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Photo: Emerald Isle shown with an assortment of beers

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the bend and though the bars will be serving plenty of Guinness Stout and an assortment of beers, the green drinks surge in popularity on the weekend before (March 14-16) and Monday, March 17. Three types of liquor are associated with Ireland and are of Irish origin–Irish Whiskey, Poitin and Stout. A National Retail Federation survey found that 8 in 10 Americans will wear green, and ages 25 to 44 will spend the most on food, beverages and other items, averaging $41.62.

Here are a few cocktail recipes in honor of the Irish:

• Emerald Isle:  1 part Gin;  1 tsp Green Crème de menthe;  2 dashes bitters. Pour into  ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake well, then strain into a chilled martini glass.  Color: Green
• Lucky Leprechaun:1 part Midori Melon Liqueur; 1 part Coconut Rum; 6 parts pineapple juice;  lime wedge for garnish.  Pour ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake briefly, then pour in a tall glass with ice.  Color: Green
• An Bodhran:  1.25 oz Bushmills Irish Whiskey;  .5 oz Port;  1 tsp Maple sugar;  1 Egg;  Mint bitters for garnish.  Add ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice, shake heavily for about a minute and strain into a chilled coupe glass.  Garnish with three drops of mint bitters.
• Irish Coffee (great after a meal):  1.5 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey;  1 oz Brown sugar syrup (one part brown sugar, one part water);  Fresh brewed coffee;  unsweetened cream, lightly whipped.  Add the whiskey and syrup to an Irish Coffee glass and pour coffee into the mixture. Top with one inch of whipped cream.

Here are some drunk driving statistics as a reminder to be safe.