simple syrup in the bottom of a shaker. You’re looking to release flavor, not grind it up.
6. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake to thoroughly mix and chill.
7. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
8. Garnish with a cucumber slice.

 

What to not make:

Irish car bomb. Like seriously. It’s a super offensive reference to a painful portion of Irish history. Just don’t do it. 

 

I hope these cocktails help you have a great St Patrick’s Day bash!