☘️ Irish Coffee

The perfect union of coffee, whiskey, and cream

🇮🇪 Irish Whiskey

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat a stemmed glass or Irish coffee mug by filling with hot water, then emptying.
  2. Add brown sugar and hot coffee, stirring until sugar dissolves.
  3. Add Irish whiskey and stir gently to combine.
  4. Float lightly whipped cream on top by pouring over the back of a spoon. Do not stir – drink the coffee through the cream.

Pro Tips

📜 History

Created by Joe Sheridan at Foynes Port in Ireland in 1943 to warm weary transatlantic travelers. Brought to America by travel writer Stanton Delaplane and perfected at San Francisco's Buena Vista Cafe in 1952.

🥛 The Cream

The cream should be lightly whipped – just until it starts to thicken but still pourable. It should float on top and not sink. Never use whipped cream from a can.

☕ Coffee Quality

Use good, fresh-brewed coffee – not espresso, which can be too bitter. A medium roast works best. The coffee should be hot but not scalding.

🥃 How to Drink It

Don't stir the cream in! The proper technique is to sip the hot, sweet whiskey-coffee through the cold cream. The temperature and texture contrast is the magic.

← Back to Whiskey Cocktails