Today is St. Patrick's Day, otherwise considered a widely accepted excuse to imbibe, regardless of true Irish blood. Having turned 21 in the last year, I am jubilant to be able to celebrate my first St. Patrick's Day in true St. Patrick's Day fashion. Just short of finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, this series of "how to" guides will be sure to get you in the Irish spirit too, regardless of your celebratory preferences.
A Safe Guide to Drinking on St. Patty's Day:
St. Patty's Day has become a day of drinking, plain and simple. Those who remember to wear green are at least safe from pinching, but no one is safe from the deals on Guinness and Jameson around town. This is the one day out of the year dedicated to being a proud Irish, even if you aren't Irish at all, so put down that fruity little cocktail and try something new!
One of my all time favorite alcoholic delights happens to be an Irish Cider called Magners. It's a sweet drink (almost champagne-like, though, without the excess carbonation) and despite the fact that it comes on tap or in a bottle it is nothing like beer. If you order it, ask for a glass of ice and pour it on top - that's the traditional way to enjoy it. Another fantastic beverage to try is a 50/50 or Half and Half. This is a beer combination of Guinness and Harp - a light beer and a dark beer. Both are delicious separately but the combination is to die for. And of course, there is always an Irish Car Bomb - a pint of Guinness that is served with a shot of Bailey's that you drop in seconds before you pound the whole drink. And now is the time (as if you really needed one), to splurge on some shots of Jameson.
Remember to please drink responsibly, and always in the company of good friends.
A start to your St. Patty's Day Playlist:
In the event that you do not go out on St. Patty's Day, but are still feeling the spirit of The Isle:
1. Watch P.S. I Love You.
Yes, that gorgeous countryside in which a young Hilary Swank finds her gorgeous love is located in Ireland
2. Lay in a field and find that lucky four-leafed clover.
They do exist, I am sure of it.
3. Make this delicious meal.
Steamed broccoli with Blue Cheese, Red Onion and Mint. (It can be found in this month's issue of Cosmopolitan but I've copied it down for your convenience).
Ingredients: 2 large heads broccoli
2 large red onions
1/4 cup olive oil
6 ounces crumbled bleu cheese
2/3 cup fresh mint leaves
Directions:
Steam the broccoli until tender (about 10 minutes). Add sauteed red onions and add bleu cheese and mint leaves to taste. It's green, and minty - perfect St. Patty's Day Combo!
There you have it, a guide to making this St. Patty's day one for the books. Be safe, be responsible, be green!
- Chelsea Byers, Staff Writer