St. Patrick’s Day conjures images of drunken foolery, not-always-fashionable green attire, and the ever-present bastardization of Irish beverages: green beer and the Irish Shot.  Clearly, this is a “faux holiday,” created as a reason to drink and party.  

Actually, St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious holiday, celebrating the patron saint of Ireland on the anniversary of the date of his death in the fifth century, March 17.  As the Irish emigrated to America, they began to use the day to celebrate all things Irish, and over the years Americans have embraced the festivities.  

This year, we’re celebrating the Irish with a salute to that tasty export, Irish Whiskey.  Here are 5 Irish Whiskey drinks that you won’t be embarrassed to order at a bar even in Ireland.  Whether you sip a cool, smooth cocktail or a warm adult beverage, these concoctions from Irish spirits are delicious!

The first drinks come from Bartender Extraordinaire, Mimi Burnham, who was kind (and fun) enough to share her original specs for these drinks with us to share with our BoozySitters Club fans.  

"Tipperary: Burnham Blend"

1.5 oz Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey

1 oz Cinzano Sweet Vermouth

.50 oz Yellow Chartreuse

2 dashes Regans No.6 Orange Bitters 

Build ingredients in a stirring glass, add double the amount of ice to liquid and stir 30 rotations.

Strain into a chilled coupe

Garnish: orange twist expressed and discarded 

"Hellcat Maggie"

1.25 oz Bushmills Red Bush Whiskey

.75 oz Suze (gentian) Liqueur

.50 oz Giffards Pineapple Liqueur

.50 oz Goslings Rum

.50 oz Honey syrup (1:1)

Barspoon (1/8 oz) St Elizabeth Allspice Dram (or homemade)

4 drops Regans No.6 Orange Bitters

2 dashes Bitter End Memphis BBQ Bitters

2 drops saline solution (4:1 Kosher salt to water)

Build all ingredients in a shaker tin.

Add 1 cup of ice. Hard shake for 20 seconds. 

Strain into a chilled coupe glass, or serve on the rocks.

Garnish: Flamed orange coin twist

We also asked friend of the pod Pete, who is an American expat in Ireland, for suggestions on what the Irish themselves drink.  He’s a fan of hot drinks with Irish Whiskey, and for his first suggestion, he pointed us to the Irish Whiskey Museum for the best, authentic recipe for Irish Coffee.   And, if your Saint Patrick’s Day 2021 is shaping up to be cold and wet, Pete suggests a Hot Irish Whiskey or a Scailtin (Irish Milk Punch), two drinks rumored to also have healing powers.  

All the details are in the above links; basics below if you’re in a hurry to get your Irish on!

Irish Coffee

Irish whiskey

Coffee

Brown sugar

Whipped cream

1. Heat your glass with some boiling water. Make sure you have a metal spoon in the glass when adding the boiling water to prevent the glass from cracking. Heating the glass keeps your Irish Coffee warm for longer so you can savor the moment…mmm

2. Pour in a measure of Irish whiskey

3. Add some coffee

4. Add in a spoonful of sugar. Make sure the sugar is mixed into the coffee well. Check the bottom of the glass to make sure there on no granules left at the bottom

5. …and now add the cream

6. Whisk some cream in a bowl. Don’t whisk the cream too stiffly or you won’t be able to pour it.

7. Turn a spoon upside down and place the tip of the spoon inside the coffee glass just on top of the coffee making sure that the edge of the spoon is touching the glass

8. Now slowly pour the whipped cream over the spoon. It should flow over the top of the spoon and land softly on top of the coffee. When you pour the cream gently it ensures that it doesn’t sink into the coffee

9. Sprinkle some chocolate on top of the cream

Hot Irish Whiskey

8 whole cloves

1 (1/4 inch thick) slice of lemon

1 tablespoon white sugar 

¾ cup boiling water

1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger Irish whiskey

1. Press cloves into the peel of the lemon slice all the way around. Set aside. 

2. Measure the sugar into a wine glass. 

3. Place a metal spoon into the glass with the curved side facing upwards. Pour the boiling water over the back of the spoon. This will keep your wine glass from shattering. 

4. Stir to dissolve the sugar. 

5. Pour in the whiskey and add the lemon slice. 

6. Let steep for about 1 minute before drinking.

Scailtin

2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup Irish Whiskey (I used Jameson)

2 tablespoons honey

1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Grated Nutmeg for garnish

1. Pour the milk and whiskey into a small saucepan and stir in the honey and vanilla.

2. Heat slowly on low not allowing the mixture to boil. Whisk to allow the honey and vanilla to dissolve and to create a froth.

3. Pour into warm mugs and sprinkle with fresh nutmeg.

Serve hot.

Sláinte!