Irish Coffee
Café Irlandais
Ingredients
- Irish Whiskey 1 1/2 oz
- Coffee 8 oz
- Sugar 1 tsp
- Whipped cream 1 tblsp
Instructions
Heat the coffee, whiskey and sugar; do not boil. Pour into glass and top with cream; serve hot.
Irish Coffee is an IBA Contemporary Classic that combines hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, topped with a layer of lightly whipped cream that is sipped through rather than stirred. The contrast between the warm, bitter coffee beneath and the cool, rich cream above is central to the drink's appeal. It is one of the most globally recognized hot cocktails.
History & Origins
Irish Coffee was created by chef Joe Sheridan at Foynes Flying Boat Terminal in County Limerick, Ireland, in the early 1940s, reportedly to warm American passengers on a cold winter's night. San Francisco journalist Stanton Delaplane is credited with bringing the recipe to the United States after tasting it at Shannon Airport in 1952, introducing it at the Buena Vista Café. The IBA formally recognizes it as a Contemporary Classic.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Rich roasted coffee and warm Irish whiskey, with a sweet cream and vanilla note. Palate: Hot and comforting — the whiskey's malt and the coffee's bitterness are tempered by the sugar's sweetness, with the cool, silky cream providing a luxurious counterpoint. Finish: Warming and slightly sweet, with coffee and whiskey lingering long.
Pro Tip
Float the cream by pouring it over the back of a spoon to keep it as a separate layer on top, ensuring it is only lightly whipped — not stiff.
Techniques Used
Compare Irish Coffee
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