How to make Irish coffee - three simple recipes for a romantic evening

Irish coffee is the only classic cocktail that is prepared with coffee. Its classic version is quite capricious, especially when it comes to putting chilled cream on a mixture of coffee, whiskey and sugar - they like to treacherously fall through and spoil the appearance of the drink. In addition, this cocktail is also the only warming drink in the MBA bar menu; in general, it has plenty of merit. So, the Irish coffee cocktail in all its glory.

The history of Irish coffee

There are a lot of legends and stories about these drinks. And all of them testify to the spontaneity of their appearance, in a small Irish town with a large seaport of Foynes.

The action took place in 1942, in a pub at Shannon International Airport. Just in time for bartender Joseph Sheridan's shift.

One cold day, the airport hall was full of American passengers. It was very cold there. And travelers constantly asked to make Joe hot tea or coffee. This only helped for a short time. And to keep the audience warm, the bartender offered drinks that instantly warm you up. It was coffee and whiskey. Moreover, the whiskey was strong Irish.

Thanks to this tandem, the guests instantly felt warmth throughout their bodies and, of course, they were very grateful to the resourceful Joe. When asked what kind of drinks these were, he was not at a loss and said that he served a cocktail called “Irish”.

Such warming drinks quickly gained fame around the world.

Historical reference

Until the early 50s of the 20th century, an air flight from Europe to America lasted 18 hours in an unpressurized and unheated seaplane cabin - the planes of those years were unreliable, often broke down in the air, so the possibility of an emergency landing on water was required.

To fly across the Atlantic, passengers from Europe arrived at the Irish transit airport Shannon, then they were transported to the port city of Foynes, which had a seaplane terminal.

Marilyn Monroe tries Irish coffee for the first time

World-famous politicians, businessmen, cultural figures and journalists often visited Shannon Airport. To ensure that the respectable public was satisfied with the service, the administration hired the famous chef from Dublin, Joseph Sheridan, to work in the airport restaurant.

One evening in 1943, due to bad weather, a plane en route to the United States turned back. The passengers spent several hours in the air and were very cold; they urgently needed to be warmed up. Joseph Sheridan offered customers hot coffee with whiskey and cream according to a recipe he had recently invented. One of the passengers liked the treat so much that he asked: “Is this Brazilian coffee?” Sheridan replied: “No, Irish.”

Since then, Irish coffee has become the airport's signature drink. In 1951, Irish coffee was tried by Stanton Delaplane, a journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle. After returning to the USA, Delaplane told his friend Jack Keppler, who owned the Buena Vista bar, about the amazing coffee.

After much experimentation with mixing ingredients, Kepler found the ideal proportions and method of preparation.

In a couple of months, Irish coffee turned Buena Vista into the most visited bar in San Francisco, and in 1952, the author of the recipe, Joseph Sheridan, who moved to live in the USA, began preparing cocktails in the establishment. The bar is still open, the record is 6,000 Irish coffee drinks per day.

Irish Coffee Ingredients

There are certain subtleties in the Irish coffee recipe. Here, not only the composition of the drink is important, but also the temperature of the components added in a certain sequence.

Coffee base

The popular coffee cocktail is made from strong black coffee. It is believed that the best base is coffee from a French press, but methods such as brewing in a Turk or pour over are not excluded.

The coffee cocktail is made from Arabica beans (medium roast), preferably Indian, so that a light chocolate flavor is felt. The Robusta variety will be too bitter for a drink with alcohol in it, so it won’t be suitable. The desired temperature of the coffee base is +65 +75 degrees.

Whiskey

Irish whiskey is used for Irish coffee (Jameson, St. Patrick, etc.). During the preparation of the cocktail, alcohol is heated to +35 +40 degrees. The container with whiskey is placed in warm water and thus heated. A glass vessel with alcohol should not be placed in boiling water.

Cream

Irish coffee creamer often uses 20%-30% fat content. If there are no other options, take 10% cream. The ingredient must be kept in the refrigerator and before serving, beat not with a blender, but with a whisk.

Another option is to mix the cream in a shaker with ice to get the right temperature, consistency, and reaction with the other ingredients in the cocktail. If you whip the cream poorly or not at all, it will fall to the bottom in lumps and curdle when reacting with the whiskey. If you whip the cream too hard, until you get a head, it won't be Irish coffee.

Which whiskey to choose for Irish Coffee

Buena Vista uses Tullamore Dew, a smooth blended whiskey that combines lemon and malt notes with burnt and woody notes that give it a buttery, round flavor. You can start with this one, but it is worth trying other brands.

