WHEN Irish eyes are smiling on St Patrick's Day they may well also reflect on the growing number of quality "home-grown" drinks the country produces.

Ireland may well be small, but when it comes to producing world famous drinks, it is a big name.

Yes, there is the traditional Guinness, but do not let that blind you into thinking that is all Ireland has to offer.

Here, in time for St Patrick's Day, on March 17, we reveal some of Ireland's best with a variety to suit most tastes.

Boru Irish Vodka is the only premium vodka in Ireland. It is named after the first high king of Ireland, Brian Boru. It is handcrafted in Ireland, quadruple distilled for smoothness, then filtered through 10 feet of Atlantic Irish oak charcoal for purity. It is made from grain and pure Irish spring water.

Boru is available in three varieties, and in a mixed package where the Original, Orange and Citrus bottles are stacked precariously on top of each other. Priced at £14.99 from Asda, it makes an innovative -- and delicious -- present for St Patrick's Day.

Ireland may not be particularly famed for its vodka, but it does have a terrific reputation for whiskey. And Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey is among its best.

Kilbeggan is Gaelic for "little church". Although now an idyllic village in the heart of Ireland, it was for many years an active religious and learning centre built around a monastery. Legend has it that monks of the Twelfth Century began distilling Uisce Beatha (water of life) or whiskey, using the barley from the surrounding fields and the waters of the Brosna River, and heating the sills with turf from the local peat boglands.

However, the first licensed whiskey distillery in the world, John Locke's, began the official production in Kilbeggan in 1757 and was famous throughout Ireland by the Nineteenth Century. Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey first appeared as a John Locke brand more than 100 years ago. Locke's ceased distilling in the 1950s, but that did not affect sales of the drink. The whiskey is distilled from pure clear water and barley of Ireland, gently matured for long years in oak casks resting in ancient warehouses. The whiskey has a smoothness, balance and character. It has a well balanced flavour with a bitter-sweet character which endures. It can be served neat, with water, on the rocks or with mixers such as ginger ale or soda water. It can be bought in selected off-licenses at £19.95 for 350ml.

Irish coffee became world famous in the 1950s, but recreating the perfect blend in the home is a tricky business. That is where the Hot Irishman steps in. Husband and wife team, Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, have blended ingredients so that the drink is easy to recreate. It is made in Ireland and matured over time allowing its natural ingredients of Irish whiskey, Irish sugar and premium Columbian roast coffee time to blend and aromatize. Once the hard work is done, all you have to do is add water and top with lightly whipped cream. Hot Irishman is priced £16.95 for 70cl and available from Threshers, Unwins and Wine Rack.

However, if these suggestions are a little to "rich" for your blood, then a special Aldi offer could solve what to toast St Patrick's Day with. Finbarr's Draught Irish Stout is priced £2.99 for a pack of four 440 ml cans. The drink is brewed in Ireland as a traditional Porter with malt, part of which has been charred to give the beer its dark brown colour and burnt-bitter flavours. Serve chilled and pour carefully to enjoy it at its best.