Beer and Saint Patrick’s Day go together like corned beef and cabbage.
We’ve got some tips and ideas for festive beverages that will help make your Saint Patrick’s Day fun and memorable.
First, we have a fun take on a classic beer.
Add a drop or two of green food coloring to Miller Lite to quickly give the beer a festive twist. The green color adds just enough fun without distracting from the great taste of Miller Lite. This is a great go-to if you’re short on time after whipping up your holiday meal.
If you’re hosting a family-friendly party or have a designated driver who wants to feel festive, simply add food coloring to ginger ale or lemon-lime soda for a non-alcoholic green beverage.
Another perfect Saint Paddy’s Day beer is the Harp Lager, and we’re using it to make a classic Half & Half.
This pale lager is brewed in Ireland and has a clean, rich taste. Although it’s delicious as is, you can pair Harp with another Irish favorite like the Guinness Draught to create a unique cocktail. Guinness may look dark, but it’s in fact a light beer option. Guinness only has 160 calories per pint compared to around 300 calories in the average American IPA.
- We poured 10 ounces of Harp Lager into a chilled glass. Then, using an inverted spoon, we slowly poured 10 ounces of Guinness Draught over the spoon so that it floats on top of the lager creating a nice two-tone effect.
Our next beverage also features a Guinness, but it’s a twist on a classic cocktail – an Irish Manhattan.
This is a festive holiday drink for someone who wants a cocktail option.
- First, we combined 1 1/2 ounces of Jameson Irish whiskey, 3/4 ounce of sweet vermouth and 2 dashes Angostura bitters in a glass and stirred.
- Next we’ll add an ounce of Guinness.
Finally, you can garnish the drink with a Maraschino cherry and enjoy!
Killian’s Irish Red is a great match for the holiday. Killian’s is a lager that pairs well with an assortment of meats including your favorite chicken wings. The hops and carbonation cut through the fattiness from the chicken and the spiciness from the buffalo sauce while the toasted malts perfectly compliment the breading.
If you’re still looking for a wing recipe for a Saint Patrick’s Day party, check out this George Killian’s Wing Recipe.
There are so many delicious beer, cider and nonalcoholic products that you can pair with food and add to special cocktails to make your Saint Patrick’s Day fun and memorable. But, most importantly, we remind everyone that the best recipe for a great holiday is to drink responsibly and designate a sober driver.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! And to see these beers and cocktails in action, check out the video below from WBIR-TV Channel 10.