Traditional Irish coffee has only four ingredients, so it may come as a surprise to discover that the original version of this drink can be hard to find outside of Ireland.
Since the drink was invented in Limerick in 1943 by Joe Sheridan as a means to warm cold, tired travelers, it has gained significant popularity worldwide. However, the recipe in most establishments bears little resemblance to the original, with bars serving latte-style drinks topped with squirty cream from a can.
So, how do you make a traditional Irish coffee? Read on to find out how to recreate the drink as Sheridan intended it to be served.
How to Make a Traditional Irish Coffee: Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow the steps below to create the perfect Irish coffee.
What You’ll Need (Ingredients & Tools)
- Boiling water
- 1 cup of high-quality brewed coffee
- 1–2 oz. of high-quality Irish whiskey
- 1–2 tbsps of heavy cream
- 1–2 tsp of soft brown or muscovado sugar
- Heat-resistant serving glass
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Dessert spoon
- Teaspoon
- Tablespoon
Step 1: Heat the Glass
Much like pre-heating plates in the oven, you should warm the serving glass before you begin. Not only is it more pleasant to drink from a preheated glass, but it keeps the contents warm, helps the ingredients to combine, and dissolves the sugar.
Fill the glass with boiled water while you prepare the other ingredients. Discard the water after a few minutes.
Step 2: Add the Whiskey
Add approximately 1 to 2 ounces of your chosen Irish whiskey to the glass. It doesn’t matter if you’re a little heavy-handed.
Step 3: Add the Coffee
Fill the serving glass about three-quarters full of hot, strong, black coffee according to your taste. Opt for a rich, intense brew made with high-quality medium or dark-roasted coffee beans.
The coffee best brew for Irish coffee should be made using a drip coffee maker or French press. Avoid using brewed methods that put the coffee under pressure — espresso machines and moka pots — strong espressos overpower the taste of the whiskey.
Step 4: Add the Brown Sugar
Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of dark brown sugar and stir lightly to dissolve.
Step 5: Prepare the Cream
Whisk the whipping cream or heavy cream in a mixing bowl until it’s just beginning to thicken. The aim here is to form soft peaks while retaining the cream’s ability to pour. The cream should pour well but be thick enough to float on top of the coffee.
Step 6: Add the Cream
Place an upside-down dessert spoon over the top of the glass and pour 1 to 2 tablespoons of cream onto the back of the curved surface. This will help slow down the pour onto the coffee, ensuring it settles on top of the liquid.
The cream complements the contrasting flavors of the sweet coffee and smooth whiskey. Avoid using pressurized cans of cream (squirty cream), as the taste will be compromised and the layered effect will be non-existent when the cream quickly dissolves into the coffee.
Step 7: Serve & Enjoy
Serve the drink while warm. A dusting of ground coffee can be added to the cream for aesthetics.
Avoid using a straw or stirring the cream into the coffee. Sipping the sweet, alcoholic brew through the cream from the top of the glass is the traditional way to consume Irish coffee.
Variations on the Irish Coffee Recipe
The recipe for Irish coffee is relatively simple, but for those who want to take a more adventurous approach, there are numerous variations on the original — though not all of them are as good.
If you’re feeling indulgent, you could add cinnamon sticks, candy canes, or different-flavored syrups. Maybe you could add grated nutmeg or chocolate powder to the top of your cream as a garnish, or even enjoy an iced Irish coffee by filling your glass with ice cubes before adding whiskey and cold brew coffee.
If you enjoy mint-flavored beverages, you can add Creme de Menthe or Bailey’s Mint Cream. If you’re vegan or lactose-intolerant, it’s also possible to adjust the recipe.
Here are a few Irish coffee variations if you want to experiment:
1. Dairy-Free Irish Coffee
What You’ll Need:
- 1 oz. of Irish whiskey
- 1 cup of hot coffee
- 1 tbsp of maple syrup
- ¼ tsp of cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp of nutmeg
- ¼ cup of unsweetened almond milk
Instructions:
Follow steps one to four from the original recipe.
Combine the almond milk, maple syrup, and nutmeg in a bowl and whisk the milk mixture until it thickens and becomes foamy. Pour the vegan creamer over the coffee using the back of a dessert spoon and garnish with cinnamon.
