IRISH COFFEE RECIPES
There are a lot of notions on how to make an Irish coffee, and indeed there are many variations on the drink. However, the traditional methods developed by Joe Sheridan in Foynes all those years ago have stood the test of time because they consistently produce the best Irish coffee cocktails. A focus on good-quality coffee and whiskey is of paramount importance to creating an authentic version of this drink, as is the use of properly aged heavy cream – never whipped. And once prepared, Irish coffee is a great after-breakfast or after-dinner drink following traditional Irish food or accompanied with traditional Irish desserts.One misconception about this drink is that a great Irish coffee recipe can’t be unorthodox. This is untrue, as there are quite a few variations on the drink that are traditional as well as tasty. What is of paramount importance in creating an authentic and delicious Irish coffee is the quality of the ingredients. The best Irish coffee drinks showcase great coffee and whiskey. Of course, most loyalists would consider it sacrilege to use anything other than fine Irish whiskey in a coffee drink with the word “Irish” at the front of it. But the dirty little secret is that any superior-quality whiskey can be used to create a fine Irish coffee.
To that end, here are some ideas for Irish coffee recipes that promote the core values of the cocktail (ingredients, preparation) while adding a little variety.
THE CLASSIC IRISH COFFEE
As mentioned earlier, there are many variations on Irish coffee, all of them tasty in their own right. However, there is only one classic Irish coffee recipe, and anything else is a hybrid. This is the same recipe for Irish coffee Joe Sheridan used at Foynes back in the 1940s.
Classic Irish Coffee
6 ounces fresh-brewed coffee
1 ½ ounces premium Irish whiskey
1 teaspoon brown sugar
Heavy cream
Preparation –
Whip the heavy cream until it reaches a frothy consistency and place it in the refrigerator to chill. Sugar can be added to the cream to sweeten but this is optional. Brew six ounces of fresh coffee and add the Irish whiskey. Add the brown sugar and stir thoroughly until it is dissolved (note: the sugar being completely dissolved will help to float the cream). Remove the cream from the refrigerator and, with a warm spoon, place the cream on top of the coffee. It may take a few tries to perfect the method of floating the cream, but it is well worth it.
Tips –
One classic and effective method to floating the cream is to pour it over the back of the spoon onto the coffee. This often prevents the cream from sinking to the bottom of the coffee.
BUENA VISTA IRISH COFFEE
The Buena Vista Irish coffee is a subtle variation on the classic Irish coffee recipe that elicits a bit more of a flavor kick from the coffee, whiskey and sugar. The process of preparing this traditional San Francisco Irish coffee is a bit more involved than the classic recipe, but it is still quick as far as average cocktail preparations are concerned.
Buena Vista Irish Coffee
Hot water
6 ounces fresh-brewed coffee
2 cocktail sugar cubes
1 shot premium Irish whiskey
Heavy cream
Preparation –
Whip the cream until it reaches a frothy consistency and place it in the refrigerator to chill. Brew the coffee and pour the hot water into an empty glass in order to pre-heat the glass. Pout the water out and fill the glass three quarters of the way full with the fresh-brewed coffee. Place the sugar cubes into the coffee and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the shot of whiskey into the glass and stir again. Remove the cream from the fridge, flip a warm spoon over, and pour the cream over the back of the spoon to float it over the coffee.
IRISH CREAM COFFEE
Many people enjoy standard Irish coffees, but there is certainly room for coffee drink recipes that are more luscious. Case in point: Irish cream used in an Irish coffee. Baileys is the secret ingredient used in this particular recipe, which gives this Irish cream coffee a more velvety and slightly sweeter taste than the standard Irish coffee recipes. This particular cocktail goes great with traditional Irish desserts.
Irish Whiskey and Baileys Irish Cream
Heavy cream
Hot water
4 ounces fresh-brewed coffee
2 cocktail sugar cubes
¾ ounce Irish whiskey
¾ ounce Baileys
1 Maraschino cherry
Preparation –
Whip the cream until it reaches a frothy consistency and place it in the refrigerator to chill. Fill a glass with hot water in order to preheat it. Pour the water out and add the Baileys and Irish whiskey to the glass and mix well. Add the coffee to the glass while continuing to stir. Mix well. Add the sugar cubes and stir until they are completely dissolved. Remove the cream from the fridge and pour over the back of a warm spoon to float the cream over the coffee. Garnish with one Maraschino cherry.
BAILEYS IRISH COFFEE RECIPE
This is a subtler version of the Irish cream coffee recipe, but it still packs a punch. This recipe forgoes Irish whiskey in favor of just Baileys Irish cream. The result is an Irish cream coffee that tastes more like a typical sweet coffee drink than a whiskey coffee. This is the perfect cocktail to wind down the evening with family and friends over a few sweet desserts.
Baileys Original Irish Cream
Heavy cream
Hot water
¾ Baileys Irish cream
Sugar
4 ounces fresh-brewed coffee
Preparation –
Whip the heavy cream until it reaches a frothy consistency and place it in the refrigerator to cool. Preheat a glass by filling it with hot water. Pour the water out and add the Baileys and sugar. Add the fresh-brewed coffee and stir the mixture until it is completely mixed and the sugar is dissolved. Remove the cream from the fridge and pour it over the back of a warm spoon to float it over the top of the coffee drink.
GODIVA IRISH COFFEE RECIPE
For those who are in the market for a truly decadent Irish drink recipe, look no further than this Baileys Irish coffee with a chocolate boost. This recipe combines the traditional recipe of an Irish cream coffee with the luscious texture and flavor of fine Godiva chocolate. This drink goes well with dessert but, then again, this drink is a dessert in its own right.
Godiva Liquer
Heavy cream
Hot water
¾ ounces Baileys Irish cream
1 ½ ounces Godiva chocolate liquor
6 ounces fresh-brewed coffee
Shaved Godiva dark chocolate
Preparation –
Whip the heavy cream until it develops a frothy consistency and place in the refrigerator to cool. Pour hot water into a glass in order to preheat it. Pour the water out and add the Baileys, Godiva liquor and coffee. Mix well. Remove the cream from the fridge and pour over the back of a warm spoon to float it over the top of the coffee. Add the shaved Godiva dark chocolate as a garnish.
These recipes can all be completed in a short amount of time. Irish coffee drinks are the perfect beverages to serve on short notice to friends or family during get-togethers or dinner parties. But while these drinks can be prepared in a short amount of time, it may take some practice in order to flat the cream over the coffee like a pro. The good news is that practicing this traditional method is much of the fun in learning how to prepare this Irish classic beverage.