Scottish Country Dance of the Day

Bailey's Irish Cream

St. Patrick's Season

Irish Coffee (coffee, cream, sugar, and spirits) became popular in the 19th century coffee houses. Today, Bailey's Irish Cream, introduced in 1974, can provide you with all of these components (with the addition of chocolate, vanilla, and burnt sugar)! As is the case with milk, Bailey's Irish Cream will curdle whenever it comes into contact with a weak acid. However, some cocktails call for just that! The Cement Mixer, a shot of Bailey's mixed with lime juice, is sometimes on the list of worst ever cocktails. The drink is traditionally ingested by taking the shot of Bailey's, holding it in the mouth, then sipping the lime juice and mixing both liquids either by swirling them around in the mouth or shaking the head. Who knew? Curdled or not, Sláinte!

St Patrick's Day Jig

St. Patrick's Day

Today, the jig dance and musical form is most associated with Irish dance music, Scottish Country Dance and the Métis people in Canada. Jigs were originally in duple compound meter, (e.g., 12/8 time), but have been adapted to a variety of time signatures, by which they are often classified into groups, including light jigs, slip jigs, single jigs, double jigs, and treble jigs!

The Shamrock Girl

St. Patrick's Day

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.