We all love a good reason to celebrate, and St. Patrick’s Day is definitely one of those holidays we’ve adopted and made our own. Here are our favorite food and drink ideas for hosting a great St. Patty’s Day party.
Drinks
Can you even call it a St. Patrick’s Day party if you don’t start with a great drink selection? Ireland brews three million pints of Guinness daily and 1.8 billion pints – 10 million glasses – of Guinness stout are poured every year. But don’t just stop at Guinness – not only are there other Irish beers, like Smithwick’s, that deserve some space, but you should serve a good Irish whiskey, like Jameson’s. Be sure to offer non-alcoholic options as well. This Irish Rose recipe is always popular: 2 oz lemon juice, 2 oz cherry juice, 6 oz soda water. Garnish with a twist of lemon. Sláinte!
Food
Every party begins with the right menu, and St. Patrick’s Day offers a lot of inspiration. Be sure to have some green food dye on hand, but don’t forget to think about rainbows with pots of gold at the end of them.
Pot of Gold Fruit Tray
Make a fruit tray with strawberries, pineapple, oranges, green apples, blueberries, and purple grapes. At the “end” of your rainbow serve dip. You can find our favorite version here.
Soda Bread with Smoked Salmon
Soda bread is a common Irish staple. Paired with smoked salmon, or even just lathered in butter and jelly, this is a delicious addition to your party fare. Find our favorite recipe here.
Irish Stew
Irish stew is a hearty and delicious option. Serve in mugs and keep it warm in the crockpot. While traditional Irish stew is made with lamb, this Beef and Guinness Irish stew is one the best recipes.
Green Treats
No Irish-themed party would be a success without plenty of green options. Some ideas to consider: taco chips with guacamole dip, pin wheels made with spinach tortillas, and grilled asparagus spears. From green Rice Krispy treats cut into the shape of shamrocks to Irish mint brownies, no party is complete without sweet treats.
For an exhaustive list of food ideas for your St. Patrick’s Day party, check out this collection on Food.com. Irish Central has great list of food and drink pairings for your day.
Do you have a favorite recipe or tradition for St. Patrick’s Day? Share it with us!
