Big Julie and St. Pat

We have made it past the Ides of March, which is more than Julius Caesar did. Ignoring the soothsayer's advice to stay away from the Forum that day, the Roman ruler gave Wayne and Shuster material for one of their most famous skits: "Big Julie, I said, don't go!" And "Bartender, give me a martinus." "You mean a martini." "If I want two, I'll ask for them." A joke unappreciated by those who flunked Latin.

Next major event on the calendar is St. Patrick's Day. St. Pat (who was not actually Irish, but don't say that down at O'Doul's Pub) is famous for chasing the snakes out of Ireland and for explaining the Holy Trinity by holding up a three-leaf shamrock--which still left some of us confused.

Adam McDowell, who writes a National Post column called "Fix My Drink," and undoubtedly enjoys his research, has suggested various St. Patrick's potables. Included, of course, is Black Velvet, a combination of Champagne and stout. Mixer McDowell recommends pouring the Champagne first and topping it with stout.

But the drink that surprised us was the Tipperary. This is a concoction of Irish whiskey, sweet vermouth, and green Chartreuse, with a twist of orange. Okay, we'll have one. Hold the vermouth. Hold the Chartreuse.

Too bad Caesar didn't have a shaker of Tipperaries that March 15th morning. He never would have made it to the Forum.