Celebrate St. Patrick's Day: Drink, Toast and Be Irish

It's that time of year again - when everybody's Irish, the rivers run green, and it's time to gather your friends for an Irish toast or two.  A St. Patrick's Day party can be as elaborate or simple as you wish.  A traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner with potato boxty and glazed carrots . . . a big bash with Irish music, dancing, stories and jokes . . . or just a last-minute gathering of friends with a fun, Irish drink to share.

Get your drink ideas ready for March 17 and get the St. Patrick's Day celebration rolling.

Guinness

If you’ve ever been to Dublin, you know a slow-from-the-tap pint of Guinness is one of the most enjoyable experiences of a trip to Ireland. Unless you’re jetting your friends to the Emerald Isle for St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll have to settle for the next best thing – Guinness Draught in Bottles. Thanks to the Rocket Widget, Guinness in bottles mimics that draught taste with every swig. You can pick up a case of Guinness at any liquor store, along with some novelty Irish beers for your guests to try.


Irish Coffee

Irish coffee is so easy to make.  According to the Irish, the drink was invented to warm up travelers at the Shannon Airport who were arriving from America to the cold, damp climate of Ireland. Michael Collins, a 28-year veteran bartender at the Shannon Airport, claims to have invented the drink.  His instructions on how to make the perfect Irish Coffee:

1. Steam-heat a whiskey goblet.
2. Pour in 1 shot of whiskey.
3. Add 3 sugar cubes.
4. Add black coffee to within 1 inch of the brim and stir.
5. Fill to brim with heavy cream that’s been slightly aerated.

Bailey's Irish Cream

A bottle of Bailey's is a must for a St. Patrick's Day Party. Check out their Web site for drink recipes, including this simple blended Bailey's drink:

• Step 1: Drop 2 large ice cubes into your blender (that’s 2 per person).
• Step 2: Add 3½ ounces of Baileys per person.
• Step 3: Blend until completely smooth.
• Step 4: Pour into your tall glasses.

If your blender has one, use the pulse setting for 10 seconds. Don't overblend or you'll end up with slush.


Homemade Irish Cream

Making your own Irish cream is easier than you think. Mix together:
 

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups Irish whiskey
• 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee

Mix well and store in the refrigerator. Prepare at least 3-4 days before serving, giving the container a shake a couple of times a day. Use within 2 weeks.


St. Patricks’ Day Punch

For a refreshing citrus non-alcoholic drink, make some lime green punch.

• 1 can frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
• 1 quart lime sherbet
• 2 liters Sprite
• 4 cups crushed ice

In a large punchbowl, combine limeade and sherbet.  Stir well. Refrigerate until just before serving. To serve, add Sprite and crushed ice, stir and serve.


Irish Toasts

Some of the better Irish toasts (and there are many!)

May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.

-

May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

-

May the luck of the Irish
Lead to happiest heights
And the highway you travel
Be lined with green lights.
Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.

More Irish toasts can be found at Beer101.com.


Irish Party Songs

What would St. Patrick’s Day be without someone belting out a song or two?

StPatricksDayParty.net has free downloads of “Finnegan’s Wake,” “The Unicorn Song,”  “The Leprechaun” and more. They’ve also got song lyrics to traditional Irish drinking songs. Print them out, pass them out and lead an Irish sing-along at your St. Patrick’s Day party.