Being half Irish there is an expectation
that I should get really involved in St. Patrick’s Day. You know, get all kitted out in green, stick on some leprechaun badges and draw Shamrocks on my cheeks- the obvious ways to mark the day. Though drinking, parading around in garish outfits and singing loudly is not what the heritage of the day is really about; I think the element of celebration is truly at its core. This year I decided to actually embrace my Irish side. Firstly, I enjoyed the Google logo resembling Irish dancers. Secondly, I embraced the fact that the best way was to get merry in true Irish fashion (after all, the characterisation of St. Patrick’s Day as being a day for drinking is based on stereotypes of Irish immigrants as drunks). I know Ireland is not full of drunkards, but the alcohol concept is always fun to explore. I have found some rather intriguing and probably ‘liver lethal’ Guinness concoctions. Here are three ways to enjoy the black stuff (all serving one).
St Patrick’s Day flip
- 30ml Bushmills Irish whiskey
- 15ml Baileys
- 60ml condensed milk
- 1 egg
- 60ml Guinness
- Ice
- Grated nutmeg
Place the first four ingredients in a cocktail shaker and mix well, remembering to secure the lid (not that I forgot). Alternatively, blend together using a stick blender. Now add ice and Guinness, and then shake to combine. If you’re home for Easter grab one of your parents hi-ball glasses, if not a glass resembling cup will suffice. Finally top with grated nutmeg.
Purple velvet, AKA velvet pussy
- 35ml port
- 1 pint Guinness
This one is pretty simple, pour the port into a pint glass and top with Guinness. Easy but not for the faint hearted.
Black velvet
- 50ml Guinness
- 50ml Prosecco
- A dash of gin (optional but recommended)
This is the Irish cocktail with class. I personally didn’t attempt this as I have an inability to pour Guinness carefully, but my dad’s (the Irish parent) attempt at one was delicious. Firstly pour the Guinness carefully into a champagne glass and allow it to settle. Slowly pour the Prosecco or sparkling wine over a spoon into the glass. Foran extra kick, add a splash of gin.
While you’re enjoying either one or all of these celebratory cocktails, here are some interesting facts about this auspicious occasion. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in the U.S and the first recorded parade anywhere was in Boston in 1737. Even today, 18 out of the 20 largest St. Patrick’s Day parades are held in the states. St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland was actually much more subdued than celebrations in the US, due to the fact that it was a religious holiday and therefore treated with reverence. Up until 1995 pubs were not open on St. Patrick’s Day ( and my dad assured me that no pubs means no occasion in Ireland.)
St. Patrick’s day has unfortunately become associated with various political policies and campaigning, although I did not let this deter me. One American ‘tradition’ which is notably outrageous is the parade in Chicago. In Chicago they dye the river, at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, green for the day. Personally, I really can’t see the connection between murky looking water and the patron saint of Ireland, in terms of culture or religion; especially as it turns out blue was the colour most commonly associated with Patrick!
Recipes on The Guardian food website by Jane Baxter and Henry Dimbleby