Homemade green food dye / Source

Food colors / Recipes / Cocktails & Mocktails

Because artificial colors are everywhere.

On St. Patrick’s Day, the world turns green, and stores are packed with green hats, beads, cups, and t-shirts. Bars serve up green beer and whatever other green-tinted cocktails they can get away with. Grocery stores? They’re loaded with green-frosted cookies, cakes, and cupcakes, all topped with sprinkles so cute, you might actually forget they’re glowing under a blacklight.

But here’s the thing—those greens? They’re not from nature. Nope, they’re the product of artificial food dyes.

And here’s why that’s not as charming as it sounds.

These dyes come from a cocktail of chemicals, courtesy of the oil industry, and studies have linked them to a bunch of health concerns. Oh, and did I mention they’re tested on animals before they make it to your plate?

Because that’s true.

This year, let’s make sure the only thing artificial is the luck.

Every time a holiday approaches, artificial colors go on sale. Magazines, blogs, and videos feature impossibly cute and creative treats made with various unnatural colors achieved through the magic of artificial colors.

There’s a better way; to make bright, vivid colors at home.

Look at that green up there! Spectacular! And it’s easy to make from everyday ingredients in your fridge or pantry.

It’s not complicated or expensive, promise.

Click here for the full step-by-step homemade food coloring tutorial.

Would you prefer to buy green vegan food dye? No problem.

Here are a few that are colored with vegetable juice or spices and contain no synthetic dyes.

We tested a few packets to test out on these sugar cookies.

First, the colors come packaged in individual packets, which means you won’t over-buy. Second, the colors mix easily and create beautiful colors. Lastly, they’re budget-friendly.

Here’s a 10-pack, Color Kitchen Food Colors from Nature, that makes a good starter pack.

By far, these colors are the cheapest and the most widely available. The powdered colors come in a pack of three colors which you can mix for a variety of colors.

This McCormick Nature’s Inspiration Food Colors pack created the colors for these unicorn sugar cookies. Just look how vivid the colors turned out!

A selection of vegan recipes / Source

Food colors / Recipes / Cocktails & Mocktails

Are you ready to cook? Here are vegan recipes for inspiration.

Are you ready to feast? These recipes mark the beginning of the fun—vegan dishes that will make your St. Patrick’s Day meal both festive and green.

Whether you’re in the mood for savory Irish-inspired meals or sweet treats that will make you feel lucky, there's something to satisfy every craving. These recipes are packed with flavor, creativity, and a lot of green—because this holiday deserves nothing less.

Let's get craving!

Toasting with beer / Source

Food colors / Recipes / Cocktails

Does your favorite drink or cocktail contain more than just alcohol?

Some beer and wine go through a clarifying process that uses animal products such as isinglass (fish bladders), egg whites, or gelatin. And because alcohol is commonly exempt from labeling requirements other food products have, these ingredients are rarely listed on the packaging.

Luckily, there’s an easy-to-use website for that. Without a doubt, Barnivore is the go-to website to check the vegan status of most beers and wines. Together, you can find these vegan products at almost any store.

Here are a few popular brands that are suitable for vegan imbibers.

• Barney Flat's Oatmeal Stout
• Harvest Moon Paddy’s Irish Stout
• Harvest Moon An Irish
• George Killian’s Irish Red
• Guinness (yes, it's vegan now)
• Michelob Irish
• Rogue Irish Lager
• Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout

• Blue Moon
• Budweiser (except the Clamato Chelada)
• Coors & Coors Light
• Corona
• Heineken
• Miller Lite, High-Life & Genuine Draft
• Pabst Blue Ribbon
• Sam Adams Ale (except Cherry Wheat, Honey Porter, or Latitude 48)
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
• Stella Artois
• Yuengling

A lot of craft beers are also vegan. Just ask your bartender before ordering.

• Frey Vineyards (all varieties)
• Orleans Hill (all varieties)
• Sutter Home (Riesling, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, and Chenin Blanc)
• Yellowtail (red wines only; not the white or the rosé)

It isn’t always apparent which wines are vegan or vegan-friendly by the label. Unless its vegan status is listed on the label, I strongly recommend checking Barnivore before purchasing.

Hard liquors like tequila, bourbon, whiskey, vodka, gin, and rum are vegan, as are nearly all distilled spirits except those with a cream base or honey.

Here are a few familiar brands:

• Absolut Vodka
• Grey Goose Vodka
• Skyy Vodka
• Appleton Estate Rum
• Bacardi Rum
• Malibu Rum
• Tanqueray Gin
• Beefeater Gin
• Cazadores Tequila
• Hornitos Tequila
• Patron Tequila
• Black Velvet Whiskey
• Jim Beam Whiskey
• Jameson Irish Whiskey

Whether you’re in the mood for a cocktail to kick off the festivities or a mocktail that’s just as festive without the buzz, this section has you covered.

From refreshing sips to creative concoctions, these drink recipes are as fun to make as they are to sip. So, grab your shaker, channel your inner bartender, and let’s craft the perfect drink for your lucky day!

Go, have fun. Meet up with friends. Dance with people and have a good time. When you are ready to leave, don’t drink and drive.

Plan ahead. Get a designated driver, call a cab, or get a Lyft or Uber. Call a friend, or call your mom.

All it takes is one accident to change lives. It’s not worth it.

Drink Responsibly.