Learn how to make a Irish Coffee with this easy, step-by-step recipe! This classic drink is the perfect treat for St. Patrick's Day and Christmas. Don't save it for holidays only though, because it's just as special when served as an after dinner drink or at a festive breakfast any time of year!
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Ginnie's Take
Have you ever had a traditional Irish Coffee? I used to live in San Francisco, and every once in a while, my husband and I would take the cable car down to The Buena Vista Cafe. We'd order an Irish Coffee (or two), then walk along the Bay or take the ferry to Sausalito. With St. Patrick's Day coming up, I thought it would be fun to share this classic coffee and whiskey drink with you. There's no need to relegate this festive drink just to St. Paddy's day though, because it's great year round.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Delicious - The cocktail is the perfect combination of hot and cold flavors, and the whiskey adds a potent kick. It's actually kind of bracing, and despite its look, not too sweet.
- Easy to Make - This recipe uses minimal ingredients, and it's surprisingly easy to make. I'll watch you through the whole process step by step.
- Fun and Festive - Coffee and whiskey is a traditional drink that's guaranteed to start your day off with a bang! This coffee cocktail is so beloved, that there's even a holiday dedicated to it. You can celebrate National Irish Coffee Day on January 25, if you feel so inclined!
Jump to:
History of Irish Coffee
This classic coffee whiskey drink has an interesting history. The Buena Vista in San Francisco is often considered the birthplace of Irish Coffee. However, the original drink was actually created in 1943 by Joe Sheridan, a chef at Ireland's Foynes Airport. Hoping to warm up passengers stranded at the airport, he served the travelers hot coffee with whiskey and topped it off with cream.
The drink really took off though when Stanton Delaplane, a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle, tried Sheridan's concoction at Foynes Airport. After returning home, he and Jack Koeppler (owner of The Buena Vista) perfected the Irish Coffee recipe. And the rest is history!
If you ever visit San Francisco, a stop at The Buena Vista is a must. You'll love the warm atmosphere and the old school waiters almost as much as the drinks!
Ingredients
Now that you know a little about this coffee drink's history, let's talk about what you'll need to make one:
- Coffee - I recommend using a medium roast coffee ... anything too dark or bitter will overpower your drink.
- Sugar - This recipe calls for sugar cubes (it's what they use at The Buena Vista), however you can substitute 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, if you prefer. Use all granulated sugar, or use a combination of granulated and brown sugar, which will add a deeper flavor.
- Irish Whiskey - You'll need some whiskey, of course. I used Jameson.
- Heavy Cream - The whipped heavy cream is what makes this drink special (that and all the whiskey!), so don't skip it. It's unsweetened though, so don't substitute the canned stuff.
You will also need a mug. I definitely recommend investing in Irish Coffee mugs ... they are so fun and festive! The glasses used at The Buena Vista are another option, but glass mugs like the ones I chose work perfectly well, too. Just make sure to use something clear that will show off the layers of coffee and cream.
I used Jameson for these Irish Coffees, and The Buena Vista Cafe uses Tullamore DEW whiskey. Free to use your favorite Irish whiskey though. Personally, I wouldn't use anything super expensive, since you're mixing it with other ingredients anyway.
Baileys Irish Cream can also be used. To make an Irish Cream Coffee, use half whiskey and half Baileys, or use all Baileys to make a Baileys Irish Coffee.
How to Make Irish Coffee at Home
Now that you know what goes in this fun drink, and a little bit of the history behind it, let's make one! You'll find a detailed recipe card below with measurements, but here's an overview of the recipe:
- Make the cream. Add a generous amount of cream to a small bowl, then whisk it until it's thick, but still pourable. I whipped mine by hand, but a mixer can be used. Tip: Although this drink looks like a confection, it's really not that sweet. So there's no need to add sugar to the cream.
- Brew the coffee. Start brewing your coffee, and fill your mugs with hot water (tap water is fine as long as it's quite hot). Let the water sit in the glasses for about two minutes or so. Tip: The hot water will warm up the glasses, ensuring that your coffee whiskey drink stays hot.
- Mix coffee and sugar. After two minutes, dump out the water (no need to dry the mugs). Then, add two sugar cubes (or two teaspoons sugar) to each mug. Fill the mugs ¾ full with hot coffee, then stir until the sugar is melted. Tip: This isn't a very sweet cocktail. If you think you might like a sweeter drink, taste the coffee and add more sugar, if you prefer.
- Add the whiskey. Next, you'll stir the whiskey into the coffee.
- Float the cream. That beautiful, creamy collar of whipped cream is the finishing touch. To float the cream, hold a spoon over the coffee, then slowly pour the cream over the back of the spoon. If you take your time, the cream will magically float on top the coffee.
Okay, doesn't that authentic Irish Coffee look inviting? The first sip is always my favorite. I love the delicious contrast between the cold cream and the hot coffee, and then the whiskey hits you!
Serving a Crowd
This recipe makes one drink, but you can easily prepare it for a crowd, too. Simple line up your glasses in a row and make the drinks assembly line style. Easy peasy ... in fact, that's the way they do it at The Buena Vista!
Whether you're serving a crowd or sharing it with a friend, this easy Irish Coffee recipe is one you need to have in your back pocket for any occasion!
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this coffee cocktail, make sure to try my Iced Irish Coffee, too ... it's a fun twist on this recipe! If you're looking for more cocktail ideas, try one of these next:
- Leap Year Cocktail
- Cherry Smash Cocktail
- Spiked Apple Cider
- Rum Old Fashioned
- Spicy Paloma Cocktail
- Strawberry Mint Gin and Tonic
- Apple Cider Moscow Mule
Looking for more Irish recipes? Pair this drink with my Veggie Irish Stew, Beer Bread, Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie, Green Beer, and Shamrock Cookies!
Irish Coffee
Ingredients
- heavy cream
- 2 sugar cubes
- hot coffee
- 1 ½ ounces Irish whiskey
Equipment
Instructions
- Place a generous amount of heavy cream in a medium bowl. Whip using a whisk (or mixer) until very thick, but still pourable.
- Fill a glass mug with hot water. Let sit for a couple minutes to warm mug.
- Discard water, then add sugar cubes to mug.
- Fill mug ¾ full with coffee. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Add whiskey to coffee.
- Top off mug with heavy cream while pouring it gently over the back of a spoon. Reserve any leftover cream for other drinks.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
I've never had this! I would try it but I'm not sure I have the ambition to make it myself. You make it look lovely!
Thanks, Holly! It's really good. You should give it a try ... it really is super easy