Eddie V's St. Patrick's Day Drinks

I am not really a fan of St. Patrick's Day.

As a Catholic, it feels a little weird to celebrate a man's conversion of an entire country by indulging in ethnic stereotypes, most of which involve drinking and carousing.

And I know it's not really a religious holiday anymore, and that many Americans of Irish descent use is as an opportunity to demonstrate pride in their heritage. But I've never been able to shake the fact that on this day, it's not the Irish's heritage of literature, of defiance under tyranny, or even of fervent Christian faithfulness that we celebrate.

But, that said, I enjoy the day's feeling of universal, if temporary, Irishness. Whether or not you've got “people” still on the “old sod,” many of us will toast by saying Sláinte on this day.

And maybe I wouldn't get so bent out of shape if the holiday were celebrated in somewhat higher style. For example, if people classed up St. Patrick's Day celebrations even half as much as they do St. Valentine's Day ones, this could be a truly spectacular holiday.

I mean, green beer does not really bespeak a great cultural pride.

So I'm heartened by the elegance that the Eddie V's restaurants are bringing to the holiday. While no one actually said the trio serving these two new cocktails—Wildfish Seafood Grille at the Scottsdale Waterfront, Roaring Fork in Old Town Scottsdale and Eddie V's Edgewater Grille at DC Ranch—are making a concerted effort to class things up for St. Patrick, I appreciate the gesture.

Starting this week through St. Patrick's Day, the restaurants will offer two special drinks celebrating the holiday: the Avocado Pineapple Martini and the Kiss O'Cream Martini, $12 each.

The first, a pale green cocktail, is made from avocado and pineapple puree, Grey Goose Silver vodka, simple syrup, lime juice and sweet and sour. The avocado adds a rich creaminess, but not much flavor. Oddly, the drink tastes like it's built around key limes, an opinion seconded by the bartender mixing it. It's a fun, experimental cocktail that references none of the established stereotypes or ingredients of the holiday, so that's refreshing. And I applaud the effort Eddie V's is making to combine Southwestern culinary influences with St. Patrick's Day, all in a martini glass.

The Kiss O'Cream is a mix of Three Olives Vanilla vodka, triple sec and pistachio syrup. Again, it's an unusual choice, because just as the Irish are not known for their deft use of the avocado, nor are we famed for the magic we can work with pistachios. Fortunately, the drink requires no cultural explication to appreciate. This not-too-sweet cocktail is as excellent as it is unexpected, with a balanced nutty flavor and a light taste.