Irish Coffee Recipe
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The original, classic Irish cocktail features freshly brewed coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and homemade whipped cream. Yes, you’re reading this right – there’s no Bailey’s in the traditional Irish coffee. And that is just the way I will teach you to make it!
I often like to put twists on classics and play around with ingredients but this one, I like to keep classic. Just like the hot toddy cocktail and espresso martini, some classic recipes are already perfect. The balance of flavors in this coffee cocktail is just right: slightly sweet with robust coffee flavor, smooth and creamy and a touch of warmth from the whiskey. Any other flavors would just ruin the experience.
Table of Contents
What Is Irish Coffee?
Irish coffee is a hot cocktail made with coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and lightly whipped cream floated on top. Chef Joe Sheridan created it in the early 1940s at Foynes, near what is now Shannon Airport in Ireland, to warm up travelers on a cold night. Travel writer Stanton Delaplane later brought it home to San Francisco, and the Buena Vista Cafe started serving it on November 10, 1952. The cafe is still famous for its Irish coffee today.
Ingredients in Irish Coffee: Notes and Substitutions
- Coffee – It’s best to have a nice strong coffee to go with the thick layer of cream, sugar and whiskey. Of course, use your favorite so you’ll love the way it tastes.
- Sugar – I love using brown sugar. It adds a slight hint of molasses to the cocktail without overpowering.
- Whiskey – Of course, go with an Irish whiskey like Jameson, Tullamore D.E.W., Dead Rabbit, Bushmills, or any other one you prefer.
- Cream – Before you think it’s too much work, definitely go with a hand whipped whipped cream on top of coffee. I like to add a pinch of sugar to the whipped cream so it’s even more pleasant to sip. Hand whipping takes a small bowl, a mixer, and a few minutes of your time. (Arm day!)
How to Make Irish Coffee
- Add whiskey. Pour the whiskey into your favorite glass/mug. Add the sugar to the glass as well.
- Add coffee. Pour in the hot, strong coffee into the glass. Stir to melt the sugar.
- Add cream. This is the fun part! Spoon the soft whipped cream onto the spiked coffee. Cheers!
- PRO TIP 1: Make your own whipped cream! Make sure the whipping cream is cold and straight out of the fridge when you’re ready to whip it. Pour heavy whipping cream into a mixing bowl, add a teaspoon or so of sugar, and whip it with a whisk attachment in a hand mixer. Continue to whip it until soft peaks appear.
- PRO TIP 2: For an optional extra step, preheat your mugs with hot water before building the coffee. Just fill them while the coffee brews, then pour the water out. With a warm mug, the drink stays hot longer, and glass mugs are less likely to crack.
How to Keep the Cream From Sinking In Irish Coffee
Whipping the cream to soft peaks is what keeps it floating. At that stage, it’s thick enough to sit right on top of the hot coffee, and it won’t sink.
- Whip to soft peaks. Stop when the tips of the peaks gently fold over. Under-whipped cream is thin and mixes right into the coffee, and stiff cream is too thick to sip the coffee through.
- Spoon it on gently. Add the cream a spoonful at a time, laying each one softly over the surface of the coffee.
What to Serve with Irish Coffee
Irish coffee makes a wonderful after-dinner drink, and it’s a must on St. Patrick’s Day.
- After a hearty Irish dinner like shepherd’s pie or bangers and mash.
- With a slice of Irish apple cake for dessert.
- As a cozy treat for a slow weekend brunch.
Variations For Irish Coffee with Whiskey
- Bailey’s Irish Cream: This version is perhaps even more popular than the original. Try adding some homemade Irish Cream (either homemade or store-bought) to this tasty coffee, and of course, keep the whiskey!
- Kahlua: Many people have requested Irish coffee with and addition of Kahlua. Just remember Kahlua is sweet, so watch the sugar.
- Maple: Use maple syrup instead of sugar. Yes, it is quite tasty!
- Chocolate: You can add some chocolate flavor by adding chocolate liqueur or just chocolate syrup.
- Extra Caffeinated: You can make a play of an Americano by combining coffee and espresso.
- Decaf: To go in the opposite direction, use decaf coffee if it’s getting late in the evening.
- Dairy free: You can use store-bought dairy free whipped cream or get plant based heavy whipping cream like one from Silk or Country Crock.
Irish Coffee Recipe FAQs
Traditional Irish coffee has no Baileys at all, just coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and cream. Coffee with Baileys is a popular variation, and you can add it right along with the whiskey.
My recipe uses 1 1/2 ounces of Irish whiskey per mug with about 1 cup of coffee. Each mug has a nice warmth from the whiskey, and the coffee flavor still comes through. Use a little more or less to taste.
The traditional choice is a clear, heatproof Irish coffee mug with a handle or a short stem, so you can see the layer of cream on top. Any heatproof glass mug or regular coffee mug works too.
Honestly it’s a personal choice once you get your drink in front of you. I like to leave it unstirred. The idea is to sip the hot, sweet coffee right through the cool cream, so every sip has a little of both.
More Whiskey/Bourbon Cocktail Recipes
- Espresso Martini Recipe
- Hot Toddy Recipe
- Manhattan Cocktail
- Washington Apple Martini
- Whiskey Sour – Two Ways
- Old Fashioned Cocktail
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Irish Coffee Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups coffee
- 3 oz Irish whiskey
- 2-3 tsp brown sugar to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp white granulated sugar
Instructions
Whipped cream:
- Make sure the whipping cream is cold and straight out of the fridge when you’re ready to whip it.
- Pour heavy whipping cream into a mixing bowl, add a little bit of sugar. Whip it vigorously with a whisk. Continue to whip it until soft peaks appear.Note: you can also use a hand-help mixer with a whisk attachment to make it easy!
Irish Coffee:
- Brew your favorite coffee but make it nice and strong.
- Divide whiskey among 2 mugs and add some sugar.
- Pour in hot coffee and stir until sugar is melted.
- Spoon soft-whipped cream over the top of each mug in a nice, thick layer.
Video
Notes
- Dairy Free Option: You can use store-bought dairy free whipped cream to top off your Irish coffee! If you try to whip milk alternatives at home, it won’t work because there is not enough fat to simply whip it with a whisk.
If you do want to make homemade dairy free whipped cream, you have to get plant based heavy whipping cream like Silk, Califia, or Country Crock. Note that those products are not always readily available, but you can talk to your grocery store to see if they can order it for you. - Alcohol Options: Since this is an Irish coffee, using Irish whiskey is the most appropriate. Some Irish Whiskey brands include Jameson, Tullamore D.E.W., Dead Rabbit, Bushmills, and more. If you simply don’t like the taste of Irish whiskey, you can always use your favorite whiskey or bourbon in the drink.
Nutrition
Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles in November 2019.
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Categories:
Brunch Recipes, Cocktail Recipes, Drink Recipes, Most Popular Recipes, St. Patrick's Day Recipes, Whiskey/Bourbon,All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.
We had this on St. Patrick’s Day and it was so good!
Hey Lyuba, I have never had an Irish coffee, but it always sounds like such an excellent idea. And the cream is looking yummm… I’ll definitely try this recipe after my exams.
Thanks, Noah! I hope you like it!