3 St Paddy's Day Drinks that Kick Green Beer's Butt

Beannachtam na Femle Padraig ("Happy St. Patrick's Day!")

Let's start this with an Irish toast: 

May those that love us, love us

And those that don’t love us.

May God turn their hearts.

And if he doesn’t turn their hearts,

May he turn their ankles

So we’ll know them by their limping

Now, for the drinks. Green beer is cool if you're under the age of 25, but after that point, it's time to get a bit more refined. Guiness is always an option, and so is straight Irish whisky. However, if you'd like something a little sweeter, here are some options (and not all of them contain whisky): 

2 Gingers "Big Ginger"

Ingredients: 

2 parts 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey

Ginger Ale
Lemon Wedge
Lime Wedge

Method: 

Pour the 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey into a pint glass with ice. Top with ginger ale, followed by a wedge of a lemon and lime.

Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Manhattan

Ingredients:

50ml Tullamore D.E.W. Original

15ml sweet vermouth
5 ml Luxardo maraschino liqueur
Dash Angostura bitters
Dash Orange bitters
Orange zest
Maraschino cherry

Method:

Stir the ingredients together quickly over ice. Pour into a chilled coupette glass. Zest orange twist over surface of drink, spiral and drop into the glass.

Milagro "Cool as a Cucumber Margarita"

Ingredients: 

2 parts Milagro Silver

1 part Fresh Lime Juice

3 Cucumber Slices

1 Lime wheel

1 Cucumber Stick

Garnish: course ground sea salt and black peppercorn mix

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a blender without ice. Blend and pour over fresh ice into a rocks glass prepared with a half salted rim. Garnish with a cucumber spear and lime wheel (optional).

Do you have any fun plans for St. Paddy's Day? What about a go-to drink?

Spirited Sunday: Chinese Laundry Booties & Milagro Anejo

Easy Does It...

Sundays are for taking it fairly easy... as in brunch with friends, maybe watching a football game (or 3) and generally keeping things casual. You don't want to look completely dressed down, though. A cute ankle bootie with a block heel will pull together most looks, whether you're wearing jeans and your favorite team's jersey or leggings and a chunky sweater. This Raylin Bootie by Kristin Cavallari for Chinese Laundry is great option. It has an everyday feel, but the gold block heel add some umph (and makes it more comfy than a stiletto).

Days like this, you want something warm to sip (especially if you've been screaming at the TV). If you want something more exciting than your normal Irish coffee, try the More Precious Than Gold, featuring Milagro Anejo. (No judging Irish coffee. We LOVE Irish Coffee.) It's creamy, sweet, and who doesn't love a pumpkin drink? If you can't get your bartender to whip this up for you, just ask for the anejo in some pumpkin flavored coffee... or even regular coffee with honey. Either one will still do the trick... they just might not match your booties as well.

More Precious than Gold

1.5 oz. Milagro ANEJO

.5 oz. dark crème de cacao

4 saffron threads

1 pinch of chili flakes

.5 oz. brown sugar syrup

3 dashes of chocolate bitters

.5 oz. of sweet potato puree

1.5 oz. of hot water

Add all ingredients in small pot and heat up till almost boiling. Pour into Irish coffee cup or mug. Top with whipped cream and garnish with saffron. 

Booze Clues: National Margarita Day- 5 Takes on the Festive Cocktail

Print by Vintagraphy

I bet you thought National Margarita Day was on May 5th (Cinco de Mayo!), but it's actually today, and it honors Jmmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Since it's Saturday, you'll likely indulge in a spirited beverage or two (ok, five) this evening. If margaritas weren't already on your agenda, they should be now- but PLEASE make sure there's no sour mix in them. From the classic version to more intriguing interpretations, there's a margarita for everyone.

Cointreau Classic Margarita

Cointreau's Classic Margarita
2 oz. Blanco tequila
1 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. Lime juice


Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and add ice. Shake and strain into a margarita glass. Garnish with a lime wheel and salt.

Milagro Veracruzana Pineapple Margarita

The Veracruzana Pineapple Margarita

2 parts Milagro Reposado Tequila

¾ part Agave Nectar

1 part Fresh Lime Juice

4 Pineapple Chunks

2 Basil Leaves

Muddle pineapple and basil leaves in a Boston shaker. Add remaining ingredients and shake vigorously with ice. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish cocktail with pineapple and basil.

Partida Ruby Margarita

Partida RUBY MARGARITA 

1 ½ oz Partida Reposado Tequila

1 ½ oz Fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit juice

½ oz Cointreau

½ oz Fresh squeezed lemon juice

½ oz French Cassis. 

Shake the first 4 ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Dribble the ½ oz French Cassis down the inside of the glass so it will settle at the bottom.

Hearts & Tarts Margarita

Hearts & Tarts Margarita

1 Jalapeño Slice

1 1/2 oz. El Silencio Mezcal

3/4 oz. Passionfruit Syrup

3/4 oz. Orange Curaçao

3/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

In a mixing glass, with a muddler press a jalapeño slice. Add rest of ingredients, add ice and shake. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

*Created by Marcos Tello of LA's Tart Restaurant

*If you're not into tequila AT ALL, try: 

The Camus-rita

The Camus-rita 

2 oz. CAMUS VS  Elegance cognac
1 oz. lime juice
1 oz. orange juice
1 oz. triple sec

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into glass, garnish with slime of lime.