Best Irish Coffee Recipe

Irish coffee is made with two of the world's favourite drinks, a strong coffee and a stronger whiskey, topped with cream. On St Patrick's day, a nationwide Irish holiday, people see a lot of Irish Coffee (and drunk people), but that's no reason not to enjoy the hot drink on a cold winter morning. If you're feeling adventurous, you can explore different types of coffee to create unique variations of this classic Irish beverage, adding your own twist to the traditional recipe.

According to Statista, the volume of coffee is expected to amount to 7,776.4mkg by 2025. Additionally, the market for Coffee is expected to show a growth of 1.9% in 2024, where baristas may see a rise in customers in the future.   

In this blog, let's learn Irish Coffee Recipes to help you become a barista or get your early morning dosage of booze and caffeine.    

Too shy to visit your local café? Join our basic barista course and master the craft yourself!  

Table of contents 

1) How did Irish Coffee become popular? 

2) Irish Coffee Recipe: Ingredients and Substitutes  

3) How to Make Irish Coffee? 

   a) Dos and Don'ts of Irish Coffee  

   b) Modern variations of Irish Coffee  

4) Conclusion  

How did Irish Coffee become popular? 

In 1941, an airport restaurant chef “Joe Sheridan” came up with a brilliant concoction of whiskey and coffee. He came up with this idea to warm up some American passengers leaving for Newfoundland, as their flight got delayed due to awful weather conditions.   

One passenger commended the use of whiskey and asked if the coffee was Brazilian, to which Joe jokingly replied, “No, that was Irish Coffee!”. In 1952 Joe's creation was served in Buena Vista Café for the first time, from which point its popularity grew further.   

Irish Coffee Recipe: Ingredients and Substitutes  
 

Created in Ireland, an authentic Irish Coffee Recipe is not as simple as just spiking a glass of coffee with a random shot of whiskey. It's an iconic cocktail; however, it's not difficult, and neither are its ingredients.   

Ingredients  

The ingredients for the drink are as follows:  

a) Two teaspoons of packed brown sugar to taste   

b) Four ounces of freshly brewed, strong, hot coffee   

c) One and a half ounces of traditional Irish whiskey   

d) One ounce of heavy cream, lightly whipped   

Irish Coffee traditionally uses brown sugar as the caramel molasses notes go great with the whiskey in Irish Coffee. However, it's perfectly fine to substitute brown sugar in the recipe with some common sweeteners, like maple syrup, coconut sugar, or even honey. But do remember that each of these has its distinct flavours and will make a unique finished drink.   

It's also perfectly normal to use decaffeinated coffee for the drink, especially if you wish to make it a late-night drink. This is unless you can have a mug of coffee at midnight and still go to sleep, then all the power to you.  
 

How to Make Irish Coffee  

Place the light brown sugar into a warm Irish coffee glass or other heatproof glass for the traditional look. Add a dark roast coffee brew into the mug for a dark colour that contrasts well with cream. Pour some Irish whiskey into the mug and stir until the sugar crystals are dissolved well within the drink.  

Lastly, take some lightly whipped heavy cream, and pour it on top of your drink. Ideally, your cream should have soft peaks. Use Bailey's for that perfect Irish Coffee. Remember not to stir the drink. Instead, drink the Irish coffee through the cream, which promises a smooth, rich taste. Enjoy! 

Dos and Don'ts of Irish Coffee  

The rules that make coffee Irish Coffee should be followed for authentic taste.  

1) Use Irish whiskey for authentic taste: Jameson is commonly used in traditional Irish Coffee Recipes. However, Bushmills is a less expensive valid substitute.   

2) Don't use a pressurised can of cream: Use freshly whipped cream, which won't break the coffee surface. Get a little heavy cream and vigorously beat it till it has a soft peak.   

3) Preheat your glass: Pour hot water into it, and discard it before pouring in the drink. This keeps the glass warm and helps the ingredients mix better.   

Modern Variations of Irish Coffee  

Some regional and time-based variations on the classic drink are as follows:  

1) Adding a garnish: Feel free to sprinkle the top with some ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cocoa powder.   

2) Serving it iced for summers: use a double-strength brew or cold brew and pour it over a cup of ice; add a glass of half and half.   

3) Lighten up a little: Bailey's Irish coffee uses mainly Bailey's cream instead of Irish whiskey, reducing its booze. It's sweeter, fuller, and richer than traditional.   

4) Bailey's cream coffee: Uses half Irish whiskey and half Bailey's cream and is topped with Maraschino Cherry for an extra creamy and rich taste.   

5) Making it vegan: Feel free to use Aqua Faba or Coconut Milk instead of dairy. 

Conclusion

Coffee is a pleasant drink with various health benefits. Coffee regulates sugar levels, boosts metabolism, improves mood, and Irish Coffee Is no different than any other brew in those regards. Follow the above recipe and make yourself a warm glass of this delicious Irish beverage for comfort, warmth and that extra kick to start your day.