St Patrick's Day (March 17) is a big deal in the US.

College students who likely could not find Ireland on a map suddenly discover their roots in the Auld Sod. So it is not surprising that St Patrick's day promotions begin well before Christmas.

There are always the predictable gimmicks involving green beer, leprechauns and shamrocks but this year there are a couple of new, well targeted Irish drinks for the occasion which have credibility.

Coole Swan, from the Coole Quay Liqueur Company of Dublin , was launched in Ireland last year and is now making its US debut at some 800 outlets in Manhattan.

This premium cream liqueur contains "all natural" ingredients, mixing chocolate, vanilla and cocoa with Irish cream and whiskey

Skyy Spirits is bringing back Tullamore Dew in the classic ceramic crock, first launched some 60 years ago. There's something heart-warming about drinking Irish whiskey out of a crock in the run-up to St Patrick's Day.

Just leave the green beer behind the bar, please.

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