Throughout its centuries-old existence, St. Patrick’s Day has grown to become a worldwide celebration. The “Irish holiday” has been adapted to various countries and cultures in which it is celebrated, while still maintaining many traditions and customs alive today. One of these traditions, which is also one of the most famous ones, is the drinking associated with St. Patrick’s Day festivities: For many people around the world, a key part of celebrating this beloved day involves having a few drinks!
The history of drinking on St. Patrick’s Day dates back to the mid-1700s when Irish immigrants began celebrating their national holiday in America for the first time. Although it was illegal at that time for people to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day due to anti-Catholic laws in certain states, many establishments served special drinks such as whiskey and beer that were decorated with shamrocks and green bows in honor of the day – however, it wasn’t popular until decades later when they became accepted by society and began drinking even more liberally; especially after prohibition was repealed in 1933!
The modern “Irish pub” as we know it today has its roots in this tradition: pubs across Ireland opened their doors to offer patrons delicious drinks and food while they celebrated the day – Guinness was naturally popular amongst these patrons while enjoying stories from long lost relatives! This sparked a worldwide trend where pubs became places to meet up with friends, old or new alike and enjoy some good traditional Irish cheer; or whiskey if you will!
In addition to this age-old tradition of simply gathering together for a good time with friends over some drinks; other activities such as parades have evolved as well from being purely celebratory events into more of touristic attractions and festivals where everyone can come together enjoy music among other things all centered around Irish culture and heritage like Celtic dancing or traditional Irish jigs etc… Today all kinds of handmade crafts can be found at these celebrations everywhere from jewelry made out of links reminiscent form leprechauns stories about pots gold placed at rainbows end all found by those feeling lucky enough who dare seek them out ;it truly makes for an enjoyable adventure!
Drinks to have on st patrick’s day
St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish holiday celebrated around the world and is renowned for its parades and green clothing and decorations. But one of the traditions that often gets overlooked is the tradition of drinking associated with the holiday.
Let’s take a look at the history and origins of St. Patrick’s Day drinking and find out why it has become such an important part of the celebration.
Pre-Christian Celebrations
Long before the Irish Christians adopted the day to honor St. Patrick, the Celts of Ireland were celebrating this day as a pagan festival marking the beginning of spring. A traditional part of these early celebrations was toasting with beer or mead (an ancient alcoholic drink made from fermented honey).
Naturally, these celebrations spilled over into Christianity and it is believed that St. Patrick’s Day became so closely associated with drinking because churches needed to change people’s behavior in order for them to truly embrace Christianity. To do this, church officials adapted many practices associated with earlier pagan rites and rituals and changed them into acceptable Christian activities such as processions, prayer services and drinking alcohol – all of which were held during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Over time consuming alcohol has become a central part of the holiday for many around the world – a celebration not only for the patron saint but for Irish culture itself (and now increasingly other cultures too!). Whether it be in Dublin, Chicago or Sydney everyone takes part in raising a pint on March 17th (or March 16th) while offering cheers of “Sláinte!” (which means “good health!”).
The Christianization of St. Patrick’s Day
Although it is widely accepted that St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with the consumption of alcohol, historically the origins of this practice come from the changes that were made around the world after Christianity became widespread. As St. Patrick was a Christian missionary, many nations embraced his teachings and venerated his day as part of his legacy. Over time, however, much of the celebration began to increase in scale and become more inclusive of drinking alcohol as part of the festivities.
The earliest record of alchohol being consumed in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations dates back to 1737, when Dublin tavern keeper John O’Bryan ordered 300 gallons (1128 liters) of beer for a public gathering on the day itself. By 1780 the event had become so large that Irish troops serving in America reportedly paid for beer to be shipped from Ireland for their own private celebrations across the pond during this time. In other Western European countries such as England and France, as well as North America churches began hosting large festivals and such events often included intense drinking at home or wherever one could purchase ale from a local pub landlord – ensuring that subsequent generations maintained customs which glorified mass alcohol consumption during St Patricks day celebrations.
This practice has then evolved into something quite different than traditional Christian teachings intended with modern-day festivities often centering around revelry and excessive drinking on what is now known as an international ‘drinking holiday’ by some circles; sadly marking how far St Patricks Day customs have changed – since its origin – to focus more on partying than Christian missional works and worshipping.
