My dad’s mother was 100% Irish, so I suppose I am entitled to officially celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (even though they say that everyone’s a little bit Irish today).   Truth be told, this Irish “holiday” isn’t really significant to me.  I don’t care for corned beef and cabbage, much to my husband’s chagrin.  I don’t drink beer, especially not green beer.  And I don’t need an excuse to go out and get completely blotto- that ship has sailed.  So to me, St. Patrick’s Day is just another ho-hum day in March.

But there IS one aspect about the day that I enjoy- the color GREEN.  It’s my favorite color to wear since it brings out the green in my hazel eyes.  I’m no fashionista, but I do recognize that green is one of the better shades in my wardrobe.  Sad as that wardrobe may be. (I rarely shop anywhere besides Kohl’s and T.J. Maxx).

So since we have already determined that we’re NOT drinking green beer, I have come up with a very tasty green cocktail for today.  It’s got a couple kinds of rums and pineapple juice in it, which will most definitely get you in the mood for warmer days.  And it will match whatever outfit I happen to be wearing on March 17^th.  Behold the Happy Leprechaun!

I had seen a few green drink recipes on Pinterest and I wanted to create one of my own.  But I was stuck for a name until I hosted a small get together for my Thirsty Gal pals this past Saturday night.  I told them what the drink would consist of and asked for name suggestions.  My friend Heidi instantly blurted out “the Happy Leprechaun!”  We all agreed it was perfect.

Happy Leprechaun

2 oz mango (or other fruity) rum

1 oz coconut rum

1/2 oz blue curacao

5-6 oz pineapple juice

Pour all ingredients into a glass with ice and enjoy.

To paraphrase an Irish saying, May the road rise up to meet you, unless you’re passed out in a ditch from drinking too many Happy Leprechauns, in which case, you’ve already met.