Romeo Merino Saint Patty's Day Guide: Our Favorite Cocktails & Recipes

It’s almost that time of the year when four-leaf clovers, green beer galore, and one of the year’s most fun and festive holidays take center stage. In honor of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s most celebrated and honored patron saint, the 17th of March always brings the spirit of the Irish, and the excitement and activities surrounding it are pure gold. Get ready to don your green gear, because this year Saint Patty’s Day we’ve put together a guide for our favorite libations and foods in honor of the holiday:

The Classic Irish Coffee

Yes, green beer is a Saint Patty’s Day staple, but the classic Irish Coffee is a great accompaniment (or nightcap)  for something a little on the sophisticated side. Rumored to be first created by Joe Sheridan in 1942, the legend goes that Mr. Sheridan was a chef at Foynes Port, an airbase for transatlantic flights that was a stopover for longer flights to refuel. Due to weather conditions, passengers would have to stay for the night and a restaurant was created to cater to these passengers, who were often Hollywood legends and politicians. One night, Mr. Sheridan wanted to create something for the cold, tired passengers, and the first Irish coffee was born. The perfect blend of rich coffee and smooth Irish whiskey, it’s a drink that combines two of our favorite vices, caffeine and whiskey. 

Recipe

  • 4-ounces of rich, fresh-brewed coffee 
  • 1.5-ounce ​Irish whiskey
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1-ounce heavy cream (lightly whipped)
  • Place the sugar into a warmed glass. Add the hot coffee and stir until dissolved. Add the Irish whiskey and stir again. Float the lightly whipped heavy cream on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon.
Romeo Merino Saint Patty's Day Guide: Our Favorite Cocktails & Recipes

Irish Whiskey Sangria

Brandy is often added to classic sangrias, so we figured Irish whiskey would be an unexpected and tasty twist that’s perfect for the holiday. Fitting for springtime, crisp and refreshing fresh fruits, white wine, and a splash of effervescent soda water makes this the perfect choice for day drinking while green-hued fruits and fresh mint give it a splash of green color.  

Recipe: 

  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 2 oz Irish whiskey
  • 1 green apple, thinly sliced
  • 1 peach, thinly sliced
  • 1 kiwi, thinly sliced
  • Large handful of fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 bottle of dry white wine
  • 12 oz soda water

Mix the sugar, whiskey, and a quarter of the bottle of wine in a pitcher Wior jug and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add peach, apple, kiwi, and fresh mint and top with the remaining wine. Chill at least one hour. When ready to serve, top with the sparkling soda and add the fruits and mint into glasses for individual servings. 

Romeo Merino Saint Patty's Day Guide: Our Favorite Cocktails & Recipes

Soft Beer Pretzels & Cheese Sauce

Is there any brew more synonymous with Ireland than Guinness? Considered by many as a national icon, the delicious, rich stout was first brewed in Dublin in the mid-eighteenth century and has since become the globe’s most famous stout. We’ve paired the rich malty taste brew with salty, cheesy flavors for the ultimate Saint Patrick’s Day snack. And if you’ve been missing your favorite pubs and Irish dive bars as much as we have, then these addictive treats are just what you need. 

Recipe:

For the Pretzels:

  • 2.5 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons of yeast
  • 1 cup Guinness beer
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
  • 10 cups water
  • ¼ cup baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter 

Mix the flour, sugar, and yeast until combined. Heat Guinness to 120°F (or temperature listed on your brand of yeast) to the flour, sugar, and yeast. Add salt and 1 tablespoon of softened butter and mix until the dough comes together. Transfer mixture to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and allow to rise (mixture should double in size). Preheat the oven to 450°F. Cut the dough into eight portions and roll into a pretzel shape. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add baking soda. Quickly boil the pretzels (about 30 seconds each) and then place the quick-boiled pretzels onto a baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Bake 10-12 minutes. 

For the Cheese Sauce

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup of Guinness
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3 teaspoons dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (shredded)

In a medium-sized saucepan, create a roux by heating two tablespoons of unsalted butter and then adding 3 tablespoons of flour. Add Guinness and stir. Add dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Once the sauce has thickened to the point that it coats the back of a wooden spoon, add the shredded cheese and stir until melted completely. Serve immediately.

Romeo Merino Saint Patty's Day Guide: Our Favorite Cocktails & Recipes

Corned Beef & Cabbage Sliders

Put a fun and festive twist on the classic Irish dish by turning it into perfect little party food bites. Featuring two of the Emerald Isle’s most famous staples, these sandwiches will have everyone grabbing for seconds, thirds, and fourths….

*Recipe courtesy of Delish.com

Recipe: 

  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 head cabbage, cut into small wedges
  • 1 bottle Guinness (or other beer)
  • 8 ciabatta rolls (or potato rolls)
  • 1 jar dijon mustard
  • 1 lb. corned beef

Preheat the oven to 350°F. As it heats, place a skillet on medium-high heat to warm. Add olive oil and sear the cabbage wedges on both sides (about 1 minute each). Place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet. Place the cabbage wedges on the cooling rack, then pour the Guinness through the holes of the cooling rack so it fills the bottom of the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook cabbage for 20 minutes, until the edges have browned slightly. Assemble the sandwiches: Slice the ciabatta rolls in half. Spread dijon mustard on one side, top with slices of corned beef and cabbage. Serve.

Avoid getting pinched by donning your green. Shop our selection of green shades (Olive, Green Gables, Hunter Green, and Military Green) at RomeoMerino.com. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to get exclusive perks, offers, and first looks at our latest offerings.

Romeo Merino Saint Patty's Day Guide: Our Favorite Cocktails & Recipes