Irish Coffee made with good Irish whisky and strong coffee is a must have for celebrations and cold nights in front of the fire!
Irish Coffee is the ultimate coffee indulgence; everyone should know how to make it! This simple recipe will let you put that extra pot-of-Joe to good use. Hey, who know? You may find a pot-of-gold to go with! If you’re going to go all out and represent the Emerald Isle, have your coffee along side some Corned Beef and Cabbage, and if the kiddos are sharing your Irish feast, make the wee ones a Shamrock Shake.
Irish Coffee
Irish Coffee {CLASSIC RECIPE}
Click the button above to save this recipe!
Irish Coffee Ingredients
- Strong Coffee – You’ll want tan extra strong, extra hot, brew to get a great deep and rich coffee flavor and to allow the sugar to dissolve completely.
- Irish whiskey – Up to two ounces of your finest Irish whisky. We prefer Jameson for our coffee cocktail.
- White Sugar – White sugar adds a clean, straight sweetness.
- Brown Sugar – and brown sugar adds depth – more of a caramelized flavor.
- Heavy Whipping Cream – We prefer unsweetened heavy cream to offset the sweetness of the drink. If you like that fun whipped cream swirl though, we won’t judge you for using a spray can.
How Do You Make Irish Coffee
⭐ First, combine hot coffee, whiskey, and sugars. Stir until everything is dissolved.
⭐ (Bonus Tip) If you’re feeling really fancy, use a warmed glass for best results – to do this, fill a mug with hot water and allow it to warm the glass. Pour out the water before adding your Irish Coffee ingredients.
⭐ Next, whisk or blend whipping cream to desired consistency. We prefer a thick cream that is increased in volume, but still just barely pourable.
⭐ Then, gently pour whipped cream over top of coffee. I like mined added to the coffee and stirred gently just the tiniest bit.
⭐ Finally, settle back in a comfy chair and sip.
Preparation
What is the best whiskey for Irish coffee?
The best whiskey for Irish Coffee is Jameson, if you’re keeping it traditional. However, you can certainly find the whiskey that gives the best flavor for you! Other alcohols added to coffee include Bailey’s, rum, and brandy. All our probably delish, but a traditional Irish Coffee uses whiskey!
Is Irish coffee hot or cold?
Irish Coffee is hot. Traditionally this coffee cocktail is served hot, but you could totally serve it iced! Just make sure the sugars are stirred and dissolved into the coffee before adding the alcohol, ice, and cream.
You could even make a pitcher ahead and store it in the refrigerator.
Can you microwave Irish coffee?
You can microwave Irish Coffee to get the coffee hot before adding in the ingredients, but should add the whipped cream at the end after prepping the hot drink.
How do you get the cream to stay on top of the coffee?
You get the cream to stay on top of your Irish Coffee by pouring slowly onto the coffee over the back of a spoon. It make take a few tries, but what a presentation when you’ve nailed it!
Make sure your cream is thick enough to float, but still thin enough to pour. This is half the battle.
How do you drink an Irish coffee?
A traditional Irish coffee is meant to be sipped and enjoyed through the cream – never stirred to mix the cream and coffee in the mug. I’ll admit, occasionally I stir mine. I like to live on the edge.
Can you make Irish coffee ahead of time?
You can make it ahead of time, with the exception of the cream. Prepare the the coffee, sugars, and whisky, then store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy. You can stir in some heavy cream and enjoy cold, or heat up the coffee and then pour the cream over top before serving.
Frequently asked questions
What does Irish coffee taste like?
Irish Coffee tastes like a sweet boozy coffee drink. It has a deep rich flavor from the strong coffee, a sweet flavor from the two kind of sugar, and a satisfying full mouth feel from the heavy cream. For coffee drinkers, it’s the ultimate indulgence.
If you want a boozy Irish drink, but don’t care for coffee, try a Shamrock Shake with a shot of Irish whisky!
Is Irish coffee good for health?
Irish Coffee, although not “healthy” per se, does contain coffee and whiskey, both of which have some health benefits when consumed in moderation. Coffee provides an energy boost and may offer protection against some long term diseases, and small amounts of alcohol act as vasodilators, increasing blood flow. The key, however, is moderation!
If we’re talking about the health of your soul – well, then a hot drink with a good book or a dear friend is always healthy.
Is Irish coffee really Irish?
It is Irish, as it was invented by Joe Sheridan in the small village of Foynes in west Ireland. They were nice enough to share it with the rest of the world. This hot coffee cocktail is a favorite in Irish pubs and is said to go neck in neck with the ever popular stout.
When is National Irish Coffee Day?
National Irish Coffee Day is January 25th. Yes, that’s a thing!
What Is An Irish Coffee Mug
An Irish Coffee mug is a glass mug with a squat stem that elevates the drink off of the counter top. Although not traditional, you can serve yours in a regular mug or pretty glass.
Nutrition
How do you make Irish coffee without alcohol?
You can make an Irish Coffee without alcohol by using a about a 1/4 teaspoon of rum extract stirred into the coffee. Or just prepare it without any coffee, the flavor won’t be exact, but it will still be delicious.
Is Irish coffee keto?
It can be keto, if you use a substitute sweetener to the sugars. The alcohol adds a small amount (<1g) of carbs, and the coffee and cream have no carbs.
Serving suggestions
More Irish inspired dishes
More delicious coffee recipes
Tools we love
- Keurig coffee maker – Confession: we actually have two Keurig’s in our house. One in the kitchen and one in the office. This single brew machine makes a damn fine cup of coffee, and quickly. Also, it’s super cute. Mine are turquoise (in the office) and retro blue (in the kitchen).
- Stick blender – Possibly the most used gadget in my entire kitchen. The key to making a hand blender useful versus a giant pain in the butt is to rinse it immediately after using. That way you’re never trying to get crusty dried goop out from under the blades.
- Electric mixer – I love love love love love (x’s 100) my stand mixer. Really and truly. But my daily work horse is this handheld electric mixer. It even comes in allll the colors. Which, yay!
- Double wall insulated wine glasses – Okay, this one’s not really a gadget so much as something I find really useful in a hot kitchen. I can pour my cold wine or beer into one of these cute glasses and forget I did for hours. When I finally wander back, it’s still cold and ready for me. I’ve even sat it next to my flaming hot grill while I make burgers, and it doesn’t turn into warm beer soup!
Get our FREE Easy Casseroles Ebook!
Follow us below!Use #mamalovesfood on Instagram!
How To Make Irish Coffee
Irish Coffee
Ingredients
- 10 ounces strong coffee
- 1 shot Irish whiskey 1 - 2 ounces
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3 ounces heavy whipping cream unsweetened
Instructions
- Combine coffee, whiskey, and sugars. Stir until everything is dissolved.
- Whisk or blend whipping cream to desired consistency. We prefer a thick cream that is increased in volume, but still pourable.
- Gently pour whipped cream over top of coffee.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Irish Coffee {CLASSIC RECIPE}
Click the button above to save this recipe!
If you don’t want to make your own, the rumor is the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco makes the best Irish Coffee outside of Ireland. Have you tried it?
Alli says
This is the coffee I have to have!! So stinking good!
Valentina says
I love coffee! Great coffee recipe!
Kellie Hemmerly says
This is the PERFECT recipe for Irish Coffee….totally authentic and easy to make.
Becky Hardin says
Oh hello! I need this coffee in my life!