2. Creamy Irish Liqueur Coffee
What You’ll Need:
- ½ oz. of Irish whiskey
- ½ oz. Bailey’s or other Irish cream liqueur
- 1 cup of latte macchiato coffee
- 1 tablespoon of whipped cream
- 1 sprinkle of grated nutmeg or cacao powder (optional)
Instructions:
Combine the whiskey, Irish cream liqueur, and hot latte macchiato in a glass. Spoon the whipped cream onto the coffee and garnish with cacao or nutmeg according to taste.
3. Mint Irish Coffee
What You’ll Need:
- ½ oz. of Irish whiskey
- ½ oz. of creme de menthe
- 1 cup of espresso
- 1 tbsp of whipped cream
- 1 sprig of mint to garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Combine the whiskey and creme de menthe and add it to the espresso. Whip the cream and spoon it onto the top of the coffee. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
4. Alcohol-Free Irish Coffee
What You’ll Need:
- 1 oz. of zero-proof whiskey-flavored spirit (optional)
- 1 cup of hot coffee
- 1–2 tbsps of heavy cream
- 1–2 tsp of soft brown or muscovado sugar
Instructions:
Follow all seven steps from the original recipe but replace the whiskey with a zero-proof non-alcoholic alternative.
What Makes an Irish Coffee Authentic?
Authentic Irish coffee is a carefully constructed blend of hot coffee, brown sugar, and Irish whiskey topped with lightly whipped heavy cream. The cocktail has a creamy head, floating atop a dark, rich body — similar in appearance to a pint of Guinness.
There are four defining components of Irish Coffee:
1. High-Quality Coffee
A good Irish coffee starts with a quality brew. Although some would argue that very dark roasts can overpower the smooth flavor of the whiskey, Joe Sheridan’s original recipe called simply for strong black coffee, but not espresso.
We recommend using a high-quality arabica and robusta blend, such as SaiGon OG. This provides a dark rich brew that won’t overpower the delicate notes of the whiskey. If you want to try something a little stronger, the HaNoi 100% robusta coffee also works well but more sugar may be needed to dull the bitterness.
2. Irish Whiskey
Traditional Irish coffee is made with traditional Irish whiskey. Although the exact whiskey Sheridan used when he invented the drink is unknown, most agree that Jameson or Tullamore Dew produces the best drink.
3. Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is an essential part of Irish coffee. Don’t be tempted to skip this element. The sugar isn’t just there to enhance the flavor of your drink, it increases the surface tension of the liquid, ensuring the cream floats on top.
4. Whipping Cream or Heavy Cream
The cream on top of an Irish coffee should be lightly whipped to form soft peaks. It should be thick yet pourable. Specific cream for whipping is available in Europe but it’s not common in the United States. Heavy cream with a high-fat content is the best alternative.
FAQs: Making Irish Coffee
Do you have more questions?
Check out the FAQs below to read more about Irish coffee.
1. Will Irish Coffee Make Me Feel Drunk?
The alcohol content of Irish coffee is around 9%. One glass may make you feel tipsy, and two or more will likely make you feel drunk. You may also find that the caffeine and sugar content disrupt your sleep.
2. Can I Make Irish Coffee Ahead of Time?
Irish coffee is always better when freshly prepared. If you let coffee sit out for too long, it may lose its flavor and need to be reheated. The cream will also dissolve into the drink.
3. I’m Not a Fan of Whiskey. Can I Use a Substitute?
A traditional Irish coffee is made using Irish whiskey. Substituting ingredients will mean your coffee is no longer authentic. However, you can experiment and create different drinks using spirits such as rum, brandy, Kahlua, or Baileys.
Or, you can skip the booze entirely and make a sweet coffee with a creamy top.
4. Is It True That Some Bartenders Use Instant Coffee to Make Irish Coffee?
Some bartenders favor instant coffee as its bitterness complements the sweet brown sugar and potent taste of alcohol. It’s also easier to make single servings — a trait that’s desirable if the cocktail isn’t popular enough to warrant brewing a whole pot of coffee.
5. What If I Don’t Have Any Brown Sugar to Make My Irish Coffee?
If you don’t have brown sugar, granulated white sugar will work to give the Irish coffee the sweetness and provide surface tension for the cream to float. However, the resulting brew won’t be as complex. Honey or syrup tends to work better as a replacement.
