Say “St. Patrick’s Day” and you’ll immediately think of overflowing beer mugs, rowdy pubs, and above all, sloshed leprechauns. Turn the infamous booze-filled celebration into a wholesome, family-friendly party with these ideas for a St. Patrick’s Day that’s perfect for the young’uns and the alcohol-intolerant.
Cr: marthastewart.com
Make Green Food
What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s day than by eating foods that are coloured green? Instead of just adding green food colouring to your cupcakes, turn your food green by including ingredients like spinach, peas, or pesto for a healthy twist – just blend them up and throw them into a batter or white sauce. If you’ve got more of a sweet tooth, matcha, mint, and pandan are delicious additions to any dessert.
For more inspiration, check out these recipes we’ve found to make your own naturally green festive treats:
- Children will love these Spinach Pancakes, which taste just like normal ones but are still full of healthy, green goodness.
- Even the pickiest of eaters will gobble up this delicious Green Goddess Mac & Cheese.
- Can’t live without desserts? Get your daily dose of sugar with these amazing Green Tea Cupcakes. They’re great for a fun afternoon baking with your kids as well.
Cr: jellytoastblog.com
Down a Few Virgin Drinks
We’ve already got delicious food, but no meal is complete without a great drink. Grab your cocktail shaker and blender because we’re ready to say Sláinte! Whip up a few mocktails, slushies or smoothies to accompany your food, or just for a midday pick-me-up. Alcohol-free, refreshing, and absolutely St. Pat’s worthy, these drinks are perfect for cooling off in Singapore’s unforgiving weather. They’re simple to make, but have just the right amount of fancy to be a hit at any party. And of course, they come in green as well.
If you’re the designated driver for the night, trade your virgin Cuba Libre (read: coke) for a quality mocktail at Open Door Policy or Loof where the mocktails are just as good as their boozy counterparts. For a festive green touch, order Open Door Policy’s Garden Lemonade, or Loof’s uniquely Singaporean Ya Kun Make Me Lose My Mind.
Book a table at Open Door Policy or Loof and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.
Cr: youtube.com
Find Some Leprechauns
Now that everyone’s happy and well-fed, it’s time to go Leprechaun hunting. These mischievous trickster fairies are an icon of Irish culture and mythology, well known for their elusive pots of gold hidden at the ends of rainbows.
With paper, scissors, and a bit of creativity, you and your family can create a Leprechaun trap. If the luck of the Irish is on your side, you might just get him to tell you where he’s hidden his gold. Even if you don’t catch a Leprechaun, at least you’ve found a way to use up those leftover chocolate coins you’ve got for Chinese New Year.
Green paper, a Leprechaun-sized box, and some fancy bait (we like to use gold chocolate coins) are the basic building blocks of a good trap, but don’t be afraid to make it as extravagant and attractive and you want! Here are some ideas to get you started.
Cr: metro.co.uk
Have a Traditional Irish Dinner
Maybe you don’t like the drunk and jolly pop-culture image of Irish culture. Thankfully, St. Patrick’s day doesn’t have to be all about dancing Leprechauns wearing shamrocks and waving pots of gold.
The Irish Stew is the national dish of Ireland, and it’s not hard to see why. Made with ingredients grown in Ireland and integral to its cuisine, it is essentially Irish culture condensed into a savoury, heart-warming meal. Featuring juicy lamb cooked with tender potatoes and fragrant herbs, the dish showcases the best of Irish agriculture.
Complete the meal with some tasty dishes like Boxty, a potato-based pancake, or Colcannon, creamy mashed potatoes mixed with cabbage or kale for a healthier (and yummier) Irish take on our favourite side. If your kids notice that everything on the traditional Irish dinner table contains potatoes, you can take the chance to educate them about the Potato Famine too.
Cr: molly-malone.com
Join in the Festivities in Town!
You don’t have to stay home for a booze-free and family friendly St. Pat’s. Here in Singapore, we love any excuse to celebrate. There are loads of St. Patrick’s day activities organised by Irish pubs and communities around town, so feel free to join in the fun!
Don a green outfit and head down to Empress Lawn this Sunday afternoon (18 March) to take part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Join Singapore’s Irish community for a fun-filled day of activities around the CBD area!
If your boots weren’t made for walking, swing down to the Irish pubs around town to enjoy the jovial atmosphere and get a taste of traditional Irish food. Molly Malone’s, the first Irish pub in Singapore, hosts the weekend-long St. Patrick’s Street Fest outside the pub long Circular Road. Expect the best of Irish culture with upbeat traditional music, energetic jigs, and of course, a lot of green. They’re serving Guinness as well, though you’re perfectly free to come to the party but avoid the booze.
Already have weekend plans? You’ll still get to hear some fancy fiddling, as Molly Malone’s is hosting the best Irish live bands in town all week long.
Click here for more information on Molly Malone’s.