Happy Friday, gang — and happy almost-St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀
We’re not the type to go all out with green beer and leprechaun hats (no judgment if you are), but we do love an excuse to lean into Irish flavors and cozy up with something festive. This week’s pairing is exactly that — an Irish Mule that’s warm, gingery, and ridiculously easy, alongside a Colcannon that might be the most comforting thing you can put on a plate. It’s creamy mashed potatoes loaded with cabbage, kale, chives, and crispy pancetta, finished with a pool of melted butter if you’re feeling traditional (and you should be feeling traditional).
This is the kind of St. Patrick’s Day dinner that doesn’t require a reservation or a crowd — just a copper mug, a good potato, and someone you like sitting across from you.
Table of contents
Irish Mule 🥃
There’s a reason the Moscow Mule is a classic — that combination of spirit, ginger beer, and citrus just works. But swap the vodka for Irish whiskey, and suddenly you’ve got something with a little more character, a little more warmth, and a whole lot more personality. That’s the Irish Mule, and it’s our new favorite way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
We’re using Jameson here because it’s smooth, approachable, and plays beautifully with the spicy ginger beer. Fever-Tree keeps things crisp and not too sweet, and a squeeze of fresh lemon brightens the whole thing up. Serve it in a copper mug — because tradition matters — and garnish with a mint sprig. It takes about two minutes to make and tastes like you should be sitting in a pub in Dublin.
🍀 Beth’s Tips:
- Use good ginger beer — it’s doing most of the heavy lifting. Fever-Tree has a nice bite without being overpowering, which is exactly what you want here.
- Don’t skip the fresh lemon juice. The bottled stuff won’t give you the same brightness, and it makes a bigger difference than you’d think.
- If you want to make this a little more festive, add a few dashes of Angostura bitters. It adds depth and a subtle warmth that’s really lovely.
- The copper mug isn’t just for looks — it actually keeps the drink colder longer. But if you don’t have one, a rocks glass or highball works just fine.
Irish Mule FAQs
Absolutely. Tullamore Dew is a great alternative — it’s a little lighter and sweeter than Jameson, which works nicely here. Powers or Bushmills would also be good choices. Just stick with an Irish whiskey for the right flavor profile
The spirit. A Moscow Mule uses vodka, while an Irish Mule uses Irish whiskey. The whiskey adds more warmth and complexity, which makes it feel a little more grown-up. The ginger beer and citrus stay the same.
Yes! Skip the whiskey and make a ginger beer mocktail with fresh lemon juice, a splash of simple syrup, and a few dashes of Angostura bitters (which are technically non-alcoholic). Serve it in a copper mug with mint and it’s still festive and delicious.
You can pre-measure the whiskey and lemon juice into a pitcher, but hold off on the ginger beer until you’re ready to serve — you want those bubbles fresh. Pour over ice in individual mugs and top with ginger beer at the last minute.
You’re looking at it! Colcannon is a natural match. It also pairs well with shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, or a hearty beef stew.
Irish Mule Recipe Card
Irish Mule
Ingredients:
- 4 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey
- 6 –8 oz Fever-Tree Ginger Beer
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice
- Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
- Lemon wheels for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Fill two copper mule mugs with ice.
- Pour 2 oz of Jameson into each mug.
- Add ½ oz of fresh lemon juice to each.
- Top with 3–4 oz of Fever-Tree Ginger Beer and stir gently.
- Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a lemon wheel if you like, and serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe?
We’d love to see! Tag us @styleatacertainage
Irish Colcannon 🥔
This is one of those recipes that makes me wonder why we don’t eat it all year round. Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish — basically the creamiest, most flavorful mashed potatoes you’ve ever had, loaded with sautéed cabbage and kale, stirred through with sour cream and butter, and finished with chives and crispy pancetta on top. It’s comfort food at its absolute best.
I’m using both cabbage and kale here because I love the combination — the cabbage gets sweet and silky, and the kale adds a little texture and earthiness. Yukon Golds are the way to go for that naturally buttery, creamy base, and the sour cream gives it a subtle tang that keeps things interesting. The crispy pancetta and chives on top are non-negotiable in my opinion, and if you want to go fully traditional, you can add a little well of melted butter right in the center. You don’t have to, but I highly recommend it.
🍀 Kelly’s Tips:
- Yukon Golds are key here — they’re naturally buttery and creamy, which means you don’t have to add a ton of dairy to get that luxurious texture.
- Cook the greens in the pancetta drippings. It adds so much flavor!
- Warm your milk before adding it to the potatoes. Cold milk will cool everything down and make the mash gummy.
- This is a great make-ahead dish — reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk to loosen it up, then add the pancetta and chives fresh before serving.
- The melted butter in the center is optional, but it’s a beautiful traditional touch. Each bite gets dipped into that little pool, and honestly, it’s heavenly.
- With the leftovers, I made Colcannon croquettes by forming little patties of the Colcannon, dredging them in egg and panko, and air-frying them until golden. They were a great breakfast side the next day!
