It's quite a success story how a wave of immigrants -- once described as potato-eating savages by many 19th century folks living in the U.S. at the time -- made it to become an established part of America. By equal parts hard work and corruption, the Irish found their place here and have shaped the nation -- and they've also given us our annual March 17th holiday of St. Pat's. Along with slabs of corned beef and cabbage, green beer, Guinness and parades, most of which have little to do with St. Patrick himself but hey, it's really a spring holiday, not a religious lesson. In terms of tea, the native Irish love their Assam-based brew (and not just at breakfast, even though it's often referred to as Irish Breakfast blend), and of course there's Irish coffee as well. Americanized Irish coffee nowadays is essentially a concoction of coffee, whiskey or Baileys crowned by frothy aerosol-whipped cream and served in small-handled glasses. In reality, however, the drink involves strong coffee, brown sugar, whiskey, and a head of thick, pure, straight cream that creates a top layer to sip the rest of the beverage through.
As someone with a twinkle of Irish heritage, my favorite things about St. Pat's are soda bread with tea and lemon and McDonald's Shamrock Shakes. It's hard to resist the Shamrock Shake's deliciously-colored excess of pale minty green milkshake, white whipped cream and a red maraschino cherry, available only around this time of year -- and when you think of all the calories involved that's probably a good thing. There are recipes a-plenty to make Shamrock Shakes at home, but considering that mega-calorie count it's better to get one for the road and to walk alongside your local St. Patrick's Day parade marchers, sipping thickly through your straw and contemplating how the Irish have truly triumphed from famine to feast.
