Kansas City Food Blog

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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.