Five knock-your-clogs-off St. Patty’s Day drink recipes

St. Patrick's Day is just on the other side of the rainbow, and the sound of leprechauns clicking their heels can be heard if you're lucky enough to come across a four-leaf clover, or if you've been browsing the magical land of Pinterest lately (like I have).

As if you really need an excuse to eat copious amounts of rainbow sprinkles, amateur and professional St. Patty's Day revelers are incorporating the edible decorations, as well as other festive ingredients, into the following five recipes. 

Have ye green food coloring ready, or prepare to be pinched.

Over the Rainbow Green Apple Martini. Starting out simple, I can already rely on an apple martini to have the luck o' the Irish green hue that will make even the grumpiest drinker dance.

Plus, they're pretty tasty.

This rendition is especially fun because of the drink's clever rainbow sprinkle-coated rim technique, which is super easy to pull off.

Magically Delicious Martini. When I was younger, Lucky Charms marshmallows were always in the limelight when it came to sugary breakfast cereals, and not much has changed as far as yummy adult beverages go.

This cocktail's mint and chocolate liqueurs are perfectly creamy and, most importantly, green! 

Jamming out to the Dropkick Murphys while mixing is highly recommended.

Guinness and Baileys Jello Shots. Yes, we all discovered the delight of fusing Jell-O's jiggly goodness with alcohol. And here, Guinness, Baileys Irish Cream and Jameson Irish Whiskey are the three best friends that any leprechaun could have.

All three are served up right and pretty, with a rich little layer of foam, by the spoonful, in this aesthetically elegant recipe. Jell-O shot experts (that's definitely a thing) are to thank for the how-to.

Rainbow Jello Shots. Makers of these other masterful gelatin epicuriosities took the art a step further by playing with color. Rainbow Jell-O shots? This is the peak of evolution.

Also, if placed correctly, a maraschino cherry serves as both a treat and a retrieving device. That's handy and delicious.

Liquid Luck Cinnamon Shots. Baileys missed out on coming up with a witty name for its signature gold-flaked creation (the brand actually dubs it the "Glamour Shot"), so I coined another one. Harry Potter fans will likely be amused.

In addition to its name, though, this St. Patty's-appropriate shot is seriously a miniature pot of gold (be wary of thieving leprechauns). Goldschlager Cinnamon Schnapps, Baileys vanilla-cinnamon liqueur and a rim of gold make for a dazzling and decadent treat.

Find the recipe at the end of the rainbow, which so happens to be the Baileys website.

This article appears in Mar 5-11, 2015.