I’m not Irish, however I married a full-blown Irish man, so that makes me what they call “Irish by Marriage”.
What I have found out, through my 11 years of marriage to an Irish man, is that once you are “in” with the Irish, your entire life starts to become very Irish. Green suddenly becomes your favorite color. Gifts for your home start pouring in, many adorned with an Irish saying or shamrocks. When you run down the list of options for kids names, you begin to notice most of them have Irish roots… Kelly, Megan, Molly, Collin, Patrick.
You would think my initiation into the world of the Irish would leave me with an abundance of ideas for a St. Patrick’s Day feast, but it hasn’t. What do the Irish like to eat? From my experience? Ice cream, whiskey and beer. Now you know the secret to why Irish people are always so chipper… it isn’t from the Corned Beef and Cabbage, I can tell you that!
I decided to turn to the Foodily recipe site for a St. Patrick’s Day menu since as much as it would be fun to live off of ice cream, whiskey and beer, some people (non-Irish people, I assure you) may frown upon that. For this St. Patrick’s Day, we are going to feast on:
- Beef and Irish Stout Stew
- Bourbon Carrots
- White Soda Bread
- Irish Potato Salad
- St. Patrick’s Day Grasshopper Ice Cream Cocktails (recipe below)
So, let me tell you a bit about Grasshoppers. I don’t know that this is truly an Irish dessert, but at most occasions within our family, Grasshoppers are somewhere to be found. We most always have a bucket ready to serve in our freezer. The minty flavor of Grasshoppers plus the green tint just make me think of St. Patrick’s Day, so we’re going to go with that.
When I texted my husband at work to get the recipe, I discovered that he doesn’t really have a recipe. He bases it all on the taste and feel of the ice cream, which was a total light bulb moment for me… if he’s tasting the grasshoppers as he makes them, that then explains why he is always so chipper when he’s done making them. I think I want to be on grasshopper making duty next time!
Recipe: St. Patrick’s Day Grasshopper Ice Cream Cocktails
- 5 Quart Plastic Bucket of Vanilla Ice Cream
- 3 shots of Creme de Menthe liquor
- 1 shot of Creme de Cacao liquor
- 1 shot of Irish Whiskey (We prefer Jameson brand)
Place all ingredients in a large bowl. Knead together by using two large ice cream paddles or spoons or use your stand mixer and knead using your bread hook attachment. Once well blended you can either serve or place back in the freezer to re-freeze. If desired, top with whipped cream. (Adjust liquor to taste. For a darker green and stronger mint flavor, add more Creme de Menthe)
I like Irish by marriage – can I be Irish by godparents to my son?!!!
I love this post! 🙂 And I love being Irish….you’re right, it’s not the corned beef & cabbage that keeps Irish Eyes a’Smilin’! 😉
Those look AMAZING!
I am not where close to being Irish – yet love this holiday regardless. My favorite color has always been green, I love March becasue it means that Spring is around the corner, and the 17th equates to enjoying a good beer! happy st. patty’s day!
Oh my. That would go down so smooooooth! 🙂
I love ice cream in anything, but mixed with alcohol… I’m so in. I love mint and chocolate so I’m sure there are to die for!
These sound heavenly!
Mmmmm- I’ve loving the grown-up shake!
I haven’t had a Grasshopper since the 80’s but I remember how much I loved them. Never mind the *green* beer, this is the perfect drink for St. Paddy’s Day. I love your shamrock dish that you photographed the Grasshoppers in.
Oh I love Grasshoppers!! I’ve never seen them made with ice cream though.
Then again, most cocktails aren’t made the way they should be in shady bars in downtown Juarez, Mexico. 😉
My husband’s family is Irish and we’re all getting together for St. Patrick’s Day. They would be so happy if I made this cocktail.
I’m seeing a theme here: Beef and Irish Stout Stew, Bourbon Carrots, Grasshopper Ice Cream Cocktails – you’re right hard to be in a bad mood after all that booze 😀 Have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day celebration Kristen!
Seriously that sounds so delicious!
Oh my gosh those sound good!!
They are Great! I’m not Irish, unless you can say Irish mother-in-law by marriage, but I LOVE Nick’s Grasshopper cocktails!
I just love the color in this drink. I would probably have way too many of these. Yipes!
My favorite blog post ever. This has always been a family favorite. I love you. 🙂
Great post. Can’t take the corned beef and cabbage but I do love the green drink!
Well I only came to see the Husband and his comment. First…it’s about time and second…awww.
I don’t know…I think you need that Irish Coffee cake I made on your list. Cause it’s not just coffee you know….there might me some Jameson Irish Whiskey in there; just a wee bit.
Well it sounds like your hubs knows what he is talking about when it comes to this ice creamy treat! I would love some of this for St. Patties day – way over green beer 🙂 xo
Yum, I’ve never had anything like this! Sweet comment by your husband.