For a classic taste: Jameson Irish Whiskey

The super popular Jameson is the best-selling brand in its category in the United States, so it's no surprise that it's the perfect choice for the Emerald Isle's signature cocktail. It adds a slight spicy sweetness.

For a spicier cocktail: Bushmills Black Bush

Bushmills Black Bush is made with a higher than usual concentration of malt whiskey and matured in sherry casks, making it an ideal cocktail for relaxation. Its notes of dried fruits and spices on the palate perfectly brighten up a cold winter day.

For a richer taste: Knappogue 12 year old

Aged in bourbon barrels for 12 years, Knappogue features round vanilla notes and plenty of spice and fruity aromas. Whip the cream with a little vanilla extract to better develop and complement the flavor of the alcohol.

For fruity flavor: Green Spot

Green Spot Whiskey is aged in both ex-bourbon and sherry casks, which gives it an oaky and fruity taste that combines perfectly with coffee notes and makes the cocktail more refined and interesting.

For super smooth Irish coffee: Teeling Small Batch

If spice and oak aren't your favorite flavor, opt for Teeling Small Batch. Aged in former rum barrels, it is very soft and smooth on the palate. Its rum notes of vanilla and fruit pair beautifully with dark, rich coffee.

Please note: the whiskey must be Irish, not Scottish

General recipe for making Irish coffee

For two:

1. Freshly ground coffee - 4 tsp.
2. Whiskey - 80 ml.
3. Granulated sugar or syrup (to taste).
4. With the addition of heavy, lightly whipped cream - 90 ml.

How to cook.

• First, learn how to make strong coffee using the method you like best.
• Next, heat cocktail glasses. Hot water can help you with this.
• Pour alcohol into glasses. Heated glassware and whiskey will give a fragrant fragrance.
• Pour instant brewed coffee into it.
• Add sweets and stir.
• Place the pre-whipped cream on top of the coffee. Just do this using the back of a teaspoon.

Important! This softens the creamy stream under pressure on the coffee. Therefore, the cream will float there.

You can make another version of Irish coffee.

For a serving for one person you will need:

1. Cream that you pre-whip - 30 g.
2. Vanilla extract - 0.25 tsp or even less.
3. Irish alcohol - 25 g.
4. Yellow granulated sugar - 1 tbsp. l.
5. Freshly brewed coffee - 1 cup.

Beat cream and vanilla until stiff. Add all the ingredients in the form of whiskey, yellow sugar and freshly prepared coffee to the container from which you will drink. Place cream on top of the cocktail.

For non-alcoholic options for 2 servings:

• 2 cups of strong coffee;
• 2 tbsp. l. orange juice;
• 2 tsp lemon juice.
• cream.

Cooking:

Pour coffee into heated glasses, adding juices.

Stir. Sweeten if required.

Place whipped cream on top.

Composition and features of cooking at home

As a rule, this aromatic warming drink is served in bars and cafes. But if you want, you can cook it at home. It’s especially great on a cold winter evening to warm up with a cup of real Irish coffee. Don't worry if you suddenly don't have a coffee machine. This drink will be even better if brewed in a Turk. This way it will retain all its aroma and taste.

To prepare, you will need ground black coffee, water, cane sugar (if you don’t have it, regular white sugar will do), whiskey and cream. Other ingredients can be added to taste, but it is worth remembering that in this case this recipe ceases to be a classic. The quantity of ingredients should be taken based on servings.

Under no circumstances should you use instant coffee; it must be ground and without any additives.

Classic Irish coffee recipe

There is one classic recipe recognized by the World Bartenders Association. It is known everywhere and is considered universal, but even in this case the taste may differ. This depends on many factors, for example, the quality of coffee beans and whiskey.

Classic Irish recipe

To prepare a classic drink you need:

• Water - 80 ml;
• Ground coffee - 1 heaped teaspoon;
• Sugar (brown or white) - to taste, if you usually drink without sugar, you don’t have to add it;
• Real Irish whiskey - 40 ml;
• Whipped cream, fat percentage no less than 22.

How to cook?

1. If you have a coffee machine at home, that’s great, then your work will become much easier. We brew the espresso as strong as possible, if it’s not there, then pour the ingredients into a Turk and put it on low heat, you need to wait until it boils.
2. Heat the serving glass under hot water. Afterwards you should wipe it thoroughly so that no drops remain. Do not allow the glass to cool; be sure to pour the drink only into a hot container.
3. Add granulated sugar into the hot coffee while stirring. This step prevents the layers of the drink from mixing in the glass.
4. First of all, pour the whiskey, because of the warm glass you will immediately feel the aroma of alcohol.
5. Next, you should pour in the hot coffee so that there is room for the cream.
6. Well, the final touch is to add cold whipped cream. They must be chilled, this is the beauty of this drink - cold and hot together!
7. The cocktail is ready - you can serve it!

