Hit Liquid Gold This St. Patrick's Day

Allow some of the hospitality industry’s best offer their twists on St Patrick’s Day libations you can create at home! On the heels of winning Food Network’s 2016 Christmas Cookie Challenge, pastry chef Brittani Szczecina at Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Resort & Spa has turned her attention to yet another holiday with this smooth, sophisticated St. Patrick’s Day treat.
Bailey’s Irish Cream Panna Cotta
  
·        4 cups heavy cream
·        ½ cup sugar
·        6 gelatin sheets
·        4 oz. Baileys Original Irish Cream
·        Pinch of salt
Bloom gelatin in ice water for five minutes or until soft. Remove from ice water and squeeze; set aside on a dry towel. Bring the remaining ingredients to a simmer and stir in the gelatin. Pour into desired glasses and let set in the fridge for at least two hours. Garnish with your favorite toppings: crushed chocolate cookies, chocolate sauce, St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles, or even a mini cupcake. Get creative!

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Legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. True or not, Ireland’s favorite three-leafed clover is the inspiration behind this cocktail with three distinct spirits from lead mixologist Zachary Blair at KANU, Whiteface Lodge
Trinity
·        2.5 oz. Irish whiskey (Westbrook)
·        1 oz. elderflower liqueur
·        1 oz. sweet vermouth
·        .25 oz. lime juice
Combine all ingredients in a glass with ice, stir, and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lime twist.

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For fans of the “Black Stuff,” this Guinness-infused cocktail from Eddie Garcia, lead mixologist and manager, jade bar, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa is genius in a glass.
Luck of the Irish
·        2 oz. Redbreast whiskey
·        ¾ oz. Guinness simple syrup (see recipe)
·        ¾ oz. lemon juice
·        ½ oz. apple juice
Make Guinness simple syrup: Heat 16 oz. Guinness in pan and cook down to 8 oz.; add 8 oz. raw sugar and stir to dissolve. Set aside to cool.
Combine ¾ oz. of the Guinness simple syrup and all other ingredients in a shaker. Shake and pour into a stemmed cocktail glass.

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Last but not least, James Kruecher, director of food & beverage, McCoy’s Oceanfront, Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, gives us this gemstone of a cocktail – no blarney! 
Emerald Martini
·        2 oz Absolut Lime
·        ½ oz Sour Apple Pucker
·        ½ oz St-Germain elderflower liqueur
·        ½ oz lime juice, fresh squeezed
·        Dash of house-made orange bitters
Combine all in a mixing glass and top with ice, shake 20 times vigorously, and double strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime twist.
Now raise those glasses - “Sláinte!”

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