How adorable is that?! I think I’m gonna start having my hubby make them now, LOL. How sweet though…I think maybe you two should have a drink for 2 and skip the family celebration 😉
My parents don’t drink much, but I remember when I was young, Mom would order one of these for dessert once in awhile. And she’d let me have a sip. Ohhhhh, yum!
Seriously DELICIOUS!!!………and I’m in love with that pink polka dot straw!!
You can become Irish by marriage, or you can become Irish by moving to Boston, which is what I did. Either way, ice cream and booze is a winning combination.
Now this cocktail sounds right up my alley and it’s so pretty!
That sounds yummy. and what a cute straw! 🙂
I actually look forward to a big pot of corn beef and cabbage simmering on the stove once a year. But something tells me I’m REALLY going to look forward to one of these cocktails, too! 😉
Well, it’s not Irish. But it is tasty 🙂
yum! 🙂
Great story about your married-into Irish background, Kristen! What a wonderful and fun St. Patrick’s Day dessert!
That sounds like a great recipe. I think I might have to try in memory of my Grandpa who passed away four years ago. I think he would be proud.
Love, love Grasshoppers! One of my very favorite special drinks and I didn’t know how to make them. Thank you for sharing.
I am Sicilian By Marriage! I may be turning into my husbands little Sicilian Grandma! Ha!
I publish an online women’s magazine, called Mermaids of the Lake. (also a blog of the same name) We have a recipe section on our e-zine and I would love to use feature this recipe with a link to you. Please let me know if I can…
LOVE this. It reminds me of the first time (and last) that I snuck a sip of my mom’s grasshopper drink. BTW, I am so honored to be in this month’s YUM Food & Fun for Kids next to your recipes and photos. 🙂
I’m not Irish or have any relation to the Irish, but this sounds like nom nom nom 🙂
I might just have to try one…
I could so go for one of these now! They look awesome! Thanks!
I could totally down about 2 of those glasses right now :).
Oh, this looks delightful!! I might have to make this for a little St. Patrick’s Day treat for my fiance. We need to celebrate in some way, right?! I love this!
I really like that creamy cocktail. And thanks for this recipe
Thanks for the other Irish links, too! My father is first generation Canadian from Irish decent, yet I have learned nothing of the cuisine throughout my life. I am trying to learn.
I have been neck deep in the throws of planning a local food conference here within slow food and have not posted for three weeks. Important work. Time well spent: BUT…I have not read, written, cooked and I miss my life and reading great posts like this!
I am catching up slowly!
🙂
Valerie
Ummm, I’m going to have to try one of those when we get back home! Miss you guys already!
Did not appreciate you comment on what the Irish like to eat. I love ice cream NEVER touch whiskey or beer and I am 100% Irish. Why perpetuate the myth of drinking? I think it is beneath you.
Thanks for your comment. Patty. It wasn’t my intention to offend you. My comment was a broad generalization, but based on my experience (and written tongue in cheek, as I assure you I know my Irish family likes more than just beer, whiskey and ice cream).
I could use one or two of these today. What time can I come over?
With my last name (Callahan) I should get to drink these all year round 🙂
I went on a grasshopper binge a few years ago and literally drank them for dessert every single time we went out to dinner…oh how I need these in my life again! Love them!
Sitting here at my keyboard I could really go for one of these!! I AM Irish and I DO drink beer (Guinness!!) and drink Whisky but must admit, have never had a Grasshopper – I think though that it’s high time I tried it!!
Didja know … St Patrick was actually English?
i think he was polish lived in england and went to ireland .
I’m not Irish but there’s no arguing with ice cream, mint and alcohol. Winner!! Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Yum, this sounds absolutely amazing! Another one of my favorites on St. Patricks day that is a green color AND includes Whiskey (perfect right?) is TY KU’s Irish Happy Ending
2 oz TY KU Liqueur
1 oz Irish Whiskey
On the Rocks. Enjoy!
My mother is Irish by Marriage & would agree wholeheartedly with your post! Love your grasshopper ice cream cocktail…Mr. Food has a great recipe for Irish Milk Shakes:
http://www.mrfoodblog.com/dig-in-to-st-patricks-day-desserts/
Let me know what you think!
Thanks,
Sarah at Mr. Food
You had me at cocktail. I always love your beautiful photographs!
These look incredibly delicious Kristen!
Thanks for linking up to I’m Lovin It! I featured your post in my wrap up! http://tidymom.net/2012/st-patricks-day-recipes/
Have a great weekend!
Thanks for the feature love 🙂
I can’t believe Nick’s grasshoppers only have one shot of Jameson’s, but whatever, they are delicious!!!
Oh wow, I love this recipe. SO YUM.