Saintly Elixirs for St. Patrick’s Day
Ireland is a land of lush green fields, rolling hills dotted with wooly sheep, books of poignant poetry, and an ever-growing abundance of tea drinkers. This beautiful country has a strong tea culture, with a daily consumption of 5-6 cups of robust tea per person each day. It is ranked second in the world for tea consumption.
Tea is not just a drink, it is a way of life in Ireland; everyone is having tea! Tea is used as a form of etiquette. It's customary to even offer a cup of tea to handymen, landscapers, and anyone who comes to the home. Some even have special mugs for when industry workers visit.
Just like tea and poetry are a way of life, so is honoring prominent figures in history. One well-known figure is someone the world celebrates every March 17: Saint Patrick. We associate Saint Patrick’s Day with Ireland and celebrate the day with many green-colored foods and beverages.
In the Catholic faith, Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Not a myth, he was a real person who was born in the fifth century, at the end of Roman rule in Britain, and went on to live a fascinating life. His family served in the church and ran an estate. We all know that the teenage years can be a particularly rough time and Patrick’s were especially hard. At the age of 16, the young Patrick was taken prisoner by Irish raiders. During his captivity, he wrote Confessio, a spiritual autobiography. After a six-year imprisonment of shepherding farm life, Patrick escaped his captors.
He was summoned back to Ireland by a dream and his faith. So, he returned to Ireland where he spread his message of his faith among the people. He used the three-leafed shamrock, a type of clover, as a teaching tool, which has become a well-known symbol of Ireland. One of the greatest legends we associate with Saint Patrick is the story of how he drove the snakes out of Ireland. Patrick passed away on March 17, 461 AD. After his canonization as a saint, this date became a feast day and a national holiday in Ireland, where the celebrations tend to be much more reserved than elsewhere in the world.
Here in America, we also love to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day by indulging in green-colored everything — from wearing green clothing to eating green foods and drinking green beverages. We have lavish parades and celebrations. Even the city of Chicago dyes the Chicago River green on this day!
In the spirit of Saint Patrick's Day, we have curated some amazing mocktail recipes that will have you glowing with health and the luck of the Irish!
Jade Lemonade
Be transported to the Emerald Isle with this refreshing and vibrant green lemonade.
Makes 1 serving.
Ingredients:
- 5 grams of TJ91: Premium Matcha Organic
- 8 oz. fresh lemonade
- 1 cup ice cubes
- Lemon slices for garnish
Place all ingredients (sans garnish) in a shaker and shake until smooth. Pour into your favorite tall glass and garnish with a slice of lemon. Enjoy!
Coconut Matcha Cooler
The perfect start to spring, this green drink is minty, cool, and light. Great for sipping on a warm day!
Makes 1 serving.
Ingredients:
- 5 grams of TJ91: Premium Matcha Organic
- 8 oz. coconut water
- Juice of ½ lime
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 2 tbsp. fresh mint leaves (reserve some leaves for garnish)
Crush (muddle) the mint leaves and place in a shaker. Add all remaining ingredients and shake until smooth. Pour into a tall glass, garnish with your reserved mint leaves, and enjoy!
Green Ginger Brew
This bright green non-alcoholic beverage is an impeccable accompaniment to any Saint Patrick’s Day celebration!
Makes 1 serving.
Ingredients:
- 5 grams of TJ91: Premium Matcha Organic
- 3 oz. BH18: Lemon-Ginger Blend Organic
- ½ oz. fresh lemon juice (save some wedges for garnish)
- 2 oz. ginger beer
- 1 tsp. HONEY3: Tupelo Honey
Place all ingredients in a shaker and shake until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a lemon wedge.
All these fantastic recipes may be enjoyed solo or with friends and family; simply increase the recipe by the number of guests you intend to serve.
As the Irish would say: Sláinte! Sláinte (“slawn-che”) is the Gaelic word for health, the perfect way to toast one's health. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day from Upton Tea Imports!