Irish coffee
Irish coffee is a hot cocktail made with hot coffee, Irish whiskey, brown sugar, and whipped cream. It is a popular after-dinner drink that originated in Ireland.
Irish coffee recipe
- 50 ml Irish whiskey
- 120 ml hot coffee
- 50 ml fresh cream (chilled)
- 1 tsp sugar
Pour the coffee into a preheated glass, add whiskey and sugar, and stir until dissolved. Pour cream slowly to form a distinct layer.
Directions for how to make the Irish coffee
- Preheat an Irish coffee mug by adding hot water.
- While the mug is preheating, brew a cup of hot coffee and chill fresh cream.
- Discard the hot water from the mug and pour in the hot coffee.
- Add Irish whiskey and sugar to the coffee and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Gently pour the chilled fresh cream over the back of a spoon, so that it floats on top of the coffee.
- Serve the Irish coffee immediately and enjoy!
Tips for how to make the perfect Irish coffee
- Use freshly brewed hot coffee and pour it into a pre-warmed glass.
- Add a teaspoon of brown sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Pour in a shot of Irish whiskey and stir briefly.
- Gently pour cold whipped cream over the top, being careful not to mix it in too much.
- Enjoy while hot and sip slowly through the cream.
Alcohol-free alternative to the Irish coffee
An alcohol-free alternative to Irish coffee could be a hot chocolate or a hot cider. One could add a whipped cream and sprinkle cinnamon or other spices for an extra touch of flavor. Another option could be a chai latte with a shot of espresso. It is a comforting and warming drink that is perfect for cold nights. One could add a little bit of honey or vanilla syrup and top it off with frothed milk for a delicious, non-alcoholic alternative to Irish coffee.
Irish coffee fun facts
- Irish coffee was invented by a chef named Joe Sheridan in 1942 at an airport in Ireland to warm up travelers.
- The coffee used in Irish coffee is typically brewed strong, and Irish whiskey is added to the coffee.
- To make the drink, sugar is added to the coffee, then Irish whiskey and cream are poured on top to create a layered effect.
- The drink gained popularity in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s thanks to a travel writer named Stanton Delaplane, who brought the recipe to San Francisco’s Buena Vista Cafe.
- The Buena Vista Cafe claims to have served more than 40,000 Irish coffees per year since the drink was introduced, making their version of the drink famous around the world.