How are you celebrating Saint Pat’ this year?

In addition to attending the traditional parade and dressing your best green apparel, and maybe making some special green shamrock cookies, this year you may surprise your guests with green beer. Yes, you don’t have to visit one of Boston’s best known Irish pubs to get green beer…

You can serve your very own mixture of green beer at home. It is very easy to mix, it glows with a festive hue, and best of all, coloring the beer green does not change it's natural flavor.

Actually, this is not a new idea. The story tells us that back around 1914, a doctor named Thomas H. Curtin made the green beer for a party at his New York clubhouse, and ever since, it has been successfully tried and enjoyed in many parties, many places and many pubs, being especially fun as another way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.

Giving the beer a beautiful emerald hue is extremely easy and only takes a few minutes; also, it only requires 2 ingredients: Your favorite brand of Irish light-colored beer, and food coloring. The lighter color the beer, the easier you will obtain your favorite green hue.

Start with an empty pint glass, add a couple drops of green food coloring, then pour the selected light-color beer and gently stir. You may add more food-coloring one drop at a time, if you wish, until you reach the desired color. Don’t forget a special toast to honor Dr. Thomas H. Curtin.

Have a Happy Saint Patrick’s Day !!!