Between the crowds and the Celtic bagpipes, no one could blame you for wanting to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at home with friends. But just because you’re not at a packed pub doesn’t mean your observance has to be low key.
To help you enjoy more than just pints and drams here are some of our favorite St. Patty’s drinks. Sláinte!No discussion of St. Patrick’s Day elixirs would be complete without the classic Black Velvet. No we’re not talking about Alannah Myles' hit 1989 song but the rich mix of Guinness and bubbly.
The old standard, naturally, has a way of showing up on menus this time of year. And its preparation couldn’t be simpler—add equal parts to a flute.Black Velvet
Ingredients:1 part Guinness1 part ChampagneGlass: Flute
Directions:Add the Guinness to a flute and top with bubbly.
Another traditional and truly delicious Irish cocktail is, you guessed it, Irish Coffee. While the concoction may be available in many bars and restaurants, it’s rarely made well; usually bartenders are too heavy-handed with the whiskey.
Our recipe comes from master mixologist Dale DeGroff, author of The Craft of the Cocktail and served at the award-winning Manhattan bar The Dead Rabbit, and is one recipe everybody should keep handy.
Irish Coffee
Contributed by Dale DeGroff
Ingredients:4 oz Coffee (hot).5 oz Demerara simple syrup (2 parts Demerara sugar, 1 part water; stir to dissolve)1.5 oz Irish whiskeyGarnish: hand-whipped creamGlass: Large stemmed glass
Directions:Add all the ingredients to the glass and stir to combine. Top the drink with a dollop of cream.
One of our favorite new Irish whiskey cocktails is from top drinks slingers Joaquin Simo who co-owns East Village stalwart Pouring Ribbons.
It combines the spirit with a rich honey syrup and bartender favorites, Green Green Chartreuse and Dolin Genepy des Alpes. It may be old-fashioned but it could just be your new favorite.
Emerald Old Fashioned
Created by Joaquin Simi
Ingredients:2 oz Knappogue Castle 12 year Single Malt Irish Whiskey1 tsp honey syrup (2 parts wildflower honey, 1 part water)1 tsp Green Chartreuse1 tsp Dolin Genepy des AlpesGarnish: Mint sprigGlass: Rocks
Directions:Add all the ingredients to a rocks glass and fill with ice. Stir and garnish with a mint sprig.
If you’re looking for something a bit simpler try making a special holiday Boilermaker, which pairs Irish whiskey and a stout beer. (There are few duos as perfect. I’d even argue it’s right up there with gin and vermouth.)
And for the perfect Boilermaker we turned to—who else?—Sam Gauthier, head bartender at New York’s Boilermaker bar. The smooth, pot still Redbreast Whiskey is the perfect foil for the chocolatey craft brew from Southern Tier.
Whiskey & Chocolate Boilermaker
Contributed by Sam Gauthier
Ingredients:12 oz Southern Tier Choklat Stout2 oz Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey
Directions:Serve the two alcohols side by side.
