Brilliant Green Drinks for St. Patrick’s Day
Three perfect beverages for breakfast, lunch and later.
On St. Patrick’s Day, you need to have a drink in at least one hand. Just be sure to pace yourself, so you’re not that person talking way too loudly at the 3 p.m. parade. Here are three drink suggestions to help you celebrate (and get you through) March 17. May you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold, and at the end of your rainbows, may you find a pot of gold.
Breakfast
Top o’ the morning
We’ve all read about the health benefits of green tea. Did you know matcha powdered green tea has 137 times more antioxidants than regularly brewed green tea? One serving of matcha tea is the nutritional equivalent of 10 cups of regularly brewed green tea. Save yourself 10 trips to the bathroom by starting your St. Patrick’s Day with this ultra-healthy citrus-honey brew. May the road rise up to meet you!
LOCAL LIFE TEST KITCHEN
Citrus-Honey Matcha Green Tea
Ingredients
1 (2 inch) piece lemon zest, cut into thin slivers
2 teaspoons boiling water
2 teaspoons matcha green tea powder
3/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
Directions
[1] Put lemon zest into a large cup or mug. Cover with 2 teaspoons boiling water and let steep for about 3 minutes. [2] Stir in the green tea powder and hot water. [3] Add the grapefruit juice, lemon juice and honey. Mix well and serve.
Lunch
Good day, sir
Green juices are the rock stars of the health world, condensing several servings of fruit, vegetables, and other superfoods into a single, easy-to-consume drink. Because so much is packed into one drink, green juices are incredibly nutrient-dense and have an impressive list of health benefits. Here is a great-tasting, great-for-you green juice from the smooth operators at Healthy Habit. Sláinte!
The Hulk
Ingredients
2 ounces spinach (handful)
2 ounces kale (handful)
4 bananas
1/2 ounce organic agave
1 1/2 ounces organic all natural almond butter
8 ounces almond milk
Directions
Combine all ingredients and blend in a blender until smooth. Pour into your favorite glass and enjoy!
Later
Dublin your vision
Craft distillers are leading the way in sustainable practices and respect for ingredients. The botanicals in St. George Terroir gin honors local vegetation and features Northern California’s Douglas Fir. This influence inspired the makers of Midori to reformulate their artificial, electric neon-green melon liqueur with natural flavors and colors. But, in what is perhaps the granddaddy of verdant responsibility, Chartreuse is still made by French Monks from an ancient recipe finalized in 1764 (and at any time is known by only two monks). Celebrate these green spirits with this wonderful concoction. Tóg go bog é!
The Green-Eyed Monster
Ingredients
2 ounces botanical gin (like St. George Terroir)
1 1/2 ounces Green Chartreuse
1 ounce Midori
3/4 ounce strained lime juice
1 tablespoon absinthe (or pastis)
Directions
[1] Add the gin, Chartreuse, Midori and lime juice to a shaker with ice. [2] Rinse a chilled cocktail glass with the absinthe. [3] Shake the drink well and pour into the glass. Express a big slice of lime peel and add to the glass.
— From spirit specialist Terry Cermak
