We’re All a Little Green

Since St. Patrick’s Day is almost a national holiday and a non-gifting one, people tend to go to bars or restaurants to celebrate the “wearing o’ the green.” So besides serving green beer, what can you do to up your customer service if you’re in the food and drink industry? Some companies are already a step ahead of the game.

Taking a Bite

Dunkin’ Donuts is breaking out a St. Patrick’s Day menu of themed baked goods and drinks. They are serving the Irish Crème Donut which “features a sugared raised shell with Irish Crème-flavored filling and is finished with a sprinkle of powdered sugar” says Stan Frankenthaler, Dunkin’ Brands’ executive chef and vice president of product innovation. Some Dunkin’ Donuts are also serving Irish Crème Coffee, both hot and cold Irish Crème Frozen Coolatta as well as Irish Crème Latte topped with caramel carefully drizzled over the top. If you want to keep up with the competition, you’ll need to whip up a variation of your own delicious themed food and drinks.

Themed Specialty Drinks

Some of the ways the Irish get through gray days is with coffee, cream, and Irish whiskey; however, combined together in just the right way and the drink becomes Irish coffee. The secret, says Larry Silva, general manager of the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco—which serves up 2,000 Irish coffees a day—is how you put the drink together. At the Buena Vista, this is how they do it. Irish coffee starts with a stemmed, 6-ounce glass that's been preheated with hot water. For a touch of sweetness; the Buena Vista recipe adds two cubes of sugar, though other recipes call for brown sugar. The cream, meanwhile, should be fresh and just slightly whipped—nothing from an aerosol can.

As for the whiskey, the Buena Vista is currently using Tullamore Dew. “Using a premium spirit elevates any cocktail," says John Concannon, a California vintner who has teamed with Ireland's Cooley Distillery to develop Concannon Irish Whiskey, which also makes a good Irish coffee. Irish coffee recipes can be found on the internet, try several out until you find one which will be perfect for your business.

Finally, the Food

There are many traditional foods which can be served for St. Patrick’s Day. They can be served buffet style, if you’re set up for that, or individually, if that’s the way your business operates. Some suggestions are Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Stew, Calcannon Potatoes, Shepherd’s Pie, Cabbage Rolls and there’s always Chocolate Guinness Cake for dessert. You can offer your specialty drinks, Irish Coffee or even green beer to quench any Irishman’s thirst. The people who come to your business on St. Patrick’s Day want to have a good time and relax and it’s up to you to help them do it.

St. Patrick’s Day can be an extra money making holiday if you work at it and make your place of business stand out. The green you may see is your large deposit at the end of the night!

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net