If you wait all year to celebrate St. Pat’s Day, don’t waste your time on piddly, pale-colored ales and cocktails. Give the holiday extra oomph by sipping cocktails as green as the Emerald Isle.
Thai Jito, $5.95
This green cocktail at Vong’s Thai Kitchen may be distinctly Asian with vodka, coconut water and lemongrass syrup, but the touch of lime and fresh mint make it Irish in spirit. 6 W. Hubbard St. 312-644-8664.
Incredible Hulk, $10
Ever wonder what it feels like to be Bruce Banner amid the great green change? Head to Domaine, order a few rounds of this powerful cocktail made of Hypnotiq and Hennessy, and you just might find out what it means to be “incredible.” 1045 N. Rush St. 312-397-1045.
Greed, $12
Greed, one of the signature “seven deadly drinks” at SYN, is made with Ciroc vodka, DeKuyper Blue Pucker, a splash of pineapple juice and a champagne floater. The green-hued drink is garnished with an orange pinwheel. 1009 N. Rush St. 312-664-0009.
Green with Envy, $12
You don’t have to be Irish (or insanely jealous) to drink this chartreuse-colored, tropical-flavored martini at trendy lounge Y. It’s made with vodka, Malibu rum, Midori and a splash of sweet-and-sour mix. 224 W. Ontario St. 312-274-1880.
St. Patty, $9
No need to fret about fresh breath with this minty martini in hand. Le Passage’s smooth mixture of creme de menthe, chocolate-chip-cookie liqueur and vodka garnished with a mini-peppermint patty means French kissin’ on Irish day. 937 N. Rush St. 312-255-0022.
Green beer, $3.50
If martinis are a bit too, um, slight for your tastes, how about a hefty pint of green brew? Dyed drafts flow hard and fast at Finn McCool’s, one of Division Street’s newest (and busiest) pubs. 15 W. Division St. 312-337-4349.
Avenue martini, $8
Avenue Tavern’s sea-green cocktail mixes Absolut Citron, Vox Raspberry and blue curacao with lime and pineapple juices. 2916 N. Broadway, 773-975-7000.
Croc-tini, $10
What’s green and strong and stings like hell? Crocodile Lounge’s signature drink going down your gullet. Try the potent mix of Midori, Grey Goose vodka, Cointreau and pineapple juice. 221 W. Van Buren St. 312-427-9290.
Platiyo mojito, $7.50
The secret of a great mojito is mashing the fresh mint–it releases the natural oils. Add sugar, Montecristo rum and lots of ice, shake, pour into a rocks glass and top with soda. A wedge of lime completes the green scene. FYI: This lively Lakeview restaurant is opening a new location in Wicker Park this summer. Platiyo,3313 N. Clark St. 773-477-6700.
Salud margarita, $8
Succumb to Salud’s signature margarita and you won’t be sorry (at least not right away). The dangerously innocent-looking light green concoction of El Tesoro Platinum tequila, fresh lime juice and simple syrup may be taken straight up in a martini glass or on the rocks. 1471 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-235-5577.
Aqua Velva, $7.50
Don’t page your optometrist! This aqua green drink actually is glowing. Artful Dodger’s popular tequila-based cocktail has the consistency of a shaken margarita but comes in a pint glass. Note to dance floor fanatics: This is a drink, not a glow stick! 1734 W. Wabansia Ave. 773-227-6859.
