St. Patrick’s Day has become known as a day for Irish Pride and yet raising a toast or two. If you are having a St. Patty’s party in your home, try these easy cocktails made with Belvedere. Of course you have to have some food as well, and these recipes will begin your day with pancakes and end with a traditional Irish dinner.
I honestly don’t know anyone who doesn’t like pancakes. Toss in a bit of mint and chocolate chip and you have a brunch option that everyone will love. A little sweet and a little substance – just what you need to get your day started.
Mint Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
2 tablespoons butter, melted
and cooled to lukewarm,
plus more for cooking
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure mint extract
3 to 4 drops green food coloring (optional)
3/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips, plus more for topping
Whipped cream, for serving
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Store-bought sauce is fine, for serving
Preparation:
1. Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl.
2. Whisk together buttermilk, egg, butter, extracts, and food coloring (if using) in a small bowl. Add to dry ingredients and stir until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter; it should sizzle and melt almost immediately. Ladle 1/4 cup of pancake batter into skillet for each pancake, taking care not to let the pancakes run together. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until bottom is golden brown and edges begin to bubble, then carefully flip and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to plates. Repeat with remaining batter.
4. Serve warm with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, and more chocolate chips, if desired.
If brunch isn’t quite your thing you may want to try this amazing Irish Stew that your friends won’t be able to wait to sink their fork into this goodness.
Irish Stew
Ingredients
· 2 medium-sized onions, chopped
· Oil, for frying
· 1-ounce butter
· 1 sprig dried thyme
· 2 1/2 pounds best end of lamb neck, cut into large pieces
· 7 carrots, chopped lengthways into 2-inch pieces
· 2 tablespoons pearl barley
· 5 cups chicken stock, recipe follows
Salt (recommended: Fleur du Sel)
Freshly ground black pepper
1 bouquet garni (parsley, thyme, and bay leaf)
12 medium potatoes
1 bunch parsley, leaves finely chopped
1 bunch chives
Directions
In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, cook the onions in oil and butter, on medium-high heat until they are translucent. Add the dried thyme and stir. Add the lamb and brown on a high heat to seal in juices. Add carrots, and pearl barley. Pour in the chicken stock so that it almost covers the meat and vegetables. Season with salt and pepper, and add Bouquet garni. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 hours, being careful not to boil. Place potatoes on top of the stew, cover and cook for 30 minutes until the meat is falling beautifully off the bones and the potatoes are fork tender.
Serve the stew in large flat soup bowls, and drizzle herb butter over the potatoes or garnish with parsley and chives.
Stock:
Chicken carcass
1 onion
4 cups water
3 stalks celery, roughly chopped
Bay leaf
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the stockpot. Combine ingredients in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan and cover with water. Bring to boil and simmer for approximately 30 minutes. Then let it cool down and skim off the fat.
Herb Butter:
1 stick butter
1 small bunch parsley, finely chopped
1 small bunch chives, finely chopped
1 sprig thyme
Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add parsley, chives and thyme.
Of course if you just want to have a party with some great cocktails, then these are the ticket. Personally if you are Irish and happen to be looking for a themed cocktail for your wedding reception, consider these too.
Green Tea-ni Thyme
50ml/ 2 oz Belvedere Lemon Tea
20ml/ ¾ oz Lemon Juice
20ml/ ¾ oz Green Tea Syrup
3 Sprigs Fresh Thyme
Gentle press thyme in base of shaker. Add remaining ingredients and shake hard over ice. Fine strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a sprig of thyme.
The Lucky Charm
1.5 Belvedere Bloody Mary
1 oz Pineapple juice
¼ oz Lemon juice
2 bar spoons Rosemary syrup
Shake and strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Kiss Me I’m Irish
50ml/2 oz Belvedere Vodka
Dash Elderflower Syrup
3 chunks pink grapefruit
Muddle grapefruit with elderflower cordial.
Add crushed ice and churn. Re top with
crushed ice and garnish with a pink grapefruit
wedge.
These cocktails are wonderfully delicious but what happens if you need the “hair of the dog” to get ready for Monday Morning? To prevent Monday morning grogginess, end your St. Patrick’s Day celebration with Mercy – a caffeine-free, non-alcoholic drink packed with vitamins and amino acids that help fortify your body against the damage caused by alcohol. Enjoy one can for every three to five drinks so you can wake up feeling refreshed and revitalized the morning after your shamrock-filled celebration. Mercy retails for $12.50 for a four pack and $28.50 for a case. Believe me, your friends will thank you!
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