I visited Ireland last year and looked everywhere for green cocktails and green beer to raise a glass with in celebration of St. Patrick and the Irish, however all I found were rows and rows of Guinness taps and lots of Irish whiskey. If you are in the mood to celebrate like the Irish consider going classic with a pint of Guinness Stout, or maybe a Heineken, O’Hara or a Harp Lager (also popular at every pub from Dublin to Galway). If however, you do want to enjoy a tasty green beverage to celebrate your inner leprechaun, consider mixing up one of these tasty creations.
One of my favorite new finds is Caorunn Gin, a new, handcrafted, small batch distilled in from Ireland’s neighbor, Scotland, infused with 5 Celtic botanicals; heather, bog myrtle, rowan berry, dandelion and coul blush apple. A spirit filled with crisp and clean herbal notes, delicious simply sipped with tonic water and a few slices or red or green apple. I liked the green apple, especially to keep in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit.
Camarena Shamrock Shaker
1 1/2 oz Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila
1/2 oz Sour Apple Liqueur
1/4 oz Agave Nectar
2 oz Lime Juice
Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with a fan of thinly sliced green apples.
Jameson Mint Martini
8 fresh mint leaves
60ml of Jameson Irish Whiskey
25ml apple juice
10ml sugar syrup (2 parts sugar to one part water)
10ml chilled mineral water
Lightly muddle mint in base of shaker (just to bruise). Add other ingredients. Shake with ice and fine strain into chilled martini glass and garnish with a mint leaf.
Emerald Crush
2 oz Blue Ice Organic Wheat Vodka
1/2 organic kiwi, peeled
1/2 organic lime, cut into quarters
1 teaspoon organic sugar
Muddle fruit and sugar in a mixing glass until well crushed and juicy. Add ice and vodka and shake vigorously. Pour all contents over ice into a tall tumbler and drink with straws.
Celtic Knockout
5 ounces of pineapple-infused vodka (Hawaiian Gold Pineapples and Citrus Smirnoff Vodka)
One drop of green dye
One orange twist
Fill shaker with ice. Add vodka and one drop of green dye. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with one orange twist and enjoy! If you aren’t in the mood to make your own visit Sullivan’s Steakhouse this week to enjoy this tasty concoction for just $6!
