Irish Coffee
CLASSIC · IRISH WHISKEY

Irish Coffee

A timeless cold-weather classic, Irish Coffee layers hot, sweetened coffee with smooth Irish whiskey, crowned with a collar of lightly whipped fresh cream that melts slowly into the cup below.

Ingredients
White sugar5 ml
Glassware
Irish coffee glass
Chilled.
Flavor
BODYSWEETFRUITACIDHEATSMOKEEARTHBITTER

Caramel · Roasted coffee · Cream · Oak · Vanilla

Estimated profile

Method
  1. 1

    Preheat an Irish coffee glass by filling it with hot water for 30 seconds, then discard the water.

  2. 2

    Pour 120ml of freshly brewed hot black coffee into the warmed glass.

  3. 3

    Add 5ml (1 teaspoon) of sugar and stir until fully dissolved.

  4. 4

    Add 50ml of Irish whiskey and stir briefly to combine.

  5. 5

    Hold a bar spoon just above the surface of the coffee, curved side up.

  6. 6

    Slowly pour 50ml of lightly whipped fresh cream over the back of the spoon so it floats in a distinct layer on top of the coffee. Do not stir. Serve immediately.

From the Bartender

The key to a perfect floating cream layer is to lightly whip the cream until it just begins to thicken - it should still be pourable. The original Irish Coffee was created by chef Joe Sheridan at Foynes flying boat terminal in Ireland in 1943 to warm cold transatlantic passengers.

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