The Irish Coffee is a comforting cocktail that blends hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and a layer of lightly whipped cream. This iconic drink is perfect for cold evenings, brunches, or as a delightful after-dinner treat. It originated in Ireland in the 1940s and has since become a global favorite.
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Irish coffee glass or heatproof glass mug
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Bar spoon
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Whisk or handheld milk frother
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Coffee maker or French press
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Warm the Glass:
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Fill the glass with hot water and let it sit for a minute to warm.
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Discard the water before preparing the cocktail.
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Prepare the Coffee:
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Brew a cup of strong, dark roast coffee.
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While the coffee is brewing, lightly whip the cream until it is just thick enough to float but still pourable.
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Mix the Whiskey and Sugar:
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Add 1 tbsp brown sugar to the warm glass.
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Pour in 1.5 oz Irish whiskey and stir to dissolve the sugar.
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Add the Coffee:
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Slowly pour the hot coffee into the glass, leaving about 1 inch of space at the top.
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Float the Cream:
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Hold a spoon upside down over the coffee and gently pour the whipped cream over the back of the spoon. This technique helps the cream float on top without sinking.
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Garnish and Serve:
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Garnish with a light dusting of freshly grated nutmeg or a few coffee beans for an aromatic finish.
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Serve immediately while the coffee is hot and the cream is chilled.
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The traditional Irish Coffee is served in a heatproof glass with a handle, allowing you to see the layered effect of the coffee and cream.
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The drink should be sipped through the cream layer, allowing the hot coffee and whiskey to blend with the cool cream.
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Appetizers: Warm scones with clotted cream, almond biscotti, or buttery shortbread.
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Main Course: Irish stew, shepherd’s pie, or corned beef sandwiches.
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Dessert: Chocolate lava cake, Bailey’s cheesecake, or Irish cream fudge.
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Stronger Irish Coffee: Increase the whiskey to 2 oz for a bolder flavor.
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Sweeter Irish Coffee: Add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar or drizzle with Irish cream liqueur.
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Spiced Irish Coffee: Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the coffee before pouring.
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Mocha Irish Coffee: Stir in 1 tbsp of dark chocolate syrup before adding the cream.
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Cold Irish Coffee: Chill the coffee and use cold, whipped cream for a refreshing summer twist.
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The Irish Coffee was created in the 1940s by chef Joe Sheridan at Foynes Airbase in Ireland to warm up cold, weary passengers.
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The drink was brought to the United States by travel writer Stanton Delaplane, who introduced it to the Buena Vista Café in San Francisco, where it remains a signature drink to this day.
Ingredients
Directions
-
Irish coffee glass or heatproof glass mug
-
Bar spoon
-
Whisk or handheld milk frother
-
Coffee maker or French press
-
Warm the Glass:
-
Fill the glass with hot water and let it sit for a minute to warm.
-
Discard the water before preparing the cocktail.
-
-
Prepare the Coffee:
-
Brew a cup of strong, dark roast coffee.
-
While the coffee is brewing, lightly whip the cream until it is just thick enough to float but still pourable.
-
-
Mix the Whiskey and Sugar:
-
Add 1 tbsp brown sugar to the warm glass.
-
Pour in 1.5 oz Irish whiskey and stir to dissolve the sugar.
-
-
Add the Coffee:
-
Slowly pour the hot coffee into the glass, leaving about 1 inch of space at the top.
-
-
Float the Cream:
-
Hold a spoon upside down over the coffee and gently pour the whipped cream over the back of the spoon. This technique helps the cream float on top without sinking.
-
-
Garnish and Serve:
-
Garnish with a light dusting of freshly grated nutmeg or a few coffee beans for an aromatic finish.
-
Serve immediately while the coffee is hot and the cream is chilled.
-
-
The traditional Irish Coffee is served in a heatproof glass with a handle, allowing you to see the layered effect of the coffee and cream.
-
The drink should be sipped through the cream layer, allowing the hot coffee and whiskey to blend with the cool cream.
-
Appetizers: Warm scones with clotted cream, almond biscotti, or buttery shortbread.
-
Main Course: Irish stew, shepherd’s pie, or corned beef sandwiches.
-
Dessert: Chocolate lava cake, Bailey’s cheesecake, or Irish cream fudge.
-
Stronger Irish Coffee: Increase the whiskey to 2 oz for a bolder flavor.
-
Sweeter Irish Coffee: Add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar or drizzle with Irish cream liqueur.
-
Spiced Irish Coffee: Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the coffee before pouring.
-
Mocha Irish Coffee: Stir in 1 tbsp of dark chocolate syrup before adding the cream.
-
Cold Irish Coffee: Chill the coffee and use cold, whipped cream for a refreshing summer twist.
-
The Irish Coffee was created in the 1940s by chef Joe Sheridan at Foynes Airbase in Ireland to warm up cold, weary passengers.
-
The drink was brought to the United States by travel writer Stanton Delaplane, who introduced it to the Buena Vista Café in San Francisco, where it remains a signature drink to this day.