8 ways to get in the st. Patrick’s day spirit — without booze

TRY A MOCKTAIL, NONALCOHOLIC BEER OR GREEN JUICE Stack says Guinness makes alcohol-free stout that anyone can enjoy without the buzz, and many major beer-makers also have alcohol-free

options. For mocktails, consider experimenting with a cordial or nonalcoholic syrup to mix some of your favorite flavors, Stack suggests. Bonus points if it’s green. For a really healthy

nonalcoholic drink, Stack says, juicing cucumber, oranges, apples and celery will nourish you with loads of antioxidants — and the mixture is green. Although having a green drink can be

thematically festive, don’t limit yourself: Stack says there’s a huge variety of juices you can make at home that aren’t green but still on the right track with staying healthy. TEATIME AND

TELLING TALES ISN’T JUST FOR THE ENGLISH Storytelling over afternoon tea and finger foods such as light sandwiches, crumpets or sweet treats “is a very Irish thing to do … because the Irish

are best known for telling stories,” Reilly says. He says it’s like a timeout during the day to catch up with loved ones. Barry’s Tea is a popular Irish brand, but any brand will do. MAKE

TRADITIONAL IRISH FOOD Corned beef and cabbage is how the U.S. defines classic Irish food, but Stack says Ireland’s traditional dish is actually bacon and cabbage. You can find recipes here.

Other popular dishes include colcannon — a variety of Irish mashed potatoes typically made with spring onion and cabbage and topped with a sprinkle of bacon, and of course, there is the

classic shepherd’s pie. If you’re more of a baker, try your hand at soda bread, which can be made with four main ingredients: baking soda, flour, buttermilk and salt. It typically requires

less than an hour in the oven. Recipes vary, but it’s important to score an X-shape at the top of your circular loaf before baking. Irish lore says that lets the fairies out, Stack says.

EMBRACE MUSIC AND DANCE There should be plenty of opportunities to watch Irish dance and listen to music, Stack says. (Check out the many parades and festivals going on that weekend around

the country.) For Reilly, the “happy and free” rhythms and steps of Ireland’s culture are at the center of Sober St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. “The unique thing about Irish culture is that

its music and dance is the most intergenerational thing in the world,” he says. “You can have kids 6 years old dancing with someone who’s 96 years old.” There are plenty of options online

to listen to trad music (traditional Irish music) or learn how to step dance through YouTube, Reilly suggests. AARP New York will host intro to Irish step dancing courses through Zoom. You

can register to join here. Stack says a large part of Irish dance is done with just the lower body. Although you may see a lot of hopping and fast movements, there’s no reason you can’t

simply tap along to the beat while seated.