They celebrate the Irish spirit 24/7/365 in Dublin, Ohio — Photo courtesy of DCVB
Whether you're Irish down to your DNA, or just Irish on St. Patrick's Day, it's time to grab your passport. Not for transatlantic travel, but for the world's only Celtic Cocktail Trail in Dublin.
Ohio, that is!
Fourteen stops, 14 stamps – a whirlwind, Irish-inspired trip that's best done with loved ones. And definitely Uber.
While it's a blast for the St. Paddy's season, the trail is open all year long. As participants get their passports stamped – enjoying beverages and bites along the way – they can rack up the prizes. Five stamps will get you a commemorative coozie; collect all 14 and you get an exclusive Celtic Cocktail t-shirt.
Can't make it to Ohio for the festivities? No worries. We've included 10 of the highlighted beverages below – complete with ingredients – so you can bust out your shamrocks and shillelaghs and celebrate without leaving home.
Excuse Me, Miss | Hen Quarter
Love-inspired, hip hop-dubbed — Photo courtesy of Hen Quarter
When mixologist Tyler Plymale was tasked with creating a drink for the Celtic Cocktail Trail, he thought immediately of his girlfriend, an Irish dancer. "I chose the name 'Excuse Me, Miss' (from "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)," a Chris Brown song from 2005) – it reminds me of the first time I saw her striking red hair and hazel eyes."
Plymale infused Slane Irish Whiskey with apple, cinnamon, clove and brown sugar, added Ohio-local Watershed Apple Brandy, which he says pairs beautifully with orange Curacao, adding honey-vanilla syrup to sweeten and orange bitters to round it out.
Irish Sazerac | Fadó Pub & Kitchen
Fadó does an Irish (and Ohio) take on a Louisiana classic — Photo courtesy of Fadó Pub & Kitchen
Owned by a Dublin, Ireland, native who also helms the kitchen, Fadó brings fun and energy to Dublin. At its heart, the spirit of an Irish pub, in its kitchen, fresh and oft locally sourced European-inspired food.
Its cocktail offering, however, was inspired by this New Orleans-spun classic, replacing Sazerac Rye with Jameson Black Barrel. It's accompanied by pure cane syrup, Peychaud's Bitters, and a misting of absinthe on the glass with a lemon peel garnish.
Irish Isle | 101 Beer Kitchen
Honey and whiskey make the Irish Isle something of a reverse hot toddy — Photo courtesy of 101 Beer Kitchen
Seasonal menus and regular five-course beer dinner events ($65 per person) are among the lures at 101 Beer Kitchen, where the Irish Isle cocktail will be on hand to further your stamp collection with a handcrafted beverage. This concoction will leave you feeling transported with Jameson Irish Whiskey, Watershed Nocino, honey-caraway syrup, cardamom bitters and expressed lemon.
Their new spring menu just sprung, so you may want to make this a dinner stop during the mission.
Irish Tricolor | Vaso Rooftop Lounge
It's a colorful way to say "no" to green beer — Photo courtesy of VASO Dublin
You could do worse than a Celtic Cocktail-themed date night at this posh nightspot at the top of the AC Dublin Hotel. Though this time of year, you'd probably prefer to enjoy the expert mixology in their indoor lounge. We recommend the Irish Tricolor containing Jameson Irish Whiskey, fresh pineapple juice, orgeat, fresh lime juice and Green Chartreuse.
You'll find the whiskey in this colorful beverage fiery, while its colors remind you that the spring thaw isn't too far off.
The Quiet Irishman | Mezzo
Fresh blackberries mean you'll get your RDA of antioxidants in this offering from Mezzo — Photo courtesy of Mezzo
Something you may already know: "mezzo" is not Irish. It's Italian. For "middle." As such, the venue is poised between the traditions of the Old World and the cuisine of the new. The warmth of its downtown setting is in perfect balance with that of its Celtic Cocktail offering, a bubbly blend of Quiet Man Irish Whiskey, blackberries, lime and ginger ale.
Dublin Irish Red | The Pint Room
It doesn't get more Irish than a pint — Photo courtesy of DCVB
Gourmet burgers and good craft beer are the staples of the Pint Room, which keeps it simple. As such, the Dublin Irish Red – a 5.7% ABV offering from Ohio's Buckeye Lake Brewery – pairs brilliantly with just about anything on its upscale bar-food menu.
Irish Maid | Matt the Miller's
Cucumber gives this drink a bit of spa-like zen — Photo courtesy of DCVB
This upscale pub has six locations around the state, but its Dublin outpost was the first to bring its particular brand of Irish charm to the states. In fact, this venue was inspired by a visit to the original Matt the Miller's in Kilkenny, Ireland. Its Irish Maid offering, as its name might suggest, is both warm and refreshing, a concoction made up of Jameson Irish Whiskey, St. Germain, muddled cucumbers, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup.
Drunken Leprechaun | Tucci's
The Drunken Leprechaun is magically delicious — Photo courtesy of DCVB
Located in the heart of historic Dublin, Tucci's is a carnivore's classic venue, specializing in fresh hand-cut steaks and seafood. While its wine program is exemplary – they've got more than 270 bottles in their inventory – you might choose to get your feast started with a stamp borne of this playfully named cocktail.
The Drunken Leprechaun contains Jameson Irish Whiskey, Guinness reduction and honey simple syrups and fresh lemon juice garnished with mint.
Mavourneen | Dublin Village Tavern
Many of the trail's offerings showcase the versatility of Irish whiskey — Photo courtesy of DCVB
Geri, the General Manager at DVT, one of Dublin's most-loved pubs, was the creative mind behind the Mavourneen, so named for her Irish grandparents' sweet rapport. "They were from County Limerick," she says, "and Mavourneen is a term of endearment for a wife, sweetheart or female loved one."
The drink takes Irish whiskey – at that time generally considered a man's drink – and softens it with cucumber and elderflower. In addition to the Jameson, St. Germain and cucumber, it contains fresh lemon juice and simple syrup.
Dublin OH-riginal Stout | RAM Restaurant + Brewery
Make it even more Irish with a whiskey back — Photo courtesy of DCVB
You can't go wrong with the classics, and this Irish Stout (ABV 5%) is brewed right on site at Dublin's very first brewery! In fact, RAM's other offerings, like Bighorn Hefeweizen and Butt Face Amber, are named for the venue's animal spirit guide. This one will earn you a stamp, however, and pairs beautifully with burgers like the Hillbilly Blue or Sergeant Pepper; they've even got the impossible burger for vegans looking for mop up food on their passport pursuit.