Erin go bragh-less.

So it’s time for St Patrick’s day again. I tried to find some mixes,but there isn’t much out there. There are drinks that are green,but not many dedicated to this holiday,and most of them aren’t very good. I was able to find one that worked:

Mix #281 Patrick’s Pina

2oz Irish whisky
2oz pineapple juice
1oz orange juice
1/2oz cream of coconut
1/4oz lime juice
1/4oz simple syrup

Blend with ice until slushy and pour into black footed pilsner glass.

From Trader Vic’s comes a St Patty’s Pina Colada. It basically tastes like a Pina Colada except with whisky instead of rum. Try it if you’d like a tropical whisky drink.

Here’s a fun fact,do you know what holiday also falls on March 17th? The ancient Roman festival of Liberalia. This was in honor of Liber Pater,the god of fertility,and his consort Libera. In rustic areas,a procession featuring a large phallus was carried throughout the countryside to bring the blessings of fertility to the land and people,and to protect the crops. At the end of the parade,a ‘virtuous and respected’ matron would place a wreath upon the phallus. Then they would have a coming-of-age feast for Roman boys entering adulthood.

So what does this have to do with Tiki? Well first it was celebrated by drinking,so I’m down for that. Second,it’s where Liber & Co got the inspiration for their name from. And since they make syrups used in Tiki mixes,that’s good enough for me. So let’s celebrate Liberalia everybody!

Mix #282 Cesar’s Rum Punch

2oz Rhum Barbancourt 8yr rum
2oz lime juice
1oz grenadine
1/4oz simple syrup
3 dashes Angostura bitters

Shake with ice and pour into Collins glass.

Ok,so the Cesar this was named for wasn’t the Roman emperor Caesar,but the name’s close enough. And we have our Tiki tie-in because Joseph Cesar served this classic in the 1930s at the Hotel Oloffson in Port-au-Prince,Haiti. This is a very interesting drink in that it’s just like Sweet Tarts candy;it starts out with a sweet grenadine flavor,then you get the tart lime. What’s impressive is that it holds this sweet/tart flavor through the whole drink. Definitely give this one a try and be sure to use Rhum Barbancourt since this drink was created in Haiti with this rum.

Mix #283 Tantric Moped

1.5oz dark aged Barbados rum
1/2oz pineapple rum
1/2oz Amaro di Angostura*
1/2oz velvet falernum
1/2oz cinnamon syrup
1/2oz lime juice

Shake with ice and pour into tall glass.

*I made my own with 50:50 Angostura bitters and simple syrup.

Created by bartender Jim Freeman,this sounded good and the name went right along with this festival. A nice drink with spice and cinnamon burn,I actually didn’t taste any of the pineapple rum,but liked it anyway. Hey,rule #2 in effect,and if you use Dr Bird’s 114 proof pineapple rum,you won’t care.

So wear green or parade around with a phallic symbol. Whatever works for you,there’s a cocktail that’ll make it even more fun. Enjoy!