Irish Coffee

IRISH COFFEE is a combination of our two favorite ingredients, hot coffee and whiskey. I always tie it into Christmas-preparation relief or Saint Patrick’s Day. It began in the 1950’s when an Irish airport bartender mixed the two together to warm up travelers. It’s fun and easy to make because it can vary based on the ingredients you have at home. The traditional Irish coffee is just strong coffee, Irish whiskey, and double (heavy) whipped cream served in an Irish coffee glass. Some use a teaspoon of brown sugar or maple syrup along with whipped cream. The other option, my favorite which requires no sweetener, is with Bailey’s Irish Cream (detailed below):

Requirements: Irish whiskey, Bailey’s Irish Cream, hot coffee, whipped cream (optional)

• 1.5 oz. (1 jigger) Irish Whiskey;
• 3/4 oz. (1 pony) Baileys Irish Cream (or 1 tspn brown sugar or 1 tspn maple syrup);
• 6 oz. hot coffee (strong), Robusta coffee recommended;
• Whipped cream (optional if Baileys Irish cream is already used).

If available, pre-warm an Irish coffee glass or glass mug, or just use a coffee mug. Mix liquid ingredients (and sweetener if used) in glass. If double whipped cream is used, pour onto a warmed spoon placed at the top of the coffee line until 1/4 inch cream forms above the coffee line. Otherwise, top the coffee with regular whipped cream.

Comments: You’ll have to taste-test your Irish Coffee for sweetness. As said, my preference is to use the Baileys Irish Cream, which takes care of the need for whipped cream and additional sweetener. But just make sure that your coffee is extra strong if you’re using Baileys Irish Cream, because it and the whiskey dilute the coffee. If Baileys Irish cream isn’t available, start with either a teaspoon of brown sugar or a teaspoon of maple syrup. Then top with the whipped cream. With Irish Coffee, you can wing it based on your preference and on what you have available.