Drink up: Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with cocktails

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Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the revered patron saint of Ireland. All over the U.S., Irish (and not-so-Irish) communities celebrate this day with food, music, parades, and in true Irish tradition, boozy cocktails. We’ve rounded up some unique cocktails to serve this St. Patrick’s Day, as well as advice from some of our favorite Island bartenders on what inspires them to create seasonal cocktails, and what they’ll be sipping on this St. Paddy’s Day.

David Martinello, Henry’s at the Harbor View Hotel:

“My favorite St. Patrick’s Day cocktail is Irish coffee. So simple and classic: coffee, Jameson whiskey, Bailey’s Irish creme, whipped cream, and for an added theme touch, green crème de menthe on top of the whipped cream. It’s a great way to start the holiday or have for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Follow it with a Guinness, and you’ll sure be feeling ‘ye olde charm.’ As for inspiration, when it comes to theme cocktails, I like to think about how people will be feeling that day, and work from that. What kind of libation could a person have right now that will enhance their experience, without leading to the dreaded ‘too much’ scenario? A lot of these holidays are happy occasions, and to have something worth sipping to make it happier is my foundation.”

Jeremy Provost, Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Co.:

“When I think of St. Paddy’s Day, I think of the color green, Jameson, Guinness, and of course, boiled dinner. Thankfully, no one wants a boiled dinner cocktail, so I try to use the things green and Irish when I think of cocktails on March 17th. One cocktail I found recently is called the ‘Irish Eyes:’ Irish whiskey (Jameson), green crème de menthe, and cream make up this tasty cocktail with a nice, creamy, light green color. If you aren’t into milk cocktails, you can never go wrong with a pint of Guinness or a Pickleback shot (Irish whiskey chased by a half-shot of pickle juice). It sounds weird, but it’s delicious. To be a good bartender on 3/17, I always just prepare to pour a lot of Guinness and have something green to wear. And, also know when to say ‘Slàinte!’”

Pot of Glow

Recipe Courtesy of Viniq Shimmery Liqueur

Viniq is America’s first shimmery liqueur, and is a fusion of premium vodka, moscato, and natural fruit flavors.

1 whole lime

1½ oz. E&J Gallo Brandy

3 oz. Viniq Glow

¼ oz. fresh lemon juice

3 oz. sweet and sour mix

1 whole peach

Disco dust sprinkles

Peel half a lime and, using a shamrock cookie cutter, cut out a shamrock shape. Place shamrock inside the glass and begin to fill with crushed ice until the shamrock is held in place. Add brandy, Viniq Shimmery Liqueur, lemon juice, and sour mix.

To garnish: Use a 1-inch round cookie cutter to make circles on a peeled peach; slice peach circles to make 5 to 10 nickel-size coins. Sprinkle peach coins with edible disco dust (sprinkles). Using half of a lime, remove all insides of the lime and use as a bowl for the peach coins. Place 2 to 3 real shamrocks in with peach coins.

Luck of the Irish

Recipe courtesy of Skinnygirl Margarita
Two cultures come together to serve up this margarita — a twist on the classic Mexican cocktail with a spicy Irish kick.

2¼ slices jalapeño chile, seeds removed

3 parts Skinnygirl Margarita

Chili powder or Mexican chili seasoning mixed with coarse salt

Lime peel for garnish

Muddle the jalapeño slices in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Pour Skinnygirl Margarita over the jalapeños. Add ice and shake well. Rim a rocks glass with the chili powder mixture and pour in the margarita. Garnish with a lime peel.

The Blarney Stone

Recipe courtesy of Pinnacle Vodka

The Blarney Stone is a block of carboniferous limestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle, Blarney, about eight kilometers from Cork, Ireland. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of the gab.

1 part Pinnacle Chocolate Whipped Vodka

1 Dark Beer

Add shot of Pinnacle Chocolate Whipped Vodka to your beer for a true creamy taste. Serve immediately.

Icy Ireland (Irish Coffee)

Recipe courtesy of Mr. Coffee

For a more modern approach, all you need to do is tweak the ingredients a little. It will give you an entirely different taste, all while staying true to the cultural origins of the drink.

1 cup brewed coffee, chilled

2 Tbsp. chocolate syrup

1 cup ice

1 oz. Irish whiskey

1 oz. coffee-flavored liqueur

Whipped cream

Brew up a pot of coffee. Drizzle chocolate syrup into a glass and add ice. Pour in the coffee and add whiskey and coffee-flavored liqueur. Mix gently, and top with whipped cream.

Verde Maria

Recipe courtesy of Sauza 901 Tequila

One of the most innovative cocktails, this take on the classic Bloody Mary is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day because of the natural bright-green color.

2 green tomatoes

Half an avocado

1 celery stick

¼ cucumber, diced

Cilantro to taste

2 parts Sauza 901 Tequila

½ part lemon juice

4 dashes of hot sauce

Pinch of salt and pepper

Blend green tomatoes, avocado, celery, cucumber, and cilantro until smooth. Combine all ingredients over ice in tall glass and stir. Garnish with cilantro leaves.