Michael and I are having friends over for a boozy St. Patrick’s Day brunch next Sunday, and one of the drinks we’re going to serve is my Southie Irish Coffee. I got the idea a few years back when I was staying at a resort in the Dominican Republic, and figured this is the perfect occasion to give it a try!

Every year our neighborhood of 35,000 residents swells to upwards of a million for the day-long celebration of St. Patricks Day. Traditionally South Boston (Southie) is home to generations of Irish immigrants who moved here during the turn of the 20th century. In March, the Sunday before St. Patrick’s day, the entire neighborhood opens it doors to each other and the rest of the city to celebrate their proud Irish heritage. There’s a parade in commemoration of Evacuation Day and people celebrate in their homes, in bars, and in the streets.

For the drink, you simmer Irish whiskey on a really low heat with dark brown sugar & a vanilla bean until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally.

What’s great about this drink is you can serve it to guests in a small carafe and let them add to their coffee, depending on how strong they want it. Serve it with cream or bailey’s (if you’re feeling extra saucy, like me), and let the festivities begin.

Directions:

• Pour 1 cup Jameson Whiskey into a small sauce pan with 1/4 cup dark brown sugar (or more if you want it sweeter).
• Split open the vanilla bean lengthwise, and using a spoon, scrape out seeds and add to mixture.
• Bring to low simmer until sugar is dissolved. Be sure not to let the liquid boil or simmer too hard, all the booze will evaporate out– a travesty!
• Transfer to a small carafe and serve.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!