St. Patrick's Day Cocktails (and a Leprechaun-Approved Martini Recipe)

St. Patrick's Day is here. If you're not into drinking green beer, we're with you. But everyone likes a holiday, especially one that comes with an excuse for drinking.

With that in mind, here's a host of emerald-hued cocktails that would make any leprechaun (or resident of Oz) green with envy.

If you plan to celebrate tonight, don't drink and drive — take Uber, call a cab, or designate a driver. If you do find yourself having one too many, AAA offers a free "Tow to Go" service on St. Patrick's Day.

The auto club offers free rides home or to a safe location for up to two people and one car within a ten-mile radius. You do not need to be a AAA member, and the service cannot be reserved in advance. If you need Tow to Go, call 855-2-TOW-2-GO (855-286-9246).


MO Bar at Mandarin Oriental
If you’re looking for a sophisticated way to celebrate, stop into MO Bar Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental for a Last Word Cocktail, made with gin, green chartreuse, Luxardo Maraschino, and lime juice. Pair your cocktail with corned beef brisket sliders topped with cabbage and mustard – available only on St. Paddy’s Day ($12 each).

Oak Tavern
Though there isn't much green beer available in Ireland, there's a helluva lot of Irish coffee. Why? It could be the warming effect, perfect for seafaring men to enjoy after a long day on the Atlantic, or it could be because it's a delicious end to any meal. Oak Tavern is serving a traditional Irish coffee, made with Jameson whiskey, hot coffee, and a topping of homemade vanilla bean whipped cream ($8). Have it as a nightcap after dinner or alone for a traditional taste of Ireland.


RA Sushi
On St. Patrick’s Day, you can find green beer at a slew of bars. But have you ever had green sake? RA has it ($2), along with a wide assortment of leprechaun-approved drinks such as an Emerald Punch Bowl ($14), a Midori margarita ($5), a Kuronama car bomb ($6), and, of course, Jameson ($4). St. Paddy’s Day drink specials are offered all day March 17. 


Serendipity 3
At Lincoln Road’s Serendipity 3, take your pick of two St. Paddy's Day cocktails. Fans of the iconic Shamrock Shake will fall for the minty-green “Shamrockdipity” martini, made with crème de menthe, Bailey's, Godiva white chocolate liqueur, cream, and simple syrup. If you're looking for something more refreshing, the Patrick's Potion, made with Midori sour, vodka, and orange juice, is just the thing ($11 each).


Touché Rooftop Lounge & Restaurant
Touché's Touché-tini is made with Stoli, simple syrup, lemon juice, muddled cucumber, and basil and garnished with a cucumber slice ($14). It's perfect for an alfresco toast to the man who drove the snakes out of Ireland. 


JW Marriott
The JW Marriott is offering a special St. Patrick's martini, available all day, along with special pricing on Guinness and Irish whiskeys from 4 to 11 p.m. If you want to celebrate the drinking of the green at home, here's the recipe, courtesy of JW Marriott:

St. Patrick Martini
2 parts Absolut vodka
1 part Midori melon liqueur 
1/2 part pineapple juice
1/2 part sweet lime juice
lime slice and brown sugar for garnish

Mix spirits and juices in a Boston shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with brown sugar. Garnish with a lime slice.

Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.

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