Irish Coffee is a warming and comforting cocktail that beautifully combines hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and a creamy topping.
Yields: 1 serving
Prep time: 5 minutes
Irish Coffee Ingredients:
- 1 cup (about 240 ml) hot brewed coffee (strong and freshly made is best)
- 45-60 ml (1.5-2 oz) Irish whiskey (Irish coffee whiskey, Irish coffee recipe Jameson)
- 1-2 teaspoons granulated sugar (adjust to your preference)
- 30-60 ml (1-2 oz) heavy cream (double cream) or lightly whipped heavy cream (Single or double cream for Irish coffee)
- Optional: Pinch of grated nutmeg or chocolate shavings for garnish
Tools:
- Heatproof glass mug or stemmed Irish coffee glass
- Spoon
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat Your Glass (Important!)
Pour very hot water into your heatproof glass mug or Irish coffee glass. Let it sit for a minute to warm the glass. This helps the drink stay hot. Then, discard the hot water.
Step 2: Add Whiskey and Sugar
Pour the Irish whiskey into the preheated glass. Add the granulated sugar.
Step 3: Stir to Dissolve Sugar
Stir the whiskey and sugar together until the sugar is completely dissolved. This usually takes about 15-20 seconds of gentle stirring.
Step 4: Add Hot Coffee
Fill the glass almost to the top with the hot brewed coffee, leaving about 1 inch of space for the cream. Stir gently to combine the coffee with the sweetened whiskey.
Step 5: Gently Float the Cream
This is the key to a proper Irish Coffee. Gently pour the heavy cream over the back of a spoon held just above the surface of the coffee. The goal is to have the cream float on top of the hot coffee mixture without mixing in. If using lightly whipped cream, it will naturally sit on top.
Step 6: Don't Stir the Cream!
The traditional way to drink Irish Coffee is by sipping the hot, whiskey-sweetened coffee through the cool, creamy top. Do not stir the cream into the drink.
Step 7: Garnish (Optional)
If desired, sprinkle a pinch of grated nutmeg or chocolate shavings over the cream for an extra touch.
Enjoy your classic and comforting Irish Coffee! This Best Irish coffee recipe uses traditional Irish coffee ingredients.
Answering Your Questions:
How do you make Irish coffee?
The steps above outline exactly how do you make Irish coffee: preheat the glass, add whiskey and sugar, stir to dissolve, add hot coffee, and gently float the cream on top.
Is Irish coffee with Baileys or whiskey?
Traditional Irish coffee is made with Irish whiskey. Baileys Irish coffee is a popular variation where some or all of the Irish whiskey is replaced with Baileys Irish Cream liqueur. Baileys already contains Irish whiskey and cream, along with chocolate and vanilla flavors. While tasty, it's not considered a traditional Irish coffee recipe.
What alcohol is best for Irish coffee?
Irish whiskey is undoubtedly the best alcohol for Irish coffee in a traditional sense. Smooth, blended Irish whiskeys like Jameson are commonly used and work very well. However, you can experiment with other Irish whiskeys with different flavor profiles to find your preference.
How to make 3 layer Irish coffee?
Creating a distinct 3-layer Irish coffee relies on the different densities of the ingredients:
- Bottom Layer (Coffee and Whiskey): Prepare the hot coffee, sugar, and Irish whiskey mixture as in the traditional recipe.
- Middle Layer (Irish Cream Liqueur): Carefully pour Irish cream liqueur (like Baileys) over the back of a spoon, gently layering it on top of the coffee mixture. Irish cream is denser than plain cream but less dense than the coffee mixture.
- Top Layer (Whipped Cream): Top the drink with lightly whipped heavy cream, again pouring gently over the back of a spoon. Whipped cream is the least dense and will float on top of the Irish cream.
The key to successful layering is to pour each layer slowly and gently over a spoon to minimize mixing. The temperature differences can also help maintain the layers. While visually appealing, this 3-layer version deviates from the simplicity of the traditional Irish coffee.
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