Irish coffee

While the exact origins of Irish coffee are unknown, the first known recipe for the drink was published in the Irish Times in 1952. The recipe, which was attributed to Joe Sheridan, a chef at the Foynes Flying Boat Base in County Limerick, called for coffee, sugar, cream, and Irish whiskey. Sheridan is said to have created the drink in order to warm up passengers on a cold winter night.

Since then, the Irish coffee has become a popular drink around the world. In the United States, the drink gained popularity in the 1970s, thanks in part to San Francisco Chronicle columnist Stanton Delaplane, who is credited with introducing the drink to Americans.

There are now many variations of the Irish coffee recipe, with some recipes calling for the use of espresso, chocolate, or even Bailey's Irish Cream. No matter what recipe you use, Irish coffee is sure to warm you up on a cold winter night.

Advice

Irish coffee is a classic after-dinner drink that is known for its unique flavor and rich texture. To make the perfect Irish coffee, you will need to use freshly brewed coffee and high-quality Irish whiskey. When combining the ingredients, be sure to use the proper proportions. A good rule of thumb is to use one part whiskey to two parts coffee. Add a teaspoon of sugar to sweeten the drink and then top it off with whipped cream. Lastly, be sure to stir the drink before serving to combine all the flavors. Enjoy!

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

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Caramel Irish Coffee

  • butterscotch schnapp
  • irish cream liqueur
  • irish whiskey
  • coffee
  • caramel syrup
  • whipped cream
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Pour Over Irish Coffee

  • few dashes bittermens xocolatl mole bitter
  • whipped cream
  • sugar
  • grandten distilling south boston irish whiskey
  • hot coffee
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Irish Coffee

  • hot coffee
  • irish whiskey
  • turbinado sugar
  • nutmeg
  • whipped cream
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Irish Coffee

  • chocolate
  • double cream
  • light brown sugar
  • coffee
  • water
  • irish whiskey
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Gort's Reprieve Irish Coffee

  • whipped cream
  • maple syrup
  • redbreast irish whiskey
  • mint leaf
  • coffee bean
  • amaro
  • hot coffee
  • bittermens new orleans coffee bitter

Ingredient Breakdown

 
irish whiskey
whipped cream
hot coffee
heavy cream
coffee
sugar
maple syrup
hot
nutmeg
demerara sugar
brown sugar
milk
vanilla ice cream
coffee ground
brandy
coffee liqueur
vanilla extract
butterscotch schnapp
irish cream liqueur
caramel syrup
few dashes bittermens xocolatl mole bitter
grandten distilling south boston irish whiskey
bushmills original irish whiskey
turbinado sugar
chocolate
double cream
light brown sugar
water
redbreast irish whiskey
mint leaf
coffee bean
amaro
bittermens new orleans coffee bitter

Insights

Staple Ingredients

  • irish whiskey 54%

Rarey Ingredients

  • irish whiskey 54%