If you’re hearing this, I assume it’s because you’re NOT out drinking. Time to live vicariously through the people who are. Here are six stats about St. Patrick’s Day this year:
1. 51.2% of Americans are celebrating in some way.
2. More than four out of five people are wearing green today.
3. We’ll spend a total of $4.4 BILLION on St. Patrick’s Day. That’s based on an average of $35.40 per person.
4. People around the world will drink 13 million pints of Guinness today.
5. Even more important: We’ll eat 70% more CABBAGE this week than we do during a normal week.
6. And finally, St. Patrick’s Day is actually the FOURTH most popular drinking holiday of the year, behind New Year’s Eve, Christmas, and July 4th.
Five Things to Drink on St. Patrick’s Day That Aren’t Beer
Obviously most people order beer on St. Patrick’s Day. But here are five other drinks you can order at most bars. Or if you’re having people over, they’re easy enough to make at home.
1. An Irish Mule. It’s like a Moscow Mule, but with Irish whiskey instead of vodka, and ginger ALE instead of ginger BEER. It’s half a can of ginger ale with ice, whiskey, and a little bit of lime juice.
2. A Pillow Mint. It’s Irish whiskey on the rocks, a half-ounce of Kahlua, and a splash of peppermint schnapps.
3. A Misty Mint. You fill three-quarters of a glass with ice, add white rum, and crème de menthe to make it bright green.
4. A Baby Guinness. It’s a shot made with Kahlua and Baileys, so it kind of looks like Guinness.
5. A Black Velvet. This one actually does have some beer in it. You fill two thirds of a glass with champagne, and then fill the rest with Guinness. And you have to pour the Guinness in last or it won’t mix right.
(Here are seven other St. Patrick’s Day cocktails you also might want to try. They’re a little trickier to make though.)