If classic espresso seems “weak” to you, we recommend trying doppio espresso.

Are you interested in buying a Turk and don’t know which one to get: copper or ceramic? Then this is the place for you.

Don't like caffeine? Then you will like acorn coffee. This is a wonderful drink with a whole bunch of beneficial properties. More details here:

Irish coffee with cinnamon

Required ingredients:

• ground grains - a teaspoon;
• water - 80-100 ml;
• sugar - 1 teaspoon;
• ground cinnamon - quantity at your discretion;
• whiskey - 35-40 ml;
• heavy cream - 30 ml.

Preparation

1. We press the button on the coffee machine to get a strong espresso; if it doesn’t exist, then we’ll use a Turk. Add cold water to the ground grains, set to cook over low heat and wait until it boils. To achieve strength, it is worth carrying out this manipulation three times. But in this case, you need to not let it boil.
2. Here you can experiment. Pour sugar into a glass and pour in whiskey, keep the vessel over the fire (make a kind of steam bath) and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Add a little sugar to the cream and beat with a mixer or whisk. It is important that they are cold.
4. Add coffee to a hot glass.
5. Place cream on top; you can use a pastry bag. If you don't want to work too hard, you can use store-bought whipped cream.
6. Top with ground cinnamon or decorate the glass with a cinnamon stick.

Recipe with egg

You will need:

• ground grains - 1 heaped teaspoon;
• whiskey - 40 ml;
• sugar - 1 teaspoon;
• water - 80-100 ml;
• 1 egg.

Cooking process:

1. We put coffee on the stove or make espresso using a machine, the second option is much simpler.
2. As for the egg, we only need the yolk.
3. Add whiskey and a teaspoon of sugar to the yolk. Mix in such a way as to obtain a homogeneous mass of a light shade.
4. Pour the resulting mixture into the prepared glass (heated).
5. Add coffee.
6. Place cream on top and, if desired, sprinkle with lemon or orange zest.

Irish coffee recipe with egg

Irish cappuccino

We need:

• Finely ground grains - 1 teaspoon;
• Sugar - 1-2 teaspoons;
• Whiskey - 40 ml;
• Nutmeg - a pinch;
• Milk - 30 ml.

Cooking method:

1. It is advisable to use a coffee machine for this recipe. Without it, cappuccino will not work. Brew espresso.
2. Pour whiskey into a hot mug.
3. Add sugar and nutmeg to the espresso and stir. Pour into whiskey.
4. The milk is whipped in a separate iron vessel using a special steam press. The resulting foam is added to the drink.

Coffee with whiskey and milk

We will need:

• Ground grains - teaspoon;
• Whiskey - 40 ml;
• Cane (brown sugar) - to taste;
• Milk - 50 ml;
• Chocolate chips.

How to cook?

1. Add water to the coffee, put it on the stove and cook until it boils.
2. Add milk to a warm glass, followed by whiskey.
3. Add sugar to the coffee and add to the rest of the ingredients.
4. No cream is used in this recipe.
5. If desired, sprinkle with chocolate chips, it’s much tastier.

We've all heard the name mochaccino, but not many know what kind of drink it is. In the last article we looked at it in detail and if you haven’t read it yet, we recommend that you read it.

Maragogyp is a true giant in the coffee world. It is 3 times larger than Arabica, not to mention Robusta. More information about the variety here:

With vanilla

To prepare you need to take:

• Finely ground coffee beans - 1 teaspoon;
• Whiskey - 40 - 45 ml;
• Water - 80 ml;
• Sugar - 2 teaspoons;
• Heavy cream (you can use ready-made cream, or you can whip it yourself);
• Vanillin extract, vanilla sugar, vanillin (optional).

Preparation:

1. Pour the ground grains and water into a vessel, send it over low heat, or prepare espresso if you have a special machine.
2. The next step is to add the whiskey.
3. If desired, add sugar and be sure to vanilla, mix everything.
4. Pour the coffee drink in a thin stream.
5. Top with cream.

European version

The European version of this drink is somewhat reminiscent of a latte, but differs from it in the presence of alcohol in its composition.

What do you need:

• ground grains - 1 heaped teaspoon;
• whiskey - 50 ml;
• cane sugar - optional;
• milk or cream.

How to cook:

1. We add water to the grains and brew over low heat.
2. If you don’t have cane sugar, you can fry regular sugar in a frying pan until it turns golden brown.
3. In this drink, everything is the other way around: first pour coffee, then whiskey and add sugar.
4. Milk or cream should be heated and whipped until light foam forms.

Irish cream coffee

This version of Irish coffee is very gentle and soft.

