DIY Life

Green beer is a St. Patrick's day tradition in many homes, restaurants, and pubs. You don't need to be a chemist to mix this celebratory drink. All you need is beer and food coloring. Simply add food coloring to your favorite beer, mix it up and enjoy.

The beer
Choose a lighter beer, one that will take the color easily. If your favorite beer is of the darker variety, it will take more coloring.

The color
It was suggested by a commenter on Slashfood, where we were reminded of this cool St. Patrick's day tradition, that blue food coloring works best; by mixing it with the yellow beer, you should achieve a true green color. I tried both blue and green food coloring. Take a look through the gallery and decide which one you think worked best.

For the purists among us who don't want to tamper with good beer, enjoy a Guinness. If you're in the St. Patrick's day spirit, but aren't really a beer drinker, follow me through the break and I'll share some other green cocktails along with a few non-alcoholic ones.


If you're not into green beer, but want to sip on a festive drink this St.Patrick's day, check out some of these other recipes:

• Emerald Isle
  Make a minty green martini with creme de menthe instead of vermouth.
  
• Green Mist
  This fruity cocktail mixes banana liquor, creme de menthe, brandy, and ginger ale.
  
  
• Green Goblin
  Served with a lime wedge, this sweet and sour drink will spread the St.Pattie's day spirit.
  
  
• Zen Master
  This original and refreshing cocktail is made of green tea liquor and cucumber.
  
  
• Green Apple martini
  Vodka and green apple schnapps. My personal favorite.

Now, for those of you who are not drinking this St. Patrick's day, but still want to join in on the festivities, here are a few non-alcoholic recipes:

• Green Grape Glacier
  White grape juice, sparkling water and fresh green grapes. Serve this one ice cold.
  
  
• Mattoni Secret
  This recipe uses some more unusual ingredients, but it is sure to keep your friends guessing and asking for more.
  
  
• The Director
  Coconut and lime come together to make this a fresh, sweet creation.

Share some of your favorite St.Patrick's day drinks in the comments. I'll leave you with this St. Patrick's day toast:

Here's to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one
A pretty girl and an honest one
A cold beer – and another one!