Irish Coffee

Irish coffee is another wonderful and simple drink to warm you up. This classic recipe is made with sweetened hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and soft whipped cream. There are only four ingredients is this warming hot cocktail.

What Is Irish Coffee?

What a great and yet simple cocktail to have on a cold day. It’s a nice drink to have for breakfast or to sip on in the afternoon. Coffee is appropriate any time of the day, after all. 

Classic Irish Coffee made with just four ingredients: freshly brewed coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and soft hand whipped cream. You’re reading this right, no Bailey’s has ever in the original and true Irish Coffee. Many people expect it to have Baileys because most chain restaurants serve it that way but that is only to make it easy. 

The origins of this heart-warming cocktail go back to 1942, Ireland. Chef Joe Sheridan of a famous terminal restaurant in Foynes whipped up a batch (or 20) of hot coffee cocktails for stranded and cold passengers. Due to severe and story weather, a plane headed to United States had to turn around and go back to Foynes.

Anticipating the passengers to be tired and cold, the Chef whipped up hot sweet coffees and mixed it with whiskey and cream. It was obviously a huge hit and spread around the world famously and has been keeping people warm ever since.

Ingredients You Need

Coffee – it’s best to have a nice strong coffee to go with the thick layer of cream, sugar and whiskey. No wear coffee in this drink! 

Sugar – choose brown sugar, it will add a light hint of molasses to the cocktail.

Whiskey – of course, go with an Irish whiskey like Jameson, Tullamore D.E.W., Dead Rabbit, Bushmills, or any other one you favor.

Cream – before you think it’s too much work, definitely go with the hand-whipped soft whipped cream on top of coffee. I like to add a pinch of sugar to the whipped cream so it’s more pleasant to sip. Hand whipping takes a small bowl and a while, only a few minutes, and a nice arm workout.

How To Make It:

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 pinch of sugar, and whip it with a whisk. Continue to whip it until soft peaks appear. 

Making the cocktail

Brew your favorite coffee but make it nice and strong.

Pour whiskey into 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. 

Sip your coffee through the cream and enjoy it. 

Irish Coffee Variations To Try:

Bailey’s Irish Cream – this version is perhaps even more popular than the original. Try adding some 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.

More Hot Cocktails To Try:

Hot Toddy

Spiked Nutella Hot Chocolate

Adult Hot Chocolate

Apple Sangria

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