Drink me, I’m Irish!

Oh, St. Patty’s Day. I remember rushing out after work and commencing a night-long celebration filled with green drinks. No longer inclined to drink dye-colored drinks, I’ve decided to acquaint myself with a few traditional, or not so much so, Irish inspired drinks.

Feel free to pop open your favorite bottle of Irish Whiskey and whip one or all of these up. I can tell you we enjoyed the research!

Irish Buck

1 1/2 ounces Irish Whiskey
1/4 oz fresh lime juice
2 oz ginger ale

Combine whiskey and lime juice pour over ice into a tumbler or Collins glass. Top with ginger ale or ginger beer. For garnish, top  with a lime wheel. The Hubbs and I liked this one, it was nice and refreshing.

Wild Irish Rose

2 oz. Irish whiskey
¾ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. grenadine, to taste
2 oz. soda water

Pour all ingredients into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Stir & serve. This was Hubbs’ favorite. We did add a bit more grenadine, probably a full ounce per drink. It was yummy!

Irish Kilt Martini

2 oz Irish Whisky
1 oz Scotch
1 oz lemon juice
1 oz sugar water
3 dashes of Angostura bitters

Combine all the ingredients in a shaker filled with ice, shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. This was my favorite. Lemony, sweet, tart and the bitters gave it a hint of clove. Oh yeah.

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Lemon Drop Martini

I’m sorry. I’ve neglected my responsibilities in the bartending department. I know. It’s a terrible, unforgivable offense. I will do better. How about I make it up to you with this little yummy gem?

Lemon Drop Martini
Makes 2 servings; trust me, you won’t be able to stop at 1

3 oz vodka
1 oz orange liqueur (like Triple Sec, Grand Marnier, etc.)
2-3 tsps sugar
1-1/2 oz fresh lemon juice (about 2-3 lemons)
Ice cubes
Martini glasses
Sugar for dipping
Lemon twist/peel

Yes, you want fresh lemon juice. Suck it up!

First, get your glasses ready. I like to fill my glass with ice and water, then I put them in the freezer while I mix the drink.

Second, dissolve the sugar: if you have a cocktail shaker, use that, otherwise a glass or measuring cup will do. Combine the sugar and vodka until completely dissolved. Then add the lemon juice and orange liqueur, and half-fill with ice; shake well.

Shake it until it feels like your hands will freeze… :-0 Set it aside, it’s time to rim the glasses.

Empty the glasses and let the water drain a bit.  Take a lemon wedge and rub it all around the edge of the glass so it is barely moist. Pour some sugar on a shallow plate, then dip the edge of the glass into the sugar.

Pour strained cocktail into the prettied-up martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.