St. Patrick’s Day celebrates one of Ireland’s patron saints; St. Patrick. But honestly most U.S. merrymakers are more focused on wearing green and making certain they are on the party bus with the most Irish pub stops. Though St. Patrick’s Day is not a federal holiday, it is a national phenomenon. It’s also a day (or evening) some significantly call “amateur night.”
You’ve heard it before, but please party your heart out, tip your bartenders and servers and for pity’s sake, make arrangements for sober drivers and cabs.
The Commodore – created by Cheri Loughlin
1 ounce Spiced Rum
1 ounce Irish Whiskey
1 ounce Apple Juice
1/8 ounce Agave Nectar
1-1/2 ounce Brut Champagne
Apple Wedge Garnish – optional
Combine all liquids except champagne in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with brut champagne. Garnish with apple slice if desired.
Barefoot Brut Champagne and Shellback Spiced Rum were used during the creation of this recipe, but feel free to use spirits and bubblies you keep on hand.
St. Patrick’s Day tradition brings to mind corn beef and cabbage, leprechauns, green beer, Irish soda bread and of course Irish Coffee. Irish Coffee started in the early 40’s in Ireland and was introduced in America in 1952. It has since become synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day.
John Concannon,Brand Ambassador to Concannon Irish Whiskey and 4th Generation Vintner, met up with Larry Silva, the general manager of Buena Vista Café in San Francisco, the birthplace of Irish Coffee in America, to see how a true Irish Coffee with Concannon should be made. Watch the video for Larry’s suggestions and watch how easy and fast multiple Irish Coffees can be whipped up just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
Concannon True Irish Coffee
6 ounce coffee glass – preheated. 2 sugar cubes. Couple ounces fresh hot coffee – stir to dissolve sugar. Generous helping of Concannon Irish Whiskey. Top with lightly blended heavy cream.
But St. Patrick’s Day goes on all day. Pace yourself! You’re going to want even more recipes. Keep reading!
Concannon Irish Whiskey is an independent spirit of Ireland developed as a joint collaboration between Livermore Valley-based Concannon Vineyard and Ireland’s Cooley distillery.
Concannon Irish Whiskey is a refined blend of malted barley and corn, craft distilled for proper balance of character and purity. It is matured in bourbon barrels for a minimum of four years, then mellowed in Concannon Petite Sirah wine barrels for four months before blending. John Concannon refers to this as the “Concannon Effect.” This process gives Concannon Irish Whiskey its unique fruity character and full, clean balanced taste. ~ Information from product facts
80 Proof / 40% alcohol
Suggested Retail Price: $25 range / 750ml
Availability: Nationally distributed in the U.S. since 2012.
Concannon Irish Whiskey received Best New Irish Whiskey of the Year in 2012 from the International Spirits Competition (NYISC).
Concannon Irish Whiskey Official Brand Tasting Notes
Visual: Light golden wheat
Aroma: Toasted malt, red fruit and vanilla
Palate: Balance of honey sweet, spice and citrus
Finish: Medium-length. Warming and round, with hint fresh oak
Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails: Concannon Irish Whiskey recommends the following cocktails for St. Patrick’s Day and year round sipping enjoyment.
An Old Fashioned Concannon
2 ounces Concannon Irish Whiskey
Orange Zest
2 Spoons Vanilla Infused Sugar
3 dashes Orange Bitters
Lightly muddle sugar, orange zest and bitters in bottom of tumbler style glass. Add 1/3 of whiskey and a few ice cubes. Stir, ensuring sugar has lifted from base of glass while mixing. Add another 1/3 of whiskey with few cubes of ice. Stir, mixing whiskey and sugar. Repeat with remaining whiskey. Photo provided by The Baddish Group
By the way… If you want to see something that looks really delicious, visit the Concannon Irish Whiskey website (website & Facebook link at the end of post) and click on the Mix It Up link for more cocktail recipes. Find the Roses & Oranges cocktail created by Master Mixologist Gillian Boyle. She used Orange Marmalade and fresh Rosemary. Her cocktail creation simply looks divine!!!