Popular Drinks for St. Patrick’s Day
Every year, millions of people around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green and having a few drinks. As the history of St. Patrick’s Day goes back centuries, there are plenty of drinks that are associated with this day.
Whether you’re looking for something non-alcoholic to serve at your St. Patrick’s Day celebration, or you’re searching for the perfect way to toast the holiday, this article can help you find the perfect drinks to have on St. Patrick’s Day.
Irish Whiskey
Irish whiskey is arguably one of the most quintessential drinks for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. In fact, this type of Irish whiskey has a history that is closely tied to the island nation’s Christian religious holiday. Irish Whiskey dates back to the 1600s when it was first used in religious observances and special occasions throughout Ireland. Today, the popularity of Irish Whiskey amongst Irish citizens continues to grow due to its subtle flavors, creamy mouthfeel and clean finish.
It is generally distilled three times in copper pot stills, offering a unique flavor profile compared to other whiskeys from around the world. During the distilling process, unmalted barley grains are added to give it a smooth taste and drinkability profile that can only be found in an Irish whiskey. Some popular brands include Jameson and Tullamore Dew for those who are looking for an iconic St Patrick’s Day tipple
There is no shortage of recipes that make use of this traditional liquor for those wanting to enjoy its unique flavor on St Patrick’s Day—from classic cocktails like Irish Coffees, Paddies Punch and Irish Cream Liqueur-based mixes like Baileys—celebrating with a dram or two will undoubtedly add some magical moments throughout your festive day!
Irish Coffee
Beer is the traditional beverage of St. Patrick’s Day, but Irish coffee has become popular in recent years as well. This hot blend of coffee, Irish whiskey or Bailey’s Irish Cream and lightly whipped cream was first created around 1952 by a chef at Shannon Airport in Ireland. He wanted to give weary travelers something a bit more special than plain coffee to enjoy while they were waiting for their flights.
Irish coffee is a smooth, rich drink that proudly demonstrates the many tastes of Ireland with each sip. The Bailey’s and whiskey add an unmistakable flavor to each cup. Prepare your Irish Coffee with freshly brewed coffee for best results and let the whisky dominated this flavorful drink. Following these steps will get you exactly the perfect cup of Irish Coffee:
1) Fill large glass mug or warm them up beforehand so the chilled ingredients won’t reduce heat upon contact
2) Pour two ounces of Irish Whiskey or Bailey’s in mug
3) Pre-sweeten with two teaspoons of brown sugar
4) Fill mug with freshly brewed strong coffee
5) Lightly whip cream until it forms soft peaks and gentle folds over itself when scooped up on spoon
6) Top off drink with lightly whipped creamish topping
7) Express an orange peel over head drink allowing citrus oils to lightly float down into liquid for added aroma
Irish Cream
Irish cream is a versatile mix of whiskey and Irish dairy, usually served chilled on its own or added to coffee, hot chocolate or mixed drinks. This popular liqueur is famously creamy and has an unmistakable hint of Irish whiskey. The beverage dates to the 1970s, but its roots may be traced back to a variety of traditional drinks from across Ireland.
Though made in a variety of ways, traditional Irish cream is generally based on fresh cream and Irish whiskey. Chocolate, coffee and other flavorings are often added as well. Roadside pubs often keep their own special recipes for this beloved spirit — usually somewhere between sweet, creamy confection and dark, passionately spiced masterpiece.
Beer
Beer has traditionally been the drink of choice on St. Patrick’s Day- more so than any other holiday! Beer originated in Ireland and has been part of the culture since at least 6,000 BC when tools from that era were found to have been used for beer brewing. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations often include an emphasis on Guinness and many pubs serve it ‘straight from the tap’ for a special treat!
To further the festive spirit, bartenders sometimes use green food coloring to make drinks such as a Green Beer or an Irish Car Bomb (a shot of Jameson whiskey dropped into a pint of Guinness). Creating unique craft beers such as stout beer created with Irish Cream ale has also become popular in recent years. And while traditional lagers are popular, beers like ale and wheat are appearing far more often on pub menus during this special day.
