Scottish Country Dance of the Day

Set out your leprechaun traps or hunt forthat lucky four-leaf-clover, St. Patrick's Day is almost upon us! Or, simply prepare for celebrations with a bit of Irish Coffee, a popular drink since its introduction in 19th century coffee houses. Nowadays, the ubiquitous Bailey's Irish Cream, introduced in 1974, provides you easily with all major essentials of an Irish Coffee (alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat) in a single liqueur, along with chocolate, vanilla, and burnt sugar! And although you can make your own version with Scotch, ironically, the term ‘Scotch Coffee’ historically has nothing to do with either whisky or coffee! Scotch Coffee was a recipe drunk in times of hardship when supplies of coffee had run out. It consisted of hot water, milk, sugar and a handful of burnt breadcrumbs. This hardscrabble concoction was concocted from the time coffee was first introduced into the UK, referencing the stereotypical thriftiness of the Scots. Sláinte! ☘️ 🇮🇪 ☕

Happy St. Patrick's day with this namesake jig! The jig is a folk dance form that became popular in Scotland and northern England in the 16th century and in Ireland in the 18th century. The modern term "jig" is believed to be derived from the French giguer, meaning ‘to jump’ or the Italian giga whereas the use of “jig” in Irish dance derives from the Irish jigeánnai, itself borrowed from the Old English giga meaning ‘old dance’. Jigs originally began as a generally improvised dance form performed with rapid footwork while keeping the torso rigid. At the court of Elizabeth I, the Northern jigs were fashionable and appeared as stage dances in compositions by William Byrd, John Bull, and Giles Farnaby. The jig soon spread to France and, in modified form as the gigue, and became the new trend at the court of Louis XIV! Today, the jig dance and musical form is most associated with Irish dance music, Scottish Country Dance and the Métis people in Canada. Originally in duple compound meter (12/8 time), jigs have been adapted to a variety of time signatures, and are often classified into groups, including light jigs, slip jigs, single jigs, double jigs, and treble jigs! Jiggedy-jiggedy and carrots and cabbages! ☘️ 🇮🇪

Shamrocks are everywhere during this season, even in your pint of Guinness! The St Patrick's Day custom of "drowning the shamrock" or "wetting the shamrock" is still popular, especially in Ireland. A shamrock is put into the bottom of a cup, filled with whiskey, beer, or cider, then drunk as a toast to St Patrick, Ireland, and those present. The shamrock may either be swallowed with the drink or taken out and tossed over the shoulder for good luck.