The origins of Irish Coffee can be traced back to the mid-20th century in Ireland, where it was first served as a warming gesture to transatlantic travelers.
Creation at Foynes Airbase:
The story of Irish Coffee begins in the 1940s at Foynes Airbase in County Limerick, Ireland. Chef Joe Sheridan is credited with creating the first Irish Coffee as a way to comfort and warm passengers who experienced harsh weather during their transatlantic flights.
The cocktail’s popularity grew, and it soon became a staple at the Shannon Airport in Ireland, where Sheridan continued to serve it to travelers seeking respite from the cold.
Arrives in the United States:
The popularity of Irish Coffee crossed the Atlantic when Stanton Delaplane, a travel writer, encountered the beverage at the Shannon Airport. Inspired by its comforting warmth, he brought the recipe back to the United States.
The Buena Vista Café in San Francisco is credited with introducing Irish Coffee to the American public in the 1950s. The café’s owner, Jack Koeppler, worked with Delaplane to recreate the drink, and the rest is history.
Irish Coffee Ingredients
- Hot Coffee (180 ml / 6 ounces): The foundation of Irish Coffee is a robust and freshly brewed hot coffee.
- Irish Whiskey (60 ml / 2 ounces): Irish whiskey, known for its smooth character.
- Brown Sugar (15 ml / 0.5 ounce): Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness and richness to the Irish Coffee.
- Fresh Cream (45 ml / 1.5 ounces): Fresh cream, gently whipped but not fully stiff, crowns the cocktail.
Irish Coffee Recipe
Step 1: Brew a Strong Coffee
- Start by brewing a strong and flavorful coffee. Espresso or dark roast coffee works well, providing a robust base for the Irish Coffee.
Step 2: Preheat the Glass
- Preheat the glass by filling it with hot water. This ensures that the finished Irish Coffee stays warm for a more enjoyable drinking experience.
Step 3: Measure and Add Irish Whiskey
- Discard the hot water from the preheated glass and measure 60 ml (2 ounces) of Irish whiskey. Pour the whiskey into the warmed glass.
Step 4: Add Brown Sugar
- Add 15 ml (0.5 ounce) of brown sugar to the glass. Adjust the amount based on your sweetness preference. Stir the mixture to dissolve the sugar in the whiskey.
Step 5: Pour in the Hot Coffee
- Fill the glass with the strong brewed coffee, leaving a small space at the top to accommodate the whipped cream.
Step 6: Whip the Fresh Cream
- Gently whip 45 ml (1.5 ounces) of fresh cream until it thickens slightly but is still pourable. The cream should float on top of the coffee rather than fully blending.
Step 7: Float the Cream on Top
- Using the back of a spoon, float the whipped cream on top of the coffee by pouring it over the back of the spoon. This creates a distinct layer of cream that adds a luxurious touch to the cocktail.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy Warm
- Serve the Irish Coffee immediately while it’s warm. The contrast between the hot coffee, rich whiskey, and cool whipped cream creates a delightful and comforting experience.
Irish Coffee: A Ritual of Comfort
The Irish Coffee, a delightful blend of coffee and Irish whiskey topped with brown sugar and lightly whipped cream, has secured its place as a beloved classic cocktail. Whether enjoyed as a warming treat on chilly mornings or as a pick-me-up after a long day, its creamy texture and rich flavor never fail to satisfy.
The origins of the Irish Coffee are steeped in legend, with the most plausible story tracing it back to Joe Sheridan, the head chef at the Foynes Flying Boat terminal in County Limerick during the early 1940s. Sheridan concocted the drink to add a touch of Irish hospitality to the terminal’s coffee, earning it the playful name “Irish coffee” when asked about its origin.
The drink gained widespread recognition thanks to Stanton Delaplane, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the “San Francisco Chronicle,” who encountered it during a visit to Ireland. Delaplane and the owner of San Francisco’s Buena Vista Cafe, Jack Koeppler, successfully recreated the beverage, sparking its popularity across the United States. Today, the Buena Vista Cafe serves thousands of Irish Coffees daily, showcasing the enduring allure of this delightful blend of whiskey, coffee, and cream.
Cheers to the art of crafting cocktails and the enduring tradition of the Irish Coffee, one of the best whiskey cocktails for a pick me up in the morning or evening!
