Irish Coffee
Irish whiskey, sugar and hot coffee under a layer of lightly whipped cream. From Shannon Airport, 1943.
Served hot · Heatproof glass · Easy · about 4 minutes · about 8% ABV
Ingredients
- 40 ml Irish whiskey
- 15 ml Rich demerara syrup
- 120 ml Hot coffee
- 30 ml Thickened cream
- Grated nutmeg (garnish)
Method
- Warm the glass
- Pour 40 ml Irish whiskey into the glass
- Pour 15 ml rich demerara syrup into the glass
- Pour 120 ml hot coffee into the glass
- Float 30 ml thickened cream on top
- Garnish
Tip
Whip the cream until just thick, then pour it over the back of a spoon.
About the Irish Coffee
Created by chef Joe Sheridan at Foynes airport in Ireland in the early 1940s, for cold passengers off a transatlantic flying boat. Travel writer Stanton Delaplane brought it to the Buena Vista Café in San Francisco in 1952, where it became famous.
The coffee family. Coffee and spirits have long been paired across Europe, from the Spanish carajillo to the Italian caffè corretto. Irish Coffee was created at Foynes in Ireland in the early 1940s, and the Espresso Martini in London in the 1980s. These drinks belong to the after-dinner tradition.
Irish Coffee FAQ
What's in an Irish Coffee?
40 ml irish whiskey, 15 ml rich demerara syrup, 120 ml hot coffee, 30 ml thickened cream, garnished with grated nutmeg.
How strong is an Irish Coffee?
About 8% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 1.3 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is about as strong as a glass of wine or lighter.
Should I shake or stir an Irish Coffee?
Neither. Build it in a warm glass and stir until any sugar dissolves.
What glass do you serve an Irish Coffee in?
A heatproof glass, about 250 ml. Warm the glass first. No heatproof glass? Use a coffee mug.
