Life

This Is The Best Way To Celebrate St. Paddy's Day

by Marion Bernstein

St. Patrick's Day is associated with a laundry list of traditional drinks. But if you're looking to take a break from tradition this year, try swapping out that annual Irish car bomb for a St. Patrick's Day root beer float (and yes, there's booze included, obviously).

Why a root beer float, you ask? Here's my rationale: If you crave the creamy coolness of Guinness, you'll love this frothy combination of spiked root beer, vanilla ice cream, Irish whiskey, and whipped cream. And how do you create that ever-so-perfect coiffure of booze-infused froth? The trick is in the layering. You don't want to pour the entire bottle of root beer into your mug before adding the ice cream — this will create a Vesuvius-like eruption, and no one's got time for cleaning when there is St. Patrick's Day fun to be had. Instead, make sure you only pour in half of the bottle of root beer to start, then add the ice cream and whiskey, then pour in the remaining root beer. You'll still get that signature layer of luxurious creamy froth, but without all the sticky spillage. Top with a swirl of whipped cream, a festive green straw, a few drops of emerald food coloring, and voilà, your St. Patrick's Day-themed boozy root beer float.

And for the record, I haven't been the only one craving this spirituous throwback lately. Rob Krueger, beverage director of Brooklyn's Extra Fancy, is all about the boozy root beer float. "Boozy root beer floats are best served when you're kicking back with friends during a long weekend," he tells Bustle. "That's when you really get to enjoy the sweet flavors of a favorite pastime drink with a refreshing adult kick."

So this March 17, instead of a traditional Guinness, I'm raising my boozy root beer float-filled glass for a toast to St. Patrick. And if you're looking to do the same, just follow these five simple steps below.

St. Patrick's Day-Themed Boozy Root Beer Float

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle or can of Best Damn Root Beer
  • 1 scoop of your favorite ice cream (I used vanilla)
  • 1 shot of your favorite Irish whiskey (or spiced rum)
  • Whipped cream

Directions:

  1. Pour half of the root beer into an ice cold mug.
  2. Add one scoop of ice cream.
  3. Add one shot of whiskey.
  4. Add the remaining root beer.
  5. Finish with a whipped cream swirl and garnish with your favorite St. Patrick's Day decor.

For more ideas, check out Bustle on YouTube.

Images: Marion Bernstein (3)