How to Make Delicious Irish Coffee
Easy-to-make recipe
The Story
The original Irish Coffee was created in the winter of 1943 by an airport chef named Joe Sheridan at Foynes Port near Limerick, Ireland. As the story goes, Sheridan came up with the recipe for passengers whose plane was turned around due to a storm. He felt empathy for the weary and cold passengers and wanted to whip up a special drink for them. Silence came over the group as everyone enjoyed his delicious concoction.
The coffee became a huge success and Sheridan named it Irish Coffee.
How to Make Irish Coffee
Irish Coffee is made with four ingredients: hot coffee, Irish Whiskey, brown sugar, and whipped cream. Some baristas can make this drink too rich and sweet so by making your own at home, you can adjust it to your liking.
This is a simple recipe and you do not need bartending experience or special equipment to make it.
It is best to use high-quality Irish whiskey and real whipped cream, which you can make in about ten minutes or less if you can spare the time, or you can simply purchase it from the store.
Irish Coffee Ingredients:
1 ½ ounces of Irish whiskey.
1 to 2 teaspoons of packed brown sugar, to taste (You can also use maple syrup.)
6 ounces of hot strong coffee.
1-ounce heavy cream, lightly whipped for topping.
Directions for Delicious Irish Coffee
1. Brew your favorite coffee ~ Dark roast works best. (I use Grateful Earth coffee.)
2. Put the brown sugar in a warm Irish coffee glass, mug, or other heat-proof type glass.
3. Add the coffee and Irish whiskey ~ Jameson is a good brand of whiskey, or a less expensive choice is Bushmills. Make sure you leave ½ inch at the top of the glass for the whipped cream.
4. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
5. Top the beverage with the lightly whipped heavy cream by slowly pouring it over the back of a warmed spoon.
6. Do not stir. Drink the coffee through the cream and enjoy!
Irish Coffee Variations
Add a garnish ~ Sprinkle the top with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg. For a fancy touch, add chocolate orange shavings on top.
Serve it on ice ~ Pour cold brew coffee over a cup of ice.
Lighten it up ~ For a less alcoholic drink, simply add less whiskey.
Make it dairy and vegan free ~ Instead of regular whipped cream, use coconut whipped cream giving your coffee a light coconut flavor.
Make it alcohol free ~ Skip the whiskey altogether for a delicious homemade coffee drink. Of course, it won’t be Irish, but it will still taste good!
Enjoy!
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