There is no shortage of beer types available to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, with many types able to complement different traditional dishes including corned beef cabbage, potatoes and scones. It really just depends on personal preference and what suits your taste buds. Examples of some types of drinks for celebrating on St. Patrick’s Day include:
- Guinness Draught dark Irish stout beer
- Red Ale from Ireland
- Irish Wheat Beer from Ireland
- Jameson Irish whiskey
- Traditional Lagers from countries that produce beer in Ireland, such as England or Belgium
Cider
Cider is a popular drink to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all around the world. Cider has been a part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations for centuries because apples were widely available in Ireland and could easily be transformed into a refreshing, bubbly beverage. Traditional Irish ciders are made by fermenting apples, and in more recent times, more sophisticate versions of cider also exist. Today, various types of hard cider are hugely popular for their slightly sweet, tart flavor profile reminiscent of fresh-pressed apples that has won over many fans around the globe and especially during St. Patrick’s Day festivities!
There are numerous brands producing cider from all natural ingredients like Strongbow to Dry County offering not just cider but hard seltzers as well come in diverse flavors such as Blackberry & Sage or Spicy Pineapple & Coconut Beer with abv ranges from 4% alc/vol to over 6% at times! Some alcoholic ciders serve as aperitif or digestif like what’s found produced by Magner’s company where they can be served either before or after the meal creating the perfect drink pairing any time St. Patrick’s day comes around!
Modern Celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day Drinking
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world as a day of Irish culture and heritage. For many people, drinking is a tradition on this special holiday. Today, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with alcoholic drinks has become a part of the global culture with Guinness beer and Irish whiskey being some of the most popular drinks to have on St. Patrick’s Day.
Let’s take a look at the modern-day celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and the popular drinks associated with it.
Pub Crawls
One of the most popular ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day among adults is what is called a “pub crawl”, or visiting multiple pubs in one night, usually with friends. Pub crawls have their roots in Irish culture, predating modern St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The tradition has its own rituals, such as travelling in groups or teams of friends or family and drinking at multiple bars for a “lucky” number of drinks before returning home.
Although the goal is just to have fun, pub crawls also allow people to enjoy different beers and ales from different establishments without needing a designated driver to take them from place to place – no stretch limousines needed!
Most pub crawls today involve teams or groups of varying sizes enjoying different beers or other beverages along the way — usually no more than two or three drinks per bar — and keeping track of which beers were tried by each team member along the way with either hashtags on social media or digital checklists like smartphones apps (Strailuck specifically). It’s important that everyone participates responsibly and dedicates a designated driver if they don’t want to use public transportation — making sure someone gets home safely is paramount.
No matter what type of celebratory activities you may partake in on St Patrick’s Day, pub crawling can be an excellent experience for anyone old enough to enjoy adult beverages responsibly. As New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said: ‘In New York City we take our Irish heritage very seriously, so it’s important that we all stay responsible this St. Patrick’s Day.’
Home Celebrations
The popularity of St. Patrick’s Day and other similar celebrations has increased in recent years, with many people choosing to stay home and join in the festivities rather than going out, no matter where they are in the world. Home St. Patrick’s Day celebrations often center around a green-theme, where adults dress up and participate in a variety of green-oriented activities such as parades, parties, concerts, as well as beer drinking contests.
Of course, drinking is one of the most popular activities for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at home. Traditional Irish drinks such as Guinness, Smithwick’s Ale and Harp Lager are enjoyed by friends who raise their glasses to honor this special saint of their culture. There are also many modern variations on traditional Irish drinks that can be prepared with minimal effort for the occasion:
-Green beer consists of lager or ale mixed with lime flavoring syrup or green food dye. For a healthier choice, opt for light beers due to their lower calorie content when consumed in moderation
-The midori shamrock is made by combining Midori melon liqueur with sour mix and triple sec
-Irish coffee is a combination of coffee along with Irish whiskey topped off with whipped cream
-A lychee martini adds sweet flavor to the mix through lychee juice mixed together along with vodka or gin
Conclusion
In conclusion, the origins of St. Patrick’s Day drinking are not entirely clear and vary depending on who you talk to and what sources you choose to believe. Some say it has deep roots in Irish culture, where people were encouraged to toast one another with a pint of ale or whiskey to celebrate the day. Other accounts suggest that the practice may have arrived with Irish immigrants from other countries and was a way for them to celebrate their shared heritage with others.
Regardless of its origin, St. Patrick’s Day drinking has become a significant part of festivities worldwide and is celebrated by many as an important expression of national pride and unity.