IRISH MULE RECIPE

I’m old.  The thought of heading out to a parade or to the bars on St. Patrick’s Day makes me anxious and sleepy at the same time.  Plus, I don’t think my mid-thirties system could handle dyed green beer like it used to.  This lady would rather stay in with a nice Irish cocktail and a good book.  Moscow Mules have been trendy for the past year, so I thought I would share a version of the drink that is suited for St. Patrick’s Day.  This Irish Mule is a great way for us homebodies to celebrate the holiday.

Irish mules are made like Moscow Mules, except you swap the vodka for Irish whiskey.  Jameson is the classic, but you can substitute in your favorite brand.  Now, you can use whatever fancy ginger beer you would like, but here in Michigan it’s Vernors or get outta town.  You will also need fresh limes (which finally are a reasonable price again) and ice.  I have been loving these large ice cubes meant for Scotch (affiliate link) because they cool your beverage down efficiently without watering it down.  But use what you got.

Begin by pouring 2 ounces of Irish whiskey over the ice you’ve place in your copper mug.  The copper will get cold FAST, so your drink stays nice and chilly.

Add in 3 ounces of ginger ale (or ginger beer), and squeeze in the juice of half of a lime.  Watch out for that fizz though, Vernors has some serious carbonation.  Garnish the mug by placing a slice of fresh lime on the rim.

Once you have your cocktail mixed, you are ready to settle in with some Irish literature.  No, not James Joyce, we’re not masochists here, but if you have never read anything by Frank McCourt, now is the time.  

I don’t normally read books as heart-wrenching as Angela’s Ashes or ‘Tis; I spend too much time trying to keep my emotions in check to voluntarily read something as racking as these books.  In order for me to read (let alone recommend) a legitimately sad book, it has to A) have a story worth telling and B) have writing worth reading.  McCourt’s work has plenty of both.  If you want to start with one of his books that is slightly less emotionally devastating, try “Teacher Man.”  It’s wonderful.

What are your plans for St. Patrick’s Day?  Are you the green beer and plastic beads type of person?  Or are you the whiskey and a good book type?

You might also like these cocktail recipes:

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ARNOLD PALMER-TINI