Food and Drink Ideas for a Great SouthCoast St. Patrick’s Day Party

Well, at long last, it is St. Patrick's Day week. Folks throughout the New Bedford area will celebrate the wearin' o' the green right through the upcoming weekend since St. Patrick's falls on a Thursday this year – and why not? Sunday is the final day of winter, so there is even more reason to celebrate.

As with all good holiday celebrations, we think about what food and drink can make the occasion extra special. Like Christmas, St. Patrick's Day even comes with its own musical soundtrack. So crank up The Dubliners and Clancy Brothers tunes and get ready to party.

Just remember, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day but usually it's just the Irish wannabes that drink green beer. Most real Irish Americans will reach for a pint or two of Guinness to mark the occasion, but for the non-beer drinkers, there are alternatives.

Delish.com suggests The Nutty Irishman, which uses hazelnut liqueur and Baileys Irish Cream. The Spruce Eats.com has a great Irish Martini recipe that uses Irish whiskey in place of vodka. Insanely Good Recipes.com offers the Tipsy Luck of the Irish Cocktail featuring Irish whiskey and peach schnapps.

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All of that toasting is certain to make a bloke and a colleen hungry so don't forget the traditional corned beef and cabbage done up nicely in a slow cooker. IrishAmericanMom.com offers some dazzling Irish appetizers and party foods including Reuben Topped Irish Nachos.

Don't forget Bridget Daly's (Bridget's-An Irish Tradition) own Guinness Beef Stew recipe.

If all of that isn't enough to make you feel the Irish spirit, there are a whole bunch of St. Patrick's Day parades in the region this weekend just for the craic of it. Of course, the New Bedford Half Marathon is Sunday.

With a few shamrocks and funny leprechaun hats from the Party Store or Christmas Tree Shop and some of the food and drink recipe ideas listed here, even a Portuguese guy from New Bedford or Fall River could pass for Irish this week.

Have a great time but remember to party responsibly.

Erin Go Braugh!