How to Make the Best Classic Irish Coffee Recipe

Hot, black coffee mixed with smooth Irish Whiskey and topped with frothy whipped cream makes the Irish Coffee cocktail hard to resist at any time of year.

Irish Coffee remains a time-honored tradition and one of the iconic drink recipes. It's a delightful marriage of hot coffee, whiskey, and frothy cream that can turn chilly nights into a cozy, heartwarming experience. No need to wait for Saint Patrick's Day to enjoy this delicious hot drink. It'll make you forget all about hot chocolate!

The Cocktail that Saved an Industry (Maybe)

In the 1950's international flying was not nearly as comfortable or seamless as it is now. Especially at the Foynes airbase, with the bad weather off the northern Atlantic Ocean

Legend has it that after a particularly bad winter storm and harrowing aborted flight, upon return to the terminal in the cold and wet weather, a lucky group of American passengers were rewarded with a hot coffee spiked with a shot of Irish whiskey from the base Irish chef, Joe Sheridan. The passengers loved the first Irish Coffee, and it became a staple for international passengers flying from the Emerald Isle to the United States. Joe's simple recipe is still the best Irish Coffee recipe you can make.

A travel writer who enjoyed the drink brought the recipe to San Francisco where it really took off. Joe Sheridan later moved to San Francisco to work at the Buena Vista Café where he taught many others how to make this lovely cocktail.

In the mid century, Irish Coffee became so popular that many claimed it was the only thing that kept the Irish distilleries going in the economically trying post-WWII Irish economy.

What Type of Coffee Should You Use?

My Irish Coffee drink is really an international affair. To brew coffee later in the day, I love using my Bialetti Moka Pot. This iconic aluminum stovetop coffee maker uses hot water from pressurized steam that passes over packed grounds to quickly brew up a thick, rich, dark coffee with a wonderful crema that is similar to what you'd get from an espresso machine. Avoid using an instant coffee, because it usually makes bitter coffee.

True Irish Coffee Ingredients Are Pretty Simple

Here's all you'll need to mix like a pro:

• Fresh, strong black coffee
• Classic Irish Whiskey
• Demerara sugar (not white granulated sugar or sugar cubes)
• Heavy cream

Bar Tools Needed

You just need the following basics to mix up this cocktail:

• Bar spoon
• Jigger

How to make Classic Irish Coffee

Start by making the soft-whipped cream for your coffee. Pour the heavy whipping cream into a chilled mixing bowl, and use either a hand whisk or an electric hand mixer to whip just until it starts to make soft peaks. Make sure you use a mixing bowl chilled in the freezer for at least 20 minutes to keep the cream cold.

Making the drink is pretty straightforward and just requires a little pouring and stirring. Follow these simple steps and you'll be all set:

1. Add the demerara sugar to a mug (some recipes suggest adding a tablespoon of brown sugar, but I recommend skipping that as it gives the coffee a very different, inauthentic taste.)
2. Pour in the hot, black coffee.
3. Stir vigorously until you see the sugar dissolve.
4. Pour whiskey (one and a half ounces of irish whiskey) in the mug.
5. Last, gently pour the soft-whipped cream using the back of the spoon to 'float' it into the drink for a nice thick layer of cream. If you like, you can add a dash of nutmeg as a garnish.

How to Serve the Perfect Irish Coffee

You can use a regular coffee mug, heatproof glass, or even Irish coffee mugs. I prefer a glass mug I picked up during my travels years ago.

Tips for a Successful Irish Coffee

While this is a pretty straightforward cocktail to make, keep these things in mind:

• Use fresh cream and not the spray-bottle whipped cream, because those are usually made from oils that will leave nothing but a greasy stain on your drink.
• Whip the cream just enough so that it thickens, and stop before it forms hard 'peaks'. You want to be able to gently pour it into your drink and have the cream float on top of the liquid. Let's be honest, the whipped cream is everyone's favorite part of the drink--especially mixed with delicious Irish whiskey!
• Use a good whiskey. Jameson's makes many great Irish whiskeys and you can usually find them at your local grocery store or liquor store for a reasonable price.
• Use a dark roast coffee that tastes good by itself. Many people like to brew up a Brazilian coffee for a rich, strong coffee flavor. If you use an inferior, bitter-tasting coffee thinking that the sugar and whisky will cover it up, you'll be disappointed with a poor tasting drink.
• A large spoon turned upside down should be used for the cream. Slowly pour the cream onto that and let it settle on top of the drink. This is a little tricky the first few times, but using the back of the spoon is the best way to make one of these delightful traditional Irish desserts.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're like me, a shot of whiskey is just the right thing when you're trying to stay warm on a cold night. If you're a fan of hot whiskey drinks, also check out the Hot Toddy, Hot Buttered Bourbon or a B&B in a warmed snifter.

Before you go, did you try this cocktail? Why not leave a comment in the Comments section along with a star rating? I always appreciate hearing from you and getting your feedback.