When Irish Eyes are Smiling

Wie Drams known in Pubs the world over, from the Blarney Stone to the luck of the Four-Leaf Clover

In a chilled cocktail glass goes the Rory O’More, by stirring and straining the following in a shaker: 1 ½ oz Midleton Irish whiskey, ¾ oz Boissiere sweet vermouth, and a dash of Fee Brothers orange bitters. “Slainte, and may we be alive this time next year”.

Brace yourself as you sip a bit of the Belfast Bomber. In a rocks glass filled with cracked ice, pour 1oz of Remy McMartin (who?) XO cognac along with 1oz Emmet’s Irish cream.“May the walls stop shakin’ and the glass stop breakin’, for evil returns to the evil doer”.

This next drink is dedicated with love to the one and only Sister Mary Ellen “Mell” Flynn, who says in times of strife, “God’s mill may grind slowly, love, but it grinds finely”. Before her years in the cloister she was a finer than fine bartender, teasing many a man with the preparation of her favorite martini, the Irish Milkmaid. All eyes were on her as she shook her shaker, filled with 1oz each of Boru vodka, Brady’s Irish cream, and Celtic Crossing liqueur. “God loves you Mary, and so do we”.

Get off your seat and on your feet for a toast to the Dancing Leprechaun. Grab a highball glass filled with ice and pour in 1 ½ oz Jameson Irish Whiskey, ¾ oz Drambuie, ¾ oz lemon juice, and fill with Canada Dry ginger ale. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel. “A good run is better than a bad stand”.

In for a bit of a body warmer, are ya’now ? Well then, the Nutty Dubliner is for you. In a warm mug, pour in ¾ oz each of Clontarf Irish whiskey, Carolan’s Irish cream, and Frangelico hazelnut liqueur. Fill the mug with hot coffee and top with whip cream, topped with chopped hazelnuts. “Top’O the Mornin’ to ya, and a hundred thousand welcomes”.

By now, everyone should be ready to celebrate the green day with a special cocktail.
St. Patrick’s Day goes in a chilled cocktail glass, but first stir and strain ¾ oz each of the following: Bushmills Irish whiskey, Bols green creme de menthe, green Chartreuse, and add a dash of Angostura bitters. “Beannachtai na Fiele Padraig – Happy Saint Patrick’s Day”.

The colors of a country mean so much to the people who live within it. The Irish Flag goes in a pousse cafe glass, starting with ½ oz Hiram Walker green creme de menthe, layered over with ½ oz Bailey’s Irish cream, and a ¼ oz top layer of Christian Brothers brandy. “Ireland forever, for a country without a language is a country without a soul".

The legendary Irish rock band U2 has a drink named after one of their songs. The Zoo Station goes in a rocks glass over ice with a ½ oz each of Amaretto di Amore, Kahlua, Dekuyper banana liqueur, Devonshire Irish cream, and 1oz of cream. Stir well. “May the road rise with you, for it takes time to build castles”.

For a simple combination, belly up to the bar and order a Dublin Doubler. Shake 1 ½ oz each of Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey and Brady’s Irish cream and strain into an old fashioned glass. There you have it. “Say little but say it well”. “May the bearer of the news be safe”.

The luck of the Irish is on your side. The Blarney Stone Cocktail is to be shaken & strained in a cocktail glass, with 2 oz Brennan’s Irish whiskey, ½ teaspoon of both Bols anisette and Dekuyper triple sec, and ¼ teaspoon of Rene Neil maraschino liqueur. Add a twist of orange peel and an olive on the side. “Many a time a man’s mouth broke his nose”.

Updates - Was just in the studio today laying down the unabridged voice narration for my upcoming CD release of my book Spirits and their Popular Drinks. I have to go back next week and finish it up. Luckily, it looks like all of the content will fit comfortably on one 80-minute disc, instead of making it a double-disc, which of course, allows me to sell it at a lower price. A win-win for everyone. Later, kb