An Irish coffee recipe turns any dull cup of coffee into a sugary, whiskey-filled treat. It’s the perfect libation to sip in a cozy pub—or in front of your own crackling fireplace. We’ll show you how to make an Irish coffee recipe that you can enjoy on St. Patrick’s Day (or any other day, for that matter).
Ingredients for Irish Coffee
- Sugar: A little bit of sugar sweetens the bitter coffee. Feel free to use a simple syrup or maple syrup instead so the sweetener mixes with the coffee and whiskey more easily.
- Whiskey: You can use any type of whiskey here, but of course we recommend Irish whiskey for Irish coffee—and not just for its cultural heritage. Irish whiskey has a smoother flavor than other whiskeys so it’s easy to sip by itself, which means it’s even better with other yummy ingredients like coffee, sugar and whipped cream.
- Coffee: Dark or French roast coffee has a very strong, rich, full-bodied flavor. It stacks up well with an oaky and deep whiskey.
- Whipping cream: Since you’ll need only 1/4 cup heavy cream, here are some recipes that use up leftover heavy whipping cream so it doesn’t go to waste.
- Creme de menthe: Green, minty and full of alcohol, creme de menthe is a sweet liquor that will add flavor and a St. Patrick’s Day green color to your Irish coffee’s crown. Buy it from the store or make your own creme de menthe at home.
Directions
Step 1: Create the base
Divide the sugar and the whiskey equally between two mugs. Stir in the very hot black coffee until the sugar completely dissolves.
Editor’s Tip: One of our favorite tips for Irish coffee is first heating the mugs so the drink stays warmer for a longer time. Fill the mugs with hot (not boiling) water and let the water sit for about two minutes. Carefully pour out the water, then start this recipe.
Step 2: Add the crown
In a small bowl, use a whisk or hand mixer to beat the heavy whipping cream and creme de menthe (if using) until thickened and foamy.
Gently spoon the cream mixture onto the tops of the drinks, allowing the cream to float. Serve the drinks immediately.
Irish Coffee Variations
- Make it cold: If you’re an espresso martini lover, then you know how good a cold coffee and liquor beverage can be. For this recipe, simply make the coffee ahead of time, add the sugar so it dissolves, let the mixture cool to room temp, then pop it in the fridge until it’s cold. Continue with the recipe from there.
- Sub in Irish cream: Make your Irish coffee creamy and rich by swapping in Irish cream for the whiskey. Buy your favorite from the store or take a stab at making your own Irish cream. It’s easier than it sounds!
- Use half the caff: Serving Irish coffee at night? Decrease the caffeination by using decaffeinated coffee instead.
- Finish with a topping: A quick garnish makes an Irish coffee feel complete. The toppings can be as simple as a sprinkling of cinnamon, nutmeg or chocolate shavings, or as fun and fancy as homemade salted caramel sauce or chocolate sauce drizzled on top.
How to Store Irish Coffee
We don’t recommend storing leftover Irish coffee. The whipped cream topping will not hold, and coffee is famous for not reheating well. Simply make your drinks when you’re ready to enjoy them.
Irish Coffee Tips
What is Irish coffee?
The classic Irish cocktail (known as caife Gaelach in the motherland) is made with hot coffee, a shot of Irish whiskey and some sugar, then topped with a generous layer of thick cream.
Who invented Irish coffee?
The true origin of Irish coffee is up for debate, but the most common story says the drink was invented in Foynes, an airbase village in Ireland. Late one stormy night in 1943, a group of cold and tired airline passengers stopped in a restaurant after a treacherous flight. An Irish chef named Joe Sheridan decided to prepare a special drink to warm up his patrons. That very night, the Irish coffee was born.
What can you serve with Irish coffee?
Irish baking recipes pair perfectly with this concoction. We love that so many Irish desserts are fairly simple and straightforward to whip up but are still full of flavor and, oftentimes, booze!
