Irish Coffee Recipe

Irish Coffee is a classic cocktail that combines hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and a topping of lightly whipped cream. It is served in a warmed glass, allowing the rich aroma of the coffee and whiskey to blend perfectly.

The coffee drink is sweetened with sugar to balance the bold flavors, and the smooth, creamy layer of whipped cream on top adds a velvety texture, making each sip indulgent.

Irish Coffee is a comforting beverage, often enjoyed as an after-dinner drink or on a chilly evening, offering a warming blend of flavors with a touch of sweetness.

The invention of Irish Coffee

The tale begins one stormy night in the winter of 1943 at Foynes Port near County Limerick, Ireland. Chef Joe Sheridan, the mastermind behind this iconic cocktail, first crafted Irish Coffee to warm the hearts of weary travelers.

A group of passengers, stranded and chilled to the bone, found solace in a hot drink designed to rejuvenate them. Joe, a passionate chef, decided to add a little something extra to their coffee—a generous splash of Irish whiskey. When asked if the beverage was Brazilian coffee, Joe smirked and replied, “No, it’s Irish coffee.” And just like that, a legend was born.

Ingredients

• Coffee: Opt for a rich, strong coffee blend like a dark roast. Freshly brewed coffee ensures that the drink has the perfect amount of bitterness to balance the sweetness from other ingredients.
• Whiskey: The soul of Irish coffee is, of course, the whiskey. Choose a good quality Irish whiskey (I used Jameson Whiskey); it should be smooth enough to blend well and complement the coffee, not overpower it.
• Sweetener: Traditional recipes call for brown sugar, but feel free to experiment with maple syrup or simple syrup for a slightly different flavor profile.
• Cream: Use heavy cream or double cream, lightly whipped. The cream should float on top, creating that iconic layered look.

Check out the printable recipe card below for the complete recipe and detailed instructions.

The perfect glass

• Classic Irish Coffees are typically served in a heatproof glass with a handle, such as a specialized Irish Coffee mug or a tall, footed glass. This type of glass showcases the layers and keeps the drink warm.

How to make Authentic Irish Coffee

Warm two Irish coffee mugs by filling with HOT water for a few minutes.

Pour out the hot water and add one or two teaspoons of sugar to each glass mug.

Pour 4-ounces of hot coffee over the sugar, and stir until sugar fully dissolves.

Add 1.5-ounces whiskey, stir to combine. Once the coffee is still, hold a spoon over the coffee with the curved side up, and slowly pour the cream over the back of the spoon. This helps the cream float rather than mix into the coffee.

Drink coffee through the cream without stirring, which creates a mix of hot coffee and whiskey with each sip.

Expert Tips

• It’s best to use a good-quality Irish whiskey, such as Jameson, Bushmills, or Tullamore D.E.W. in this cocktail. You really can taste the difference.
• Irish Coffee recipes call for “sugar” and some actually specify brown sugar. I chose demerara sugar because it is less processed and probably closer to the sugar that was available back in the early 1940s when this cocktail was created.
• To get the cream to float on top, lightly whip the cream until it thickens slightly with soft peaks but is still pourable. Use the back of a spoon to slowly pour the cream over the top of the coffee, which helps it float on top and create that signature layer.
• I also added a tablespoon of powdered sugar, because straight cream does not sound appetizing to me. With a bit of volume added it is also much easier to keep the cream “floating” on top of the coffee. YUM!!

Most people know that my idea of coffee is actually a mug of hot chocolate with a double shot of espresso mixed in, but I was pleasantly surprised with this Irish Coffee and I really did enjoy it. The whiskey was not overpowering, there isn’t enough sugar to make the drink too sweet, and the cream on top was perfection. My Irish ancestors would be so proud!

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Enjoy!!