St. Patrick’s Day Perfection
Lads and lassies alike are getting into the Irish spirit this weekend to celebrate in style! St. Patty’s Day is the perfect reason to party it up with family and friends. So this Saturday celebrate by hosting an Irish bash your guests will be raving about well into spring. Use these simple tips to throw an impressive event featuring delicious drinks, festive décor, and fabulous food.
Photo Credit from Left to Right (Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 4, Photo 5)
Décor:
If you’re looking for alternatives to common party store decorations, there are endless creative DIY tricks to bring a touch of Ireland into your home. Decorate with festive green shades and accents of gold. Use tall vases with green sprigs or beer mugs planted with lucky clovers. For a centerpiece gather a collection of green glass pieces or purchase pillar candle holders and hang sparkly leprechaun inspired hats at varying heights and levels.
Food:
Create a table of green treats to tempt your guests. Stick with easy to eat appetizers but make sure there are savory options, especially if guests are drinking! Delicious foods such as shamrock sandwiches, stout pies, corned beef and cabbage rolls, or corned beef quesadillas are easy to whip up but will fill up your guests and continue with the St. Patrick’s Day theme. For desserts, you can’t go wrong with creatively decorated cupcakes, chocolate gold coins, green colored candies, or clover shaped cookies. If you have time to prepare a special treat, try a chocolate Irish Crème Cheesecake or check out this easy recipe for a Chocolate Stout Shake from Better Homes and Gardens.
Chocolate Stout Shake:
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup chocolate stout beer or stout beer
- 1/2 cup prepared chocolate fudge ice cream topping
- 1/2 gallon vanilla bean ice cream
- 1 cup milk
Directions:
1. In a small saucepan heat beer and chocolate topping until warm and combined. Cool slightly.
2. Meanwhile, in a blender combine ice cream and milk, half at a time. Cover and blend until combined. Divide ice cream mixture among 8 glasses. Drizzle with chocolate sauce.
Drinks:
While St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect (and possibly only) excuse to drink green beer, it’s great to have other cocktail options for your guests. Search for cocktails with Irish Whiskey, Bailey’s crème, or any drink with a festive green color. Drinks such as “Irish Eyes” or “Old Dublin Apple Martinis” are always popular. To break up the green and add a gold touch, try an “Irish Gold” cocktail.
Irish Gold Cocktail:
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskley
- 2 parts Ginger ale
- 1/2 part peach schnapps
- splash of Orange Juice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Directions:
1. Build the whiskey, schnapps, and juice in a glass filled with ice.
2. Top with Ginger Ale. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Atmosphere:
This Irish holiday is the day to go over the top with green. Encourage guests to rock green clothing. They will get in the St. Paddy’s spirit by digging up scarves, hats, jewelry, and other fun attire to keep them from getting pinched. Create a playlist of Irish Pub songs and let your guests mix and mingle!
