Southport Magazine

Irish treats at Southport’s Sláinte

BY JEN BARNETT AND KRIS BEASLEY

First things first: it is pronounced SAH-LAN-CHA or more officially Sláinte or slàinte (slahn-che), which is literally translated as “health” and is commonly used as a drinking toast in Ireland and Scotland.

With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, it seemed fitting to head to Southport’s own Irish Pub, Slainte and get the lowdown on some Irish favorites. Manager, Patrick Gaynor guided us on a tour through four different drinks: Guinness Irish Dry Stout, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Half and Half Cocktail and the Irish Car Bomb.

GUINNESS IRISH DRY STOUT
There is a 5-step process to pouring a glass of Guinness correctly. 1. Always use a clean glass. (Never use the same glass to refill.) 2. Always use a special “tulip shaped” glass. 3. Only fill the glass 3/4 of the way full on the first pour. All the head (foam) comes from the first pour. 4. Let it rest for 119.5 seconds. 5. The second pour comes next, filling the glass. “Many people think of Guinness as a heavy, high calorie beer, but it actually contains fewer calories than a Budweiser”, says Patrick. (Only 125 calories per glass)

JAMESON IRISH WHISKEY
Lays it’s claim to being the world’s best-selling Irish whiskey! They even a have Jameson Masters Club, similar to the Masters in golf, where you can earn a green blazer once you have reached 100 points. “We want people to drink Jameson, enjoy Jameson. It’s part of the Irish heritage.,” says Patrick with pride. He also suggests that if you aren’t used to drinking Jameson, start with a Jameson and Ginger. This is a simple mixed drink of Jameson Irish Whiskey and ginger ale. Slainte Irish Pub hosts several events throughout the year, where Jameson Master Club members can show off their green blazers!
Slainte also carries other varieties of Irish whiskey and according to Patrick, they are not all the same. The grain bill determines the taste and the cask used. It will be spicy if it was aged in a Sherry cask and more toffee and buttery in a Bourbon cask. Irish whiskey is aged at least 3 years but some are aged much longer, 18 years and on! All of these differences determine the cost, shots range from $6 to $65!

HALF AND HALF
Simple but must be prepared correctly. Fill a glass half full with Harp Lager. Then using a pouring spoon, fill the glass the rest of the way up with Guinness. The spoon prevents the Guinness from mixing and because it is lighter it floats on top of the Harp Lager, creating two layers. This is where the name “Half and Half” comes from. (Warning: Don’t ever make the mistake of calling it a “Black and Tan”, at least not in an Irish pub or in Ireland if you are ever there on vacation!)
IRISH CAR BOMB (SHOT)
Fill a shot glass with 1/2 a shot of Irish whiskey and 1/2 a shot of Irish Cream. Fill a pint glass half full with Guinness. Drop the shot glass into the glass of Guinness. Enjoy it quickly because it will curdle!
You can find all these Irish favorites and more at Slainte Irish Pub. Be sure to check out the menu, which has several recipes using Guinness as an ingredient! And be sure to stop in on St. Paddy’s day for corned beef and cabbage and Shepherd’s pie. ✪