by Rhetta Akamatsu

Created on: February 05, 2009   Last Updated: February 06, 2009

This is a really colorful drink, that if done correctly, makes a lovely representation of the Irish flag: green, white, and orange. It is a perfect drink for a St. Patrick's Day celebration or any other occasion that calls for celebrating the Irish. The flavors are not the most compatible to everyone's taste, but they are not bad either, and the effect is worth it.

The green of the Irish flag is said to stand for the Catholics of Ireland, the orange for the Protestants, and the white for the peace between them. An alternative explanation says the the green is for the older Gaelic tradition, the orange for the followers of William of Orange, and the white for a lasting truce between them. This seems very much like wishful thinking, but perhaps if they had spent more time over the years sharing a shot or two of the Irish Flag, that peace would not have been so precarious. Here is how to create your own Irish peace offering.

Ingredients:

1 part green creme de menthe

1 part Bailey's Irish cream

1 part Grand Marnier orange liqueur

You will need a shot glass or a cordial glass. The shot glass is the most commonly used. Adjust the amounts accordingly so that you have three equal layers.

Start with the green creme de menthe. Carefully pour an even layer about a third of the way to the top of your glass.

Then, slowly and carefully pour the Bailey's Irish cream on top, making certain that the two liquids do not mix. Many people pour the liquid over the back of a barspoon at this point, to get the liquids to "float" on to one another.

Do the same with the Grand Marnier orange liqueur, again floating the liqeur over the back of the barspoon.

If you have been properly mindful in your pouring, you now have a beautiful green, white, and orange layered concoction, the Irish Flag.

Slinte!

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