Elevate Your St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish Way

Like most of the great drinking holidays, there are many ways to approach St. Patrick’s Day. Slamming pints of artificially colored beer at your local dive bar may be one of them, but if you’re interested in diving deeper into Irish whiskey and delicious corned meats, consider this your classy guide through a finer St. Patrick’s Day.

Joseph Deleo / Styling by Roscoe Betsill

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Top O' the Mornin'

While countless variations on this classic exist, the painfully sugary concoctions that come covered in whipped cream, found at many modern bars, have about as much in common with the original Irish coffee as your Half-Caf Peppermint Spiced Soy Blended Mochaccino has with a shot of proper espresso.

Let us show you how to make the perfect, original Irish coffee—potent, not too sweet, and best at any time of the day.
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The More You Know!

On this the most venerable of booze-related holidays, you should really take a moment to get to know your whiskey. Check out our guide to what makes Irish whiskey what it is, complete with bottle recommendations and cocktails recipes to round out your history lesson.
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The Real Corned Beef

There’s no more a quintessential Irish-American dish than corned beef and cabbage. While corning your own brisket can seem daunting, with our guide, a bit of patience and a few pints of beer, you too can make this classic dish at home.
Photo by Josh Dickinson

4

Beverage of an Artist as a Young Man

While absolutely delicious in a room-temperature glass with nothing else, Irish whiskey’s approachable flavor profile also makes it a very versatile cocktail ingredient. Our friends at Expatriate in Portland, Oregon, offer up The James Joyce, a Jameson-based beverage that gives you an alternative to St. Patrick’s Day cocktails that doesn’t involve dropping a shot into a pint of Guinness.
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Bartender, know how to make a Red Eye?

Like to play with your booze? Didn’t know Ireland had its own vodka? Never heard of an Irish Martini, but are now really intrigued by what that could entail? Here are three more St. Patrick’s Day cocktails to keep your evening interesting.
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Whiskey is flowing...

Finally, if you’re looking to treat yourself to something special, Wine Enthusiast Spirits Editor Kara Newman has rounded up 6 Irish whiskies that have just hit the market, and the stories behind them. From Jameson aged in craft-beer barrels to single-tree casks and an official whiskey from seminal Irish folk-punk band The Pogues, try one of these bottles for a unique St. Patrick’s Day experience. Also recommended: bringing one into your local and pouring a shot for your favorite bartender. They’ll probably need one.