Fancy something else instead of dessert after a hearty Irish meal? Why not try our famous Irish Coffee? This coffee and whiskey cocktail is much more than a drink and it’s a great winter warmer!

Irish coffee is popular all over the world. It’s often said in Ireland that ‘there’s eating and drinking in it’. It’s definitely more like a dessert and it’s a perfect winter after-dinner treat.

A little bit of history first of all. It’s believed to have been invented in the County Limerick town of Foynes in 1942. Joe Sheridan, the Foynes Airport chef, made a coffee with whiskey for some passengers. He believed that on a cold winter’s day this pick me up cocktail would warm up body and soul in no time - so he had some very content passengers!

Irish coffee has four basic ingredients - a strong blend of coffee, sugar (brown or white), whiskey (use your favourite Irish whiskey) and topped off with some whipped fresh cream.

It’s simply made by putting a shot of Irish whiskey into a pre heated, heat resistant glass or mug. Three quarters fill the glass/mug with the strong black coffee, or you can use two teaspoons of coffee powder and boiling water. Add a spoon of sugar (to taste) and stir the mixture until the sugar has completely dissolved. Then pour a finger-sized amount of fresh whipped cream on top! Delicious! Enjoy and repeat if necessary!

For information on Irish whiskey, take a look at our blog article.

This is the recipe I use. The traditional Irish coffee glass has a stem and a handle so you won’t burn your fingers.

Recipe for Irish Coffee

1 measure of Irish whiskey
1 teaspoon of sugar
1 dessertspoon of cream
Fresh strong black coffee

Pre warm a glass as above

Add the whiskey and ¾ fill the glass with the coffee

Stir in the sugar

Whip the cream and spoon it on top of the coffee/whiskey mixture

Don’t stir it after the cream has been added

Maybe you have a better recipe you’d like to share. If so, just drop us a line in the comment box below.