St. Patrick's Day Inspired Cocktails and Recipes

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March 12th, 2014

by Maren Swanson

St. Patrick's Day falls on Monday, March 17th this year, and before I knew of its actual significance (the death date of patron saint, St. Patrick of Ireland), I recognized it as a day of celebrating my pinch of Irish heritage, beer drinking, corned beef and cabbage and just drinking in general. My friends and I wear green, pinch each other, drink Irish Car Bombs and feel completely regretful the next day. But that's what I love about days like these; it's a reason for friends to get together and be proud, socialize and celebrate life (or those deceased like good ol' St. Patrick himself). So in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, I will honor my one ancestor that married someone on my mom's side of the family centuries ago and toast to a fun-filled day of drinking and cooking Irish stuff.

Here are some Irish-inspired cocktails and green drinks that are sure to please your party-goers. Just drink responsibly and if you plan on getting bombed then get a designated driver or use a car service. This Uber code will give you $20 credit for your first ride for new time sign-ups : 4kkp8

The Green Eyed Girl

Darius at The Phoenix in Los Angeles showed us this one. It's a Jameson cocktail that's refreshing, tasty and it doesn't taste too strong.

Ingredients:

2 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey
3/4 oz simple syrup
Cucumber
Mint
Splash Lime Juice
Ice

The Tipsy Leprechaun

This drink doesn't require a lot of fancy libations, just some sparkling sodas and champagne with a dash of green food coloring.

Ingredients:

1 cup Champagne
3/4 cup sparkling Lemonade
1/2 cup grapefruit soda
1/4 cup sparkling orage soda
1 drop of green food coloring
Ice

The Last Word Cocktail

Since the Irish Whiskey will be served in abundance on St. Patrick's Day, why not switch things up and make a gin based green cocktail? You can enjoy this cocktail straight up or over ice - the choice is yours.

Ingredients (makes one drink)

¾ ounce gin
¾ ounce Green Chartreuse
¾ ounce maraschino liqueur
¾ ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
Slice of lime, for garnish

Grasshopper Martini

This martini has been around forever, and for good reason - it tastes great. The classic Grasshopper Martini has flavors of mint and chocolate and it's also green! Here's a video recipe from Bartending Bootcamp:

Shamrock Shake Pudding Shots

These edible shots are sweet and spiked with Irish-boozed goodness. Combine pistachio pudding, Baileys and Jameson to make a creative dessert twist on your typical jello shot. I think my mom would even shoot this St. Patty's treat…thanks, Michelle.

Ingredients (makes 12-14 large shots)
3/4 cup cold milk
1 small box pistachio instant pudding
1/2 cup Bailey’s
1/4 cup Jameson whiskey
1 (8 ounce) tub extra creamy Cool Whip, thawed in refrigerator
1 package of sugar wafer cookies  -- I used lemon and they were really tasty
Sprinkles and whipped cream (optional)
Green sprinkles for layering (optional)
Green food coloring (optional)

Green Beer

A no-brainer, yes, but an easy way to entertain friends if you are too busy making Irish stew or soda bread. To make green beer on Patty's Day, you only need two ingredients: beer and green food coloring.

Irish Car Bomb

This St. Patrick's Day beer cocktail is an oldie but a goodie. Just be careful when drinking these, the word bomb is in there for a reason and it's probably best to have one of these. Hint: Baileys Irish Cream, Whiskey AND beer AND all at once.

The Shamrock Shaker

Clique Vodka has a green shot that's sweet, tart and fruity and only takes four ingredients. If you are in a "pinch" then this drink is your perfect go-to green shot.

Ingredients:

1 oz Clique Vodka

1/2 oz pineapple juice

1/2 oz sour mix

1 drop green food coloring

In a cocktail tin with ice, add Clique Vodka, pineapple juice, sour mix, and 1 drop of green food coloring. Shake very hard and strain into a shooter glass. Duplicate the recipe as needed to make rounds of shots!

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