History of Irish Coffee
Irish Coffee is a classic cocktail that combines coffee, whiskey, sugar, and cream. Its story began in the 1940s in Ireland when chef Joe Sheridan at a restaurant in Foynes Airport decided to warm up transatlantic passengers with a drink that blended invigorating coffee and strong alcohol.
Legend has it that one of the passengers asked if it was “Brazilian coffee,” to which Sheridan replied: “No, it’s Irish coffee!” The drink quickly gained popularity and became part of Irish culture. Later, in 1952, the recipe was introduced in the United States, where a bartender in San Francisco perfected its presentation by adding whipped cream.
Classic Irish Coffee Recipe
Ingredients:
- Coffee (freshly brewed) – 120 ml
- Irish whiskey – 40 ml
- Brown sugar – 1-2 teaspoons
- Cream (heavy, lightly whipped) – 30 ml
Instructions:
- Prepare the glass: Use a stemmed glass, rinsed with hot water to keep the drink warm.
- Mix the base: Pour hot coffee into the glass, add sugar, and stir until fully dissolved.
- Add whiskey: Pour in the Irish whiskey and stir gently.
- Add cream: Carefully spoon the lightly whipped cream over the drink so it floats on top, creating a contrast between the dark coffee and the white cream layer.
- Do not stir: Drink through the cream to enjoy the rich taste of coffee and whiskey with the smoothness of cream.
Tips:
- For authenticity, use Irish whiskey such as Jameson or Bushmills.
- To make the cream float, lightly whip it and pour it slowly over a spoon angled toward the sides of the glass.
Enjoy and savor this warm classic on cozy evenings!
