Irish Coffee

Irish coffee is as classic as it gets. It's a cozy and comforting drink for special occasions and chilly evenings, and it can be made in minutes.

If you've ever wondered how to make an Irish coffee, it's much simpler than you imagine. The whiskey whipped cream is an extra step, but it's an easy one and it's well worth the effort.

First, start by making the whipped cream. You can use an electric mixer, or just shake it in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid until it starts to stiffen. Just be sure not to overwhip it!

Then pour the whiskey and maple syrup into mugs, top them with hot coffee and a dollop of whipped cream, and serve right away! For a fancy touch, sprinkle the tops with a little shaved chocolate.

There's really no wrong time to wrap your hands around a warm mug of Irish coffee! It's a great addition to St. Paddy's Day celebrations, birthdays, or holiday mornings. It also makes a delicious way to end the day, as an after-dinner drink on chilly winter nights.

What is Irish coffee?

The iconic Irish coffee is a caffeinated alcoholic drink made traditionally with four ingredients: Irish whiskey, hot coffee, sugar, and cream. It's served in a warm, footed mug topped with a cloud of thick whipped cream.

The drink recipe's origins date back to the early 1940s when it is said to have been created by Joe Sheridan, a chef at a restaurant in Ireland. It became popular in the states several years later after a well-known columnist, Stanton Delaplane, successfully recreated it with San Francisco bartender Jack Koeppler. Stanton wrote about it in his column, helping to earn both the drink and the Buena Vista cafe, a following.

Irish coffee ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this Irish coffee recipe. Here's what you need:

• Irish whiskey – for a classic Irish coffee, make sure to use an Irish whiskey like Jameson.
• Maple syrup – we use maple syrup instead of sugar and the taste of maple plays really well with the other flavors. It also mellows the bite from the whiskey. You can use regular or brown sugar instead.
• Brewed coffee – any hot, freshly brewed strong coffee will work. Use decaffeinated coffee if needed, or if you're making it later in the day.

Whiskey whipped cream ingredients

• Whipping cream – whipping cream is essentially the same as heavy cream and contains at least 36% milk fat (MF). Use a dairy-free alternative if needed.
• Irish whiskey – for more whiskey flavor.
• Maple syrup – just a touch, to make it sweet!

How to make Irish coffee

This recipe for Irish coffee with whiskey whipped cream is incredibly delicious and comforting and doesn't require any special skills or equipment. It's seriously so easy. Let's make one!

1. Beat the whipping cream, whiskey, and maple syrup together until you start to see soft peaks.
2. Add an ounce of whiskey and maple syrup to each mug and then top with hot coffee (leaving a bit of room at the top).
3. Top with a dollop of whiskey whipped cream and serve right away. In the pictures, we garnish it with a few chocolate shavings. Enjoy!

Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.

How to make whipped cream with a mason jar

If you don't have an electric mixer, don't worry, you can still make the whiskey whipped cream. Simply add all the ingredients to a mason jar (or a container with a tight-fitting lid), and shake it until it begins to stiffen. This is also a convenient way to store any leftover whipped cream!

Tips for making the best Irish coffee

Like most recipes, higher-quality ingredients make a better-tasting Irish coffee. Here are our tips for making the best Irish coffee at home:

• A dark roast coffee will have a more robust flavor to match the strong taste of the whiskey. You can use any coffee you like, but freshly brewed is a must!
• We know there are a lot of amazing whiskeys on the market, but in this case, only Irish whiskey will do.
• Don't overwhip your whipped cream. You're looking for soft peaks. To help your whipped cream float, hold a warm teaspoon over the mug, and pour it slowly onto the coffee's surface.
• Warm your mug first. This keeps the drink warmer for longer.
• Top it off with some chocolate shavings, or a dusting of nutmeg or cocoa powder.

FAQS

When to serve Irish coffee

There's really no occasion that isn't made better by an Irish coffee! It is a natural and obvious choice for celebrating St. Patrick's Day, but this warm and comforting drink also tastes great on holiday mornings, chilly evenings, or as an after-dinner drink in place of dessert. Cheers!

Favorite warm cocktail recipes

• Spiked Apple Cider
• Brandy Mulled Wine
• Cranberry Hot Toddy