Loved by drinkers around the world, St Patrick's Day celebrations rarely come in small measures so to raise a glass to our Irish cousins, here are three whiskey cocktails that are easy to master, and three red wines that work best with traditional Irish fare
Cocktails
1. Jameson Ginger & Lime
To kick off St Patrick's Day revelry, Jameson have released Jameson St Patrick's Day Limited Edition (currently reduced to £17 from £22.50 for 70cl, Tesco) to celebrate the "soul, warmth and wit of the Irish character". With a label featuring a soaring eagle, and silhouette of three friends rallying around banners and symbols representing Irish tribes of past and present, it's sure to inspire modern-day adventurers to come together and enjoy this approachable spirit.
Ingredients: 50ml Jameson Irish Whiskey, ginger ale, large wedge of lime.
Method: Fill a high ball glass with ice. Add the Jameson, top with ginger ale, stir briefly to mix. Take a large wedge of lime, give it a squeeze and drop it into the glass. Very refreshing!
2. Glendalough The Wicklow
One of Ireland's lucky charms is its ancient art of distilling, and the craft specialists at Glendalough Distillery have bottled Glendalough Double Barrel (£33.34 for 70cl, masterofmalt.com), a single grain Irish whiskey matured in bourbon barrels before being finished in oloroso sherry casks. Today, they've teamed up with Merchant House to create this cocktail to toast their patron saint.
Ingredients: 50ml Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey, 15ml pineapple syrup, 15ml Lillet Blanc.
Method: Half fill an old-fashioned glass with ice. Add the ingredients, stir slowly until chilled, strain into a vintage stemmed glass if you want to impress your friends with fancy stemware.
3. Dubliner Sour
Also uniting friends and thirsty crowds, horse-racing punters are warming up for the Cheltenham Festival and 'St Patrick's Thursday', which takes place on March 15. A winning ingredient if you're following the racing at home, try this sour recipe using The Dubliner Irish Whiskey, Bourbon Cask (£27.95 for 70cl, thewhiskyexchange.com).
Ingredients: 50ml The Dubliner Irish Whiskey, 20ml fresh lemon juice (half a lemon), 15ml sugar syrup, 20ml egg white, dash of Angustura Bitters.
Method: Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Dry-shake to emulsify the egg white, then add ice and shake again. Strain into an old-fashioned glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lemon peel and a cherry.
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