Southport Magazine

The Irish celebration of St. Patrick began centuries ago as a feast in honor of the saint who brought Christianity to the Emerald Isle. It’s no wonder today the holiday is celebrated with copious fanfare; St. Patrick’s Day falls within the confines of Lent and therefore serves as a reprieve from penitent self-denial of vices. Many Irish men would down a couple pints of Guinness in the name of St. Patrick each March 17th, and folks around the world have adopted this tradition as a result of immigration and the mixing of cultures.

In anticipation of this month’s St. Patrick’s Day, we’ve compiled a handful of cocktails—some authentically Irish and some not. Cheers! Or, as the Irish say, “Sláinte!”

COOL CLOVER
Highball
1.25 oz. Pinnacle Whipped Vodka
.75 oz. Midori Melon Liqueur
Pineapple Juice

Fill a tall cocktail glass with ice and combine liquors in the glass. Fill the remainder with pineapple juice, then give it a quick mix with a shaker.

EASY IRISH COFFEE
Coffee Mug
1.25 oz. Jameson Irish Whiskey
.75 oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream
Coffee
Whipped Cream
Crème de Menthe

Add Jameson and Bailey’s to your choice of coffee and top the drink with whipped cream. Garnish the cream with a drizzle of Crème de Menthe.

GRASSHOPPER
Cocktail Glass
.75 oz. Crème de Menthe
.75 oz. White Crème de Cacao
.75 oz. Half and Half

Shake all ingredients with ice, and strain into the glass over ice.

MEXICAN LEPRECHAUN
Cocktail Glass
1 oz. Hornitos Plata Tequila
1 oz. Midori Melon Liqueur
.5 oz. Triple Sec
Splash of Orange Juice

Shake all ingredients with ice, and strain into a cocktail glass over ice. Garnish with an orange slice.

IRISH ALE
Cocktail Glass
2 oz. Bushmill’s Irish Whiskey
Crabbie’s Ginger Beer
3 Lime wedges

Combine whiskey and the juice of the lime wedges in the glass. Add ice and fill with Crabbie’s; stir and serve.