How To: Have A “Spirited” St. Patrick’s Day

Dear “How Can I Be Irish for a Day,”

As the biggest proponent of the “Irish for a Day” mantra, I am definitely the right person to talk to. I had never really embraced the fantastic tradition that is St. Patrick’s Day before coming to college, as I felt like it didn’t make sense for an Italian and Portuguese girl to celebrate a holiday I saw as reserved for a different nationality—that is, until I met my wonderfully Irish best friend. She taught me that if I could have a margarita on Cinco de Mayo, it was perfectly acceptable to kick back with a Guinness on St. Patrick’s Day. The only problem with this rationale is I am not the biggest fan of Guinness. That being said, I figured this column would be a perfect way to take some time to explore some Irish options I am a fan of—options that consist of more than just adding some bright green food coloring to champagne or beer (though if you do decide to go this route, check out Ryan’s suggestions for a good St. Patrick’s Day beer in this week’s Marshall’s Mugs). And in my journey, I was lucky enough to discover a multitude of Irish-approved concoctions at the end of my metaphoric rainbow. I plan on sipping on and sharing with friends at least one of the following five this Sunday as I don my leprechaun hat, bright green shirt and “Irish for a day” button and encourage you to do the same. Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Please remember to enjoy this week’s column responsibly!

Sincerely,
Samantha

P.S. Feel free to send questions, comments, suggestions and any and all St. Patrick’s Day party invitations to stoscano@udel.edu.




Kiss Me,
I’m Irish

For a refreshing beverage on the lucky, low-cal side of things (only 206 calories in one drink!), shake the following ingredients over ice before straining into a chilled cocktail glass:
2 ½ oz. sparkling wine 
1 oz. melon liquor 
1 oz. vodka
1 ½ oz. lemonade


Irish Coffee

If not on par with Guinness, this longtime Irish favorite is certainly second in popularity for its beautiful coffee turned cocktail flavor. If you want to start or end your St. Patrick’s Day right, pour the following ingredients into a glass mug, before stirring well and floating the cream on top:
1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
1 tbs. brown sugar
1 ½ oz. Irish whiskey
1 oz. heavy cream, slightly whipped


Emerald Isle

This minty green gin-infused classic requires just a couple ingredients that have to be shaken together over ice before straining into a chilled cocktail glass:
1 oz. gin
1 tsp. green crème de menthe
2 dashes bitters


St. Paddy Appletini
 
So the staple cocktail might not seem the most Irish of the bunch, but when you shake the following ingredients over ice before straining into a chilled cocktail glass, you will see how quickly the festive coloring makes it a holiday-appropriate option:
1 ½ oz. green apple vodka
1 oz. sour apple schnapps
1 splash of apple juice or cider


Irish Flag Shooter

 If you want to drink your Irish pride, this is the way to do it. Pour the following ingredients very carefully in the order given so the ingredient floats on the preceding one in a delicious resemblance of what else but the flag of Ireland:
¾ oz. green crème de menthe
¾ oz. Irish cream
¾ oz. orange liqueur