Not keen on dyeing your lips green as you celebrate St Patrick's Day? The good news is, there's nothing particularly Irish about putting green food colouring into a beverage — and there are tastier things from or inspired by Ireland to drink instead! Here are five different drinks you can have or make at home using products we carry in store to cultivate a bit of that Irish luck.
Imported Beer
No amount of green food colouring could change the deep dark colour of Guinness Draught, and we like it that way. Developed in 1959, this beer was the celebration of Arthur Guinness signing his 9,000-year lease on the brewery – a fitting way to mark 200 years of brewing. With a skillful pairing of nitrogen gas and carbon dioxide, the smooth, velvety texture was born. Drinkers were instantly drawn to its complexity and bold combination of flavours. It’s rich, creamy, a perfect combination of bitter and sweet that draws you in with every sip. And don’t forget to follow the Guinness-approved steps for a perfect pour everytime, white head and all.
If you prefer something lighter, Kilkenny Cream Ale or Harp Lager are great alternatives for an Irish imported beer — or try them all with the Irish Beer mixed pack!
Local Beer
If you’re keen to support local this St. Paddy’s Day, Edmonton brewery Sea Change crafts an Irish Red Ale that pays homage to the traditional Irish pub ale! This beer is easy drinking, well-rounded and approachable for fans of darker beer styles, and features prevalent soft toffee and caramel notes paired with mild bitterness — a local favourite for sure! Our neighbours off 124th street, Arcadia Brewing, have also brewed up an Irish red this year, so check them out!
Irish Cream
Irish Cream is a creamy liqueur based on Irish whiskey, cream and other flavourings. Within the European Union, Irish Cream has a Protected Geographic Indicator (PGI) which means it must be produced within Ireland. You can enjoy Irish Cream on its own, over ice, or mixed in coffee for a fun start to your St Patrick’s Day morning. Alternatively, you can use it in a White Russian cocktail, or pour over dessert or ice cream for a sweet treat.
While there are several popular brands, we have the Feeney’s Irish Cream, regarded as the most luxurious Irish Cream in the world, on sale just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! Feeney’s Irish Cream contains rich dairy cream and barrel aged Irish whiskey that is matured for at least three years. From the cows grazing in the rich pastures of Ireland, it takes just 24 hours to go from dairy to bottle, delivering that signature Feeney’s freshness.
Irish Whiskey
There are many well-known Irish whiskey brands such as Jameson and Bushmills, but we’re big fans of Tullamore DEW—especially if you’re new to drinking Irish whiskey!
Tullamore distillery was first established in 1829 in Tullamore, a small town in Ireland. “DEW” stands for the name of original distiller Daniel Edmund Williams. Tullamore DEW is a triple-blended Irish whiskey and known around the world for its smooth finish, gentle complexity, and versatile, citrus-forward palette. It’s a blend of grain whiskey, which gives sweet flavours, malt whiskey, which gives fruit flavours, and pot still whiskey which adds spice flavours. It’s triple cask matured for depth and balance, aged in traditional refill barrels, ex-bourbon barrels and ex-sherry casks.
Irish Cocktail
If you still REALLY need something green to drink this St Paddy’s Day, then this is the drink for you. The Shamrocked Cocktail combines Irish Whiskey and Irish Cream with the green Midori Melon Liqueur, for a fun, easy-drinking cocktail that wonderfully balances bitter and sweet.
Shamrocked Cocktail Recipe:
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Midori Liqueur 1 oz. Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey .5 oz Feeney’s Irish Crème
Instructions:
Put all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Top with whipped cream and a fresh mint leaf for garnish.
With so many options to choose from for drinkers of all types, get creative this St. Patrick’s Day, support a local brewery or brewpub, and don’t just add green food colouring to a lager beer. Sláinte!
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