Concannon Raspberry Basil Smash
1-1/2 ounce Concannon Irish Whiskey
5 to 8 Fresh Raspberries
1/3 ounce Simple Syrup
3 to 4 Basil Leaves
1/4 ounce Lemon Juice
Basil Sprig & Fresh Raspberries Garnish
Muddle raspberries and basil in cocktail shaker. Add remaining liquids with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into rocks glass over fresh cracked ice. Garnish with basil sprig and fresh raspberries. Photo provided by The Baddish Group
This year Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey celebrates an “Irish True” year with the opening of the new Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre in Tullamore, Ireland. The new Tullamore D.E.W. packaging highlights the brand’s history, founder and namesake, Daniel E. Williams, with the initials, D.E.W., placed prominently on the bottle.
Daniel was a distillery worker who had a vision and stayed true to that vision. He became the general manager and brought modern conveniences and technology of the day to the distillery so he could make his whiskey his way. The Irish True way.
Tullamore D.E.W is a unique blend of three types of Irish whiskey; pot still, malt and grain whiskey. It was the first and remains the only international Irish whiskey to pioneer this unique blend of three. The malted and unmalted barley used in the whiskey is dried in enclosed kilns, rather than over peat fires. This creates a smooth, yet complex taste rather than one of peated smokiness.
The original Tullamore D.E.W. blend is recognized for its smooth, gentle flavor. It has also won numerous awards including the much-prized trophy at the International Spirits Challenge, the highest accolade in the drinks industry.
Tullamore D.E.W. Official Brand Tasting Notes
Color: Medium amber gold
Aroma: Mild blend of spicy, lemony and malty notes, with charred wood and vanilla undertones
Body: Light bodied, sweetish spices, buttery and rounded with light citrus fruitiness
Palate: Warming, pleasant maltiness with toasted wood and vanilla hints
Finish: Smooth and gentle, the complex flavors lingering
Reference Price: $24
“St. Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time – a day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic.” ~ Adrienne Cook
You can be Irish True too. Toast St. Patrick’s Day with Tullamore D.E.W straight, on the rocks or in these St. Patrick’s Day themed cocktails.
The 1829
1 ounce Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey
1 ounce Orange Juice
1 ounce Lillet Rouge
1 ounce Cherry Brandy
Orange Slice or Orange Twist Garnish
Combine ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with fresh orange slice or fresh orange peel twisted over drink and dropped in. Notation: Bols or Heering Cherry Liqueur can be used as Cherry Brandy. Flavor profile was not designed to fit with Maraschino Liqueur flavor. (cocktail photo provided by Susan Magrino Agency)
The Irish Ward
1-1/2 ounce Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey
1/2 ounce Grenadine
1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice
1/2 ounce Fresh Orange Juice
Lime Wheel Garnish
Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lime wheel. (cocktail photo provided by Susan Magrino Agency)
Place liqueur, half & half and Irish Whiskey in heat resistant mug. Top with fresh brewed coffee. Garnish with whipped cream and shaved chocolate curls if desired.
Rim shot glass with sugar. Set aside. Heat Irish cream liqueur in microwave for approximately 15 to 20 seconds. Pour immediately into prepared sugar rimmed shot glass.
Prepare ahead for St. Patrick’s Day. Friends by your side, change in your pocket and a cab on speed dial. And for goodness sake, no texting, photos and Facebook after the third drink. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
“Before you call for one for the road be sure you know the road.” – Irish Saying
Irish Martini
3 measures Irish Cream
1 measure Irish Whiskey
1 shot cooled Espresso
Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with shaved chocolate or espresso beans if desired.
Decadent fresh fruit flavor. Coconut comes through lightly rather than with sweetened bite. Faint watermelon in the background finished this drink off to completion. Pale green color makes this drink a fun choice for St. Patrick’s Day.
Kiwi Colada – created by Cheri Loughlin
1-1/2 measure Watermelon Juice
1 Fresh Kiwi – peeled & sliced
1 measure Cream of Coconut
6 Fresh Pineapple Chunks
12 ounces Ice
Kiwi Slice Garnish
Place all ingredients except garnish in blender with ice. Blend until completely smooth. Pour into goblet or decorative cocktail glass. Garnish with kiwi slice.
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