Today is St. Patrick's Day, and we want to help you celebrate with a classic cocktail recipe, Irish Coffee.
Before we jump into the recipe, let’s start with a brief history lesson:
The original Irish Coffee was created in 1942 by airport Chef, Joe Sheridan. He mixed the first batch of Irish Coffees for passengers whose flight had been rerouted back to a regional airport near Limerick, Ireland due to a winter storm. It’s said that the passengers loved the concoction and after tasting the delicious mixture one of the passengers inquired, “Are these Brazilian coffees?” to which Joe replied “No, they’re Irish coffees!” and the legend was born.
It didn’t take long for the popularity of this beverage to spread around the world. In 1952, Irish Coffee was introduced in the United States through Stanton Delaplane, a travel writer. Stanton shared the idea with Jack Koeppler, a bartender at the Buena Vista Hotel in San Francisco. The American attempted to recreate the magical concoction but couldn’t quite crack the code. They had to call in the master, Chef Joe Sheridan, and offered him a job in the States – which he gladly accepted.
Decades later, people around the world are still enjoying Joe’s creamy coffee with a kick. Whether you’re hosting friends and family, or looking for some luck after a long day, this drink will leave you satisfied!
Irish Coffee
- 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee (Shop Royal Cup Coffee and Tea)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 ½ ounces of Irish whiskey
- Heavy cream, slightly whipped
Instructions
- Fill mug with hot water to preheat, then empty.
- Pour piping hot coffee into warmed glass until it is about 3/4 full.
- Add the brown sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
- Blend in Irish whiskey.
- Top with a collar of the whipped heavy cream by pouring gently over back of spoon. Pro tip: If you are having trouble mastering heavy cream, use whipped cream instead.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
While there are a few shortcuts, making an authentic Irish coffee isn't as simple as adding whiskey to coffee. Rather, this is a carefully planned and composed drink that should be thoroughly mixed. Once you have become an Irish Coffee making master make sure to share it with everyone you know!
