Sip on This: St. Patrick's Day Cocktails

Long gone are the days of using St. Patrick’s Day as an excuse to drink green beer.  You’re an adult now.  Put down the cheap green beer and back away slowly.  Here are 10 St. Patrick’s Day inspired cocktails that you can drink and serve proudly.  I’ve even categorized them by liquor type, just for you.

VODKA

Apple Martini – Made with apple schnapps and vodka, anyone can easily make this at home or order it during your neighborhood bar crawl.  It’s green and has alcohol in it.  What more do you need?

• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce green apple schnapps
• 1/4 ounce lemon juice

P.S. If you’re feeling particularly festive, add some Cointreau for more a little more kick.

Green Apple Jolly Rancher – Not only does it taste like the famous candy, but it’s green and fits in perfectly with the festivities.

• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz apple puckers
• 1 oz peach schnapps
• 4 oz cranberry juice
• Orange wedge for garnish

WHISKEY

Irish Car Bomb – What’s St. Patrick’s Day without an Irish Car Bomb?  Drop your Bailey’s and Jameson’s into a glass of Guinness and drink up.

• 1/2 oz. Irish cream
• 1/2 pint Irish stout
• 1/4 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1/4 oz. coffee liqueur

Irish Martini – This cocktail is unique because you only use Irish whiskey to coat your martini glass, then dump the rest.  Add vodka, dry vermouth, and a lemon twist for garnish, and voila! You have a twist on the traditional martini.

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
• 1/2 ounce Irish whiskey
• Lemon twist for garnish

Irish Gold – Everything Irish doesn’t have to be green!

• 2 parts Irish Whiskey
• 2 parts Ginger ale
• 1/2 part peach schnapps
• Splash of orange juice
• Lime wheel for garnish

Irish Eyes – If you’re in the mood for something different, try this one.  The crème de menthe gives the drink a minty taste.  Refreshing.

• 1 ounce Irish whiskey
• 1/4 ounce green crème de menthe
• 2 ounce cream
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

TEQUILA

Shamrocker – Don’t you want to try this one solely based on the name?  And if your liquor of choice is tequila, it’s the perfect one for you.  Tequila on St. Patrick’s Day…why not?

• 1 part tequila
• 1 part melon liqueur
• 1/2 part triple sec
• Splash of orange juice

CHAMPAGNE

Irish Lady – Serve at your St. Patrick’s Day (After) brunch, perhaps?

• 1 oz melon liqueur
• 3 oz Champagne
• 1 oz orange juice

RUM

Midori Mojito – Add a little Midori to your traditional mojito and you’ll fit right in.

• 1 oz Midori Melon Liqueur
• 1-1/2 oz White Rum
• 8 mint leaves
• 1/2 lime – cut into wedges
• Club soda – to top
• 1 tsp simple syrup
• 1 mint leaf to garnish

Green Daiquiri Punch – You can never go wrong with a rum punch.  Ever.

• 2 (12 ounce) cans frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
• 2 cups Gatorade sports drink, Lemon-Lime flavor, chilled
• 1 cup light rum
• 2 (12 ounce) cans lemon-lime soda, chilled

I hope this cocktail list saves you from yourself this year.  Hey, I do all the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to.  You’re welcome.

Cocktail of the Month: Warm Apple Pie Sangria

The holidays are approaching quickly and if you're hosting, there's no better time to serve batch cocktails to your guests.  If your family is anything like mine, everyone has different tastes when it comes to alcohol.  This cocktail is perfect for younger guests (over the age of 21, of course) who want a cocktail that packs a punch, older guests who want a cocktail that goes down smoothly, and everyone else in between.  And guess what?  It can be served warm or room temperature.  It really is perfect for everyone!

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 apples
• 3 pears
• 750 mL Fireball whiskey
• 1 bottle Pinot Grigio
• 64 oz. apple cider
• 1 liter seltzer water

DIRECTIONS:

1. Chop apples and pears into bite-size chunks.
   
   
2. Place the cut fruit in a bowl and drown in Fireball whiskey. Cover the bowl and let sit for at least an hour.
   
   *Note: I prefer Fireball Whiskey but you can use the cinnamon whiskey of your choice.  Also, the longer the fruit soaks, the more boozy it gets.  For me, the boozier...the better.
   
   
3. In a large pitcher, pour in the wine, apple cider, and seltzer water.  Next, scoop in your soaked apples and stir.
   
   *Note: Don't just pour the soaked fruit concoction in with the wine, cider and seltzer water because it may not give it the taste you want.  Just scoop the apples in and add the whiskey juice as you see fit.
   
   
4. If desired warm, pour sangria in a cup and put it in the microwave for 45-60 seconds. Serve and enjoy! 

This recipe is for 10-15 servings and is guaranteed to be a hit with your guests.  They will be able to stuff themselves with food and still have enough room for this light and refreshing cocktail.  I am making this for my family so you should too.  Let me know how it turns out!