St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just a holiday where we hoist drams of whiskey, pints of stout, and chow down on sharp cheddar cheese and corned beef with various artery-clogging sides. That alone would be all well and good. But there are also parades in pretty much every corner of the country — from small towns to big cities. Some cities even allow open containers of alcoholic beverages during the St. Patrick’s Day parade because, well, people are going to bring them anyway.
If you happen to live in one of these outdoor drinking havens (or if you’re feeling a little sly), you’re going to need something besides green beer to enjoy while you watch float after float of Irish dancers and your local radio DJs dressed as leprechauns slowly motor by. That’s why we asked 10 of our favorite bartenders to tell us what they like to add to their St. Patrick’s Day parade flasks (and it’s not just Irish whiskey).
Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition
Sam Vause, general manager at Brim House in Toledo, Ohio
“This is a tough question. Being in the midwest, St Patrick’s Day is usually celebrated in brisk weather conditions, so I’ll need something to keep me warm. Whatever I choose, I’d like to be able to add it to coffee to stay cozy or just sip on it straight from the flask. Let’s reach for a classic with a twist…Jameson’s Caskmates “Stout Edition.” Jameson produces a smooth amber Irish whiskey then finish the product in used stout beer barrels. The result is a whiskey with rich flavors of coffee and cocoa. Perfect for the occasion.”
Mellow Corn
Stephen “Scuba” Underhill, bar manager at Tipsy Alchemist in Dallas
“What’s my go-to spirit to add to my St. Patrick’s Day parade flask? Mellow Corn Whiskey, if it ain’t broken and does the job, why change it?”
Redemption Rye
Melinda Cooper, bartender at Brasserie by Niche in St. Louis
“Lately I’ve really enjoyed working with Redemption. In fact, my flask is currently about 3/4 full of Redemption Rye.”
Bushmills Irish Whiskey
Daniel Condliffe, bartender at JSix in San Diego
“What’s my favorite spirit to add to my St. Patrick’s Day parade flask? You have to drink Irish whiskey on St. Paddy’s Day. I prefer Bushmills or Red Spot.”
Powers Irish Whiskey
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Casey Lyons, bartender at Pacific Hideaway in Huntington Beach, California
“My parade flask? Powers Irish Whiskey is the treat you keep just for your inner circle. In a trusted vessel. Bright, golden, and bottled sunshine.”
Rittenhouse Rye
Brock Schulte, bar director at The Monarch in Kansas City
“Rittenhouse Rye 100 is the only whiskey I put in a flask, no matter what day it is.”
Green Spot Irish Whiskey
Nick Fogel, beverage director of The Late Late in New York City
“I like to pack a flask with something special to sip on throughout the evening. Green Spot is a pot-stilled Irish whiskey made from malted and un-malted barley and aged in bourbon and sherry casks. It has a subtle sweetness and green apple notes. Have something worth savoring and sharing in your flask, something memorable because if you’re not making memories then you are doing it wrong.”
Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey
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Meredith Barry, beverage manager at Grand Tavern by David Burke in St. Louis
“If you must bring a flask, put something fabulous and special in it. Something that you can’t get anywhere else you are going to. Mine and my father’s favorite: Midleton Very Rare Irish Whisky.”
Bulleit Bourbon with Bailey’s
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Nikki McCutcheon, beverage director at Moxy Times Square Hotel in New York City
“What’s my favorite spirit to add to my St. Patrick’s Day parade flask? Definitely a mix of Bailey’s and Bulleit Bourbon to add to my Iced Coffee throughout the day.”
Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Tyler Zielinski, bartender at Backbar in Hudson, New York
“Since I’m usually drinking Irish whiskey when I’m out, I’ll usually have an alternative option in my flask. If it was the summer, it’d probably be a tequila-like Avion. But, in the colder weather, the chances are high that I’d have some bourbon in there — Woodford Reserve, of course.”
