Irish Mule
Fans of the Moscow mule will enjoy this fun twist on a classic drink at Bar 101 Eats & Drinks. Jameson Irish whiskey and lime meet Bundaberg ginger beer in this spirited cocktail. The ginger beer is a welcome hit of sweetness and a nice accompaniment to the spicy, nutty Jameson. Oh, and it’s served in a copper mug just as you’d hoped for. Cheers!
101 Main Street, Roseville, 916-774-0505, bar101roseville.com

Fish and Chips
Although corned beef is a St. Patrick’s Day must-have, fish and chips also have a seat at the feasting table. The Independent Restaurant and Bar offers juicy, flaky pieces of cod which are breaded in a tempura batter that’s made better with hard cider. House-made slaw and a creamy garlic remoulade are served alongside the hot and crispy fish. You’ll also get your choice of “chips” i.e. potato fries or turnip fries to round out the dish.
629 Main Street, Placerville, 530-344-7645, independentplacerville.com

STYLE Magazine Blackthorn
This take on an Irish Blackthorn is for our readers to make in the comfort of their own homes! Grab a shaker with ice and add an ounce of Wheel House Absinthe Verte from Gold River Distillery along with two ounces of any Irish whiskey you like. Then, add two dashes of Angostura Bitters (available at any liquor store), a quarter-ounce of dry vermouth, and shake. Strain into a glass with ice or a champagne flute—depending on how fancy you’re feeling! Tasting notes of black licorice, earthy olives, and malty sweet oak with a smooth, warm finish await you.
11460 Sunrise Gold Circle, Suite C, Rancho Cordova, 916-476-3868, goldriverdistillery.com

Goldminer Reuben
Corned beef that’s smoked in-house with hickory chips is the real star of the show at 36 Handles Public House. The succulent meat is sliced thin and topped with your choice of Swiss or provolone cheese, sauerkraut, plus a creamy Russian dressing. It’s all piled high on grilled marble rye and comes with your choice of salad or house-cut fries. If you work up a thirst, a blonde wheat or amber ale will create a perfect pairing with your sandwich.
1010 White Rock Road, Suite 100, El Dorado Hills, 916-941-3606, 36handles.com

Irish Coffee
Warm up instantly with this quintessential Irish drink at C. Knight’s Steakhouse that starts with a special Louis the XIV French Roast from nearby Tea Xotics. Smoky, rich, and surprisingly smooth as far as French roasts go, the coffee gets a healthy splash of Bushmills Irish whiskey—a more mellow-tasting spirit that doesn’t overpower the coffee. This pick-me-up is then topped off with freshly whipped cream for extra flair.
2085 Vine Street, Suite 101, El Dorado Hills, 916-235-1730, cknightssteakhouse.com

Irish Reuben Fries
Fancy the taste of a Reuben but have a serious hankering for fries? The offering at The Boxing Donkey is the perfect marriage between the two. House-made corned beef is enhanced by Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing, and sits atop a generous bed of French fries. Tater tots can be used in place of fries or you can even make them “Irish nachos” by subbing in kettle chips.
300 Lincoln Street, Roseville, 916-797-3665, theboxingdonkey.com

Cottage Pie
This comforting dish is similar to shepherd’s pie, but is made with beef instead of lamb. Familiar players such as thyme, rosemary, peas, carrots, onions, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste make up the base, but The Monk’s Cellar sets their recipe apart with a secret weapon: corned beef au jus that’s made in-house. The merry mixture gets topped with fluffy, whipped potatoes and hits the broiler so that everything is nice and golden brown before arriving at your table.
240 Vernon Street, Roseville, 916-786-6665, monkscellar.com

Adult Beer Float
When you can’t decide between a nice, frosty beer and a deliciously creamy dessert, have the best of both worlds with an adult beer float from Wally’s Pizza Bar. Belching Beaver Peanut Butter Milk Nitro Stout is poured over two scoops of vanilla bean ice cream. An extra delicious dose of sweetness is added to the top with caramel and chocolate drizzles, whipped cream, and cinnamon sugar buñuelos (thin fried dough fritters).
4079 Cameron Park Drive, 530-677-5205, wallyspizzabar.com

O’Malley’s Dark Irish Red Ale
Ireland has a long history of producing rich, robust ales and this one by DarkHeart Brewing offers quite the homage. Described as “dark, beautiful, and a bit dangerous,” the ale is produced in honor of the legendary Irish “pirate queen” Grace O’Malley. This easy sipper has a bit of a dry finish with notes of biscuit and toasty toffee throughout. Channel O’Malley’s fierce and fearless nature with a round of this 5.5% ABV ale.
4339 Auburn Boulevard, Suite B, Sacramento, 916-333-1192, darkheartbrewing.com

The Monk's Cellar photo by Krista Waldschmidt. Irish Mule, Gold River Distillery  and 36 Handles Pub photos by Taylor Gillespie. Other photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.