“Sláinte” is the closest term to use to toast “cheers” in Irish Gaelic. It is pronounced slawn-cha and translates literally to “health”. It is mid-March, we’re adjusting to an hour lost to Daylight Savings time, longing for the end of cold & rainy weather and preparing to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. So, I’m thinking we could all use a toast to good health!

While drinking green beer is part of the American way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, I never developed a taste for beer. I celebrate our Irish heritage with soda bread, beef stew or a salmon dish, and some Irish Whiskey. In my younger days, my drink of choice was “7 & 7”, Seagrams 7 Crown Blended Whiskey and 7-Up. As my palate matured, I would choose ginger ale over 7-Up. I made the transition to Irish Whiskey after touring the Old Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. That was during a wonderful trip to the Emerald Isle that I took with my two sisters, my mother & my daughter, 16 years ago. On St. Patrick’s Day, I reminisce on our tour of the island by going through my scrapbook album of pictures from the trip with an Irish Whiskey drink in hand. Below is this year’s celebratory cocktail. The zing in this cocktail comes from the muddled ginger slices!

Irish Zinger Cocktail

Irish Zinger Cocktail (adapted from foodandwine.com)   Makes 1 drink

Ingredients:

• 4 thin slices fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoon apricot jam
• 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 4 ounces Irish whiskey
• 1 ounce Cointreau or Grand Marnier
• 1 lemon twist for garnish

Directions:

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the ginger with the jam and lemon juice.

Start by muddling the ginger with the jam & lemon juice.

Add ice to the shaker, then the whiskey and orange liqueur. Shake well. Strain into an ice-filled tumbler and garnish with the lemon twist, if desired.

I call this an Irish Zinger!

Sláinte & Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  ~Linda

Irish Zinger Cocktail (adapted from foodandwine.com)   Makes 1 drink

Ingredients:

• 4 thin slices fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoon apricot jam
• 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 4 ounces Irish whiskey
• 1 ounce Cointreau or Grand Marnier
• 1 lemon twist for garnish

Directions:

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the ginger with the jam and lemon juice. Add ice to the shaker, then the whiskey and orange liqueur. Shake well. Strain into an ice-filled tumbler and garnish with the lemon twist, if desired.