Irish Coffee
Origin: Ireland | Prep: 5 minutes | Brew: 5 minutes
About This Brew
Irish Coffee was created in the 1940s at Foynes (the precursor to Shannon Airport) by chef Joe Sheridan, who spiked coffee with whiskey to warm weary transatlantic passengers on a bitter night. When an American asked if it was Brazilian coffee, he reportedly replied, 'No, that's Irish coffee.' And a classic was born.
The proper build is precise: hot coffee, brown sugar and Irish whiskey stirred together, then topped with lightly whipped cream floated over the back of a spoon so it forms a distinct layer. You drink the hot, sweet, whiskey-laced coffee through the cool cream without stirring. Served in a stemmed glass, it remains the definitive after-dinner coffee cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 cup hot strong coffee
- 40ml Irish whiskey
- 1-2 tsp brown sugar
- Lightly whipped cream, for topping
Equipment Needed
- Coffee maker
- Stemmed Irish coffee glass
- Spoon
Instructions
- Warm the glass with hot water, then discard.
- Add brown sugar and pour in the hot coffee, stirring to dissolve.
- Add the Irish whiskey and stir.
- Lightly whip the cream until just pourable but not stiff.
- Float the cream over the back of a spoon to form a layer on top.
- Serve without stirring; drink through the cream.
Tags: Europe · Hot · Easy
