Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Getting a good green mixed drink

Posted by Owen Morris on Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 10:01 AM

greendrinkroboppy_thumb_180x270.jpg
Flickr: Roboppy
Whether it's green clothing, green balloons or pets painted green, that's the color people want today. That includes cocktails, though there are only a few green liquors -- creme de menthe, Midori, Chartreuse and absinthe.

Never mind that none of the above are Irish and that only the Chartreuse doesn't use artificial coloring. Since those liquors are green they are going to sell well today and most likely be mixed in some revolting cocktails. The New York Times had an article Friday about why you shouldn't drink green liquors. As an example, it cited a cocktail called the "Everybody's Irish" which mixes Jameson Irish whiskey with creme de menthe and Chartreuse. It only sells big on St. Pat's because the other 364 days of the year people realize it's not a very good mixed drink.

So is there a good green mixed drink to prove The New York Times wrong?

The Web site Cocktailians has one appropriately named the "James Joyce." Like the Everybody's Irish, it's made of Irish whiskey and Chartreuse -- but instead

of adding creme de menthe, the James Joyce adds a splash of sweet

vermouth and a splash of lime juice.

This is a more balanced drink. Instead of the creme de menthe overpowering

every other flavor, the lime and vermouth only hint at a sweet edge to

the Irish whiskey. Add the great name and you have yourself a winning pale

green cocktail.

If that's too much work, just add a little food

coloring to some Irish whiskey. Also useful to

keep in mind today: The main difference between whiskey and Irish

whiskey is not just country of orgin but that regular whiskey is

distilled in a coffey still whereas Irish whiskey is distilled in a pot still. The good Irish whiskeys are entirely pot-stilled.

The recipe for a James Joyce cocktail is:

1-1/2 ounces Irish whiskey.

3/4 ounce sweet vermouth.

3/4 ounce Cointreau.

1/2 ounce fresh lime juice.

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

 

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