Irish coffee with Baileys liqueur

You will need:

• water - 100 ml;
• ground grains - 1.5 teaspoons;
• cane sugar - teaspoon;
• Baileys liqueur - 40 ml;
• whipped cream - 30 ml;
• grated chocolate.

How to cook:

1. Place a spoonful of ground grains on the bottom of the Turk and add water, put it on low heat, and stir occasionally during cooking. After boiling, remove from heat and stir again.
2. Pour hot water over the serving bowl, preferably boiling water.
3. Dissolve the sugar in the coffee and pour in the liqueur.
4. Whip the cream and put it on top.
5. Sprinkle with grated chocolate.

Ice coffee with whiskey

Although this drink was created specifically to help people warm up, today a variation with ice is very popular.

What you will need:

• freshly ground grains - 1.5 teaspoons;
• water - 60 ml;
• whiskey - 30 ml;
• cane sugar - optional;
• whipped cream;
• vanilla extract or vanillin;
• ice - 4 cubes.

How to cook:

1. Brew a strong drink or make espresso. After cooking, refrigerate.
2. Mix whiskey with sugar.
3. Add cooled coffee.
4. Add a little vanilla to the whipped cream.
5. Add ice and top with cream.

Irish iced coffee

Non-alcoholic Irish coffee

Of course, it is difficult to call the non-alcoholic version of this drink Irish, but this version still has a place and is very popular among those who do not accept alcohol, but really love invigorating drinks.

What do you need:

• finely ground grains - 1.5 teaspoons;
• orange juice - tablespoon;
• lemon juice - teaspoon;
• sugar - optional;
• whipped cream.

How to cook:

1. We make coffee in a way that suits you.
2. Add hot coffee to the serving container.
3. Pour in all the juices and add sugar if necessary, and mix everything well.
4. Add whipped cream on top.
5. If desired, you can add orange or lemon zest, chocolate chips or cinnamon.

IMPORTANT! Before adding to a glass, the coffee must be filtered. You need to use only high-quality grains and exclusively Irish whiskey.

Cocktails from the Irish, how to drink them correctly

Cocktails were prepared. But you need to learn how to drink them correctly.

• One of the rules is that the layers should not be mixed. You need to pull the coffee through the cream. But without using straws or straws.
• The taste of Irish cocktails is never interrupted by anything. They do not eat baked goods or sweets with them. The taste sensations should remain only from the absolute masterpiece - the cocktail.
• You can try drinking it in a non-classical way, with the addition of ice. Pour whiskey into glasses, add sugar, put ice cubes and a cream cap on top.

In these simple ways you can get original, refreshing and invigorating drinks.

Preparation

Clear the finished coffee from the grounds, or as they are otherwise called - suspension.

Pour whiskey heated in a water bath into the coffee and add sugar.

Add cream to the drink. You can use a spoon or even a knife for this. You need to ensure that the cream is poured in a thin stream and remains on the surface in an even layer.

Coffee Irish cream is ready. You can enjoy it. The drink will not leave you indifferent.

Irish Coffee Recipes

Over time, in addition to the classic, “correct” one, different variants of Irish coffee appeared. The main ingredients are common (Arabica coffee, cream, sugar, whiskey).

Classic Irish coffee is the most popular among coffee shop customers.

Classic Irish coffee

In the traditional version, the Irish coffee drink contains:

• 80 ml brewed coffee;
• 40 ml whiskey;
• 30 ml cream;
• 1 tsp cane sugar.

Ground coffee with cream

Sometimes in stores you can buy coffee with the taste of cream - for example, it is called “Irish Cream”. Many manufacturers have such products, most often these are crushed grains, although sometimes you can find whole ones, and you can also ask them to grind them on site.

You must understand that this is only a flavoring, there is not even a dry creamy concentrate-powder there. That is, you will get a black drink that smells like Irish liqueurs. Of course, there is no liquor, syrup or alcohol there either. The drink will be unsweetened, but the light taste and aroma of the creamy alcoholic cream is still present.

You can purchase this product in most large stores, as well as in specialized points of sale of tea and coffee products.

How to serve and drink Irish coffee

Once upon a time, Irish coffee was served in beer mugs. Then a special glass with a handle, made of durable glass, was invented for the drink. Before preparing a coffee cocktail, the glass is doused with hot water/steam from a coffee machine.

Instead of a lush foam of cream, they should lie in a layer on top of the coffee drink. Irish coffee is served without a spoon, straw, or sugar bowl. The guest does not need to add anything or stir the drink. The cocktail is drunk slowly, feeling the gradually changing tastes of cream, coffee, whiskey. Irish coffee is served with sweets such as soufflé or cakes with mascarpone.