Colcannon FAQs
You can — either works on its own. If you go all cabbage, you’ll get a sweeter, silkier result. All kale will be a bit more earthy and textured. We love the combination of both, but it’s your colcannon.
You can, but russets tend to be starchier and drier, so you may need a little more milk and butter to get the same creamy texture. Yukon Golds are our preference because they’re naturally smooth and buttery.
Yes! Make the mashed potatoes and fold in the greens up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of warm milk. Cook the pancetta fresh and add it with the chives just before serving so it stays crispy.
It’s a natural match for corned beef, roasted lamb, braised short ribs, or roasted chicken. It’s also hearty enough to be a main with a simple green salad on the side. And of course — an Irish Mule.
They’re cousins! Champ is mashed potatoes with scallions (green onions) and butter. Colcannon adds cabbage and/or kale into the mix. Both are delicious, but colcannon is a little heartier.
Colcannon Recipe Card
Colcannon
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 4 oz pancetta diced
- 2 cups green cabbage thinly sliced
- 2 cups lacinato or curly kale stems removed, roughly chopped
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup whole milk warmed (more as needed)
- 3 tablespoons fresh chives chopped
- Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper
- Melted butter for serving (optional but encouraged)
Instructions:
- Place the potatoes in a large pot of salted cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until fork-tender, about 15–18 minutes. Drain well and return to the pot.
- While the potatoes cook, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until crispy, about 5–6 minutes. Remove the pancetta with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel–lined plate.
- In the same skillet with the pancetta drippings, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the cabbage and kale with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the greens are tender and just starting to turn golden, about 6–8 minutes.
- Mash the potatoes with the sour cream and warm milk until smooth and creamy. You want them fluffy but not gluey — don’t overwork them.
- Fold the sautéed cabbage and kale into the mashed potatoes along with most of the chives. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the crispy pancetta, remaining chives, and a pool of melted butter in the center if you’re feeling traditional.
Did you make this recipe?
We’d love to see! Tag us @styleatacertainage
Oscar & Ollie: Sláinte, Sweet Boy 🐾
Ollie is holding court on the porch this week, perched on the coffee table like the queen she knows she is. That look on her face says, “Yes, I know I’m stunning. You may continue.” We wouldn’t dare argue.
And we’re sharing some of our very favorite archive photos of Oscar today (these are from 2022). There’s one of him leaning into me while I scratch behind his ears — that was his favorite spot, and he’d sit there all day if you let him. And then there’s the one where he’s jumping up for a treat with all that energy and joy that was just so him. He was always up for fun, always right where the action was, and always, always happy to be with his people. We miss that sweet boy every single day, and sharing these moments with you keeps him close. Sláinte, Oscar. 🐾
St. Patrick’s Day Outfits ☘️
Beth’s Look
I wanted to nod to St. Patrick’s Day without going full green from head to toe, and these Mid Rise Classic Straight Leg Chino Pants from Lands’ End did exactly that. The green and white stripe is festive but polished, and the straight leg silhouette keeps them feeling classic. I paired them with a Collared Sweater in white — the collar detail gives it a slightly more put-together feel than a regular pullover, and the softness of the knit makes it perfect for this in-between weather.
Shop Beth’s Look
For shoes, I went with my Snake-Embossed Green Flats. These Tory Burch flats are no longer available, but I found a similar option with these Snake-Embossed Green Flats. The green shoe picks up the green in the pants and adds a little bit of texture and fun.
Shop Beth’s Look
Kelly’s Look
I love a good stripe, and today felt like the day to lean into it. My Striped Carolyn Crewneck Sweater (on sale now at J.Crew) in green, black, and white with a navy collar has a great vintage feel — the navy contrast collar is a nice detail, and the colors are festive without being too on-the-nose for St. Patrick’s Day.
Shop Kelly’s Look
I paired it with my Petite Patch Pocket Slim Chino Pants in cream, which keep things light and fresh, and finished the look with my Loraine Mesh Bit Loafers. The woven mesh texture adds interest without competing with the stripes, and the gold bit hardware ties it all together. It’s the kind of outfit that feels effortless but intentional — and comfortable enough for a full afternoon of cooking, cocktail-making, and taste-testing.
Shop Kelly’s Look
More to Love on Fridays with Oscar
- Cucumber G&T with Roasted Asparagus – Hello, Spring!
- Grapefruit Paloma & Crispy Smashed Potatoes
- Raspberry French 75 & Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp
Sláinte! Cheers to St. Patrick’s Day ☘️
That’s our kind of St. Patrick’s Day, gang — no green beer required. Just a copper mug full of something gingery and warm, a big bowl of the creamiest mashed potatoes you’ve ever had, and the kind of evening that makes you grateful for simple things and good company. We hope you’ll make this one your own this weekend. Sláinte — we’ll see you next Friday!Until next time, Beth, Kelly, Ollie…and always Oscar.
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