The love affair between coffee and whiskey has given rise to the magnificent Irish Coffee, a very popular alcoholic drink that can add warmth to your cold nights. Classic Irish coffee certainly is not everyone’s cup of tea because it’s extremely sweet in flavor. But, if you enjoy a deliciously sweet, coffee-flavored, boozy drink, this will delight your senses. It’s an extremely easy drink to make and by the end of this guide on how to make classic Irish coffee, you’ll become a pro!
The Origin Tale Of Irish Coffee
Not only interesting in flavors, but classic Irish coffee also has a pretty interesting history. As the popular phrase goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention”, and it’s pretty apt in the origin story of Irish coffee. As the name suggests, classic Irish coffee originated in Ireland. Irish coffee was first made in 1943 by an airport chef named Joe Sheridan. A chef at the flying boat terminal in Foynes, he whipped it up to cheer up some unhappy passengers.
Flying boats were big aircraft that flew low over the ocean, as a result of which they were highly susceptible to rough weather conditions. When Foynes got word of a flying boat that had to turn back due to rough weather, all the staff and chefs prepared food and drinks for the tired passengers that would soon arrive. This is where Sheridan’s famous invention was first thought up – he decided to pour some whiskey into coffee to warm up the weary passengers.
He took the recipe with him when he moved to Shannon Airport and continued to serve it there. The drink was tasted by a US-based travel writer named Stanton Delaplane at the airport in 1951, and we all know what happens when an American takes a liking to something! Delaplane took the recipe to America, and the rest is history!
Also Read: Difference Between Single Malt And Blended Whiskeys
How To Make Classic Irish Coffee
There are two recipes you can follow when making a classic Irish coffee. One’s the easier one with basic ingredients, while the other is the 100% original recipe that we’ve chosen to mention. Take your pick and go ahead!
Original Classic Version: Ingredients To Gather
- A Foynes Irish coffee glass or an Irish coffee mug (made from clear glass, with a squat stem and base)
- Boiling water
- Brown sugar (1 tsp)
- Irish whiskey
- Hot, strong coffee
- Lightly whipped cream
Steps To Follow
- Preheat the mug by pouring boiling hot water into it; pour the water out after 5 seconds.
- Add in the brown sugar and a “good measure” (we leave this measure up to you, as the original suggests!) of Irish whiskey into the mug.
- Pour in your hot coffee until it’s 1 cm below the brim. Stir well so the sugar dissolves.
- Pour in your lightly whipped cream. The original suggests pouring it on the back of a spoon so it rests gently atop the coffee.
- Avoid stirring in the cream, since the coffee is best enjoyed by sipping on the boozy coffee through the cream. Enjoy!
Easy Classic Version: Ingredients To Gather
- Irish whiskey (3 tsp)
- Hot coffee (One cup)
- Brown sugar (1 tsp)
- Whipped cream
- An Irish coffee mug or any similar glass
Steps To Follow
- Start with brewing your favorite coffee. (If you have dark roasted coffee, go for that.)
- Pour your freshly brewed coffee into the mug.
- Add some brown sugar to the coffee.
- Stir it gently.
- Now, pour whiskey into the mug (Jameson is a pretty popular choice of Irish whiskey for Irish coffee, but you can also explore cheaper options).
- Lastly, add the whipped cream on top.
- Ta-da! Your rich classic Irish coffee is ready to be consumed.
(Tip: You can always garnish your Irish coffee with nutmeg or cinnamon. If you aren’t a fan of sugar, you can go for maple syrup or even keep it black.)
Also Read: Understanding Whiskey Types Like A Beginner
Summing Up
The simplicity is the biggest strength of Irish coffee and is one of the prime reasons behind its popularity. You can definitely jazz up your classic Irish coffee but as they say, trends come and go but the classic remains. We hope that our article taught you enough so you can go ahead and start making this delicious Irish coffee!
FAQs
What Is The Difference Between Irish Coffee And Baileys & Coffee?
Irish coffee is made with coffee, sugar, whiskey, and cream while Baileys coffee is a slightly different version of it. Instead of cream and sugar, Baileys coffee is made using Baileys Irish Cream.
What Whiskey Do You Use For Irish Coffee?
The name of the cocktail has ‘Irish’ in it so what’s better than using an Irish whiskey? Jameson is a pretty popular choice among bartenders but it is pretty expensive. Bushmills and Green Spot are also very popular whiskey options but you can use any whiskey from your counter.
How Do You Pour Cream Into Irish Coffee?
Once you fill your mug with blended coffee, sugar, and whiskey, keep ¼ of the glass empty. You will need to pour the whipped cream over the back of a spoon. It’s the ideal way since the cream floats over coffee without breaking into it. We will advise you to not stir the drink afterward so the cream stays on top.
Can You Get Drunk On Irish Coffee?
No, you can’t get drunk on Irish coffee. The alcohol percentage in the drink is really low so it might not give you a buzz but it will definitely make you happy and warm.
Do The Irish Put Milk In Their Tea?
Yes, in fact, dairy products are pretty popular in Irish culture. Irish teas are generally pretty strong so people use milk to balance the flavors out.
Is Irish Coffee Good For Health?
Irish coffee is a delicious drink that will certainly give you the right boost. It has caffeine and whiskey, along with sugar and cream that balance the flavors perfectly. Neither the caffeine nor the whiskey is too overpowering in this drink, so it doesn’t cause much harm. Just don’t consume it regularly and you will be good to go.
When Should I Drink Irish Coffee?
If you enjoy whiskey and coffee, any hour is good to have a cup of Irish coffee. Irish coffee will be especially ideal to start your morning or to end your cold winter night.
What Is The National Drink Of Ireland?
Guinness is one of the most popular drinks in Ireland, and is its national drink as well! A dark Irish stout, this type of beer can be found in practically every pub and bar in Ireland. Irish coffee, Irish whisky, and Poland vodka are also pretty popular drinks in Ireland.
