Irish Coffee
Hot coffee, Irish whiskey, brown sugar, and a float of lightly whipped cream. Born at Shannon Airport in the 1940s. The cream should be poured over the back of a spoon and sipped through - never stirred in.
Ingredients
Hot coffee, Irish whiskey, brown sugar, cream
Variations
History of Irish Coffee
Irish coffee was invented in 1943 by Joe Sheridan, a chef at the Foynes flying boat terminal in County Limerick, Ireland. On a cold winter night, he added Irish whiskey to coffee for weary American passengers and topped it with cream. When a passenger asked if it was Brazilian coffee, Sheridan replied it was Irish coffee. The drink was later popularized in America by journalist Stanton Delaplane, who brought the recipe to the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco in 1952.
How It Is Made
Irish coffee requires four ingredients layered in a specific order: hot coffee, brown sugar, Irish whiskey, and lightly whipped cream. First, pre-warm a glass with hot water. Add brown sugar and hot, strong coffee, stirring until dissolved. Add a measure of Irish whiskey (typically 40ml). Finally, float lightly whipped cream on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon. The cream should sit on the surface, not mix in. The drink is sipped through the cold cream.
Flavor Profile
Irish coffee delivers a warming combination of strong coffee, smooth whiskey sweetness, and cool cream. The first sip passes through the cold cream layer into the hot, boozy coffee beneath, creating a temperature and flavor contrast. The brown sugar rounds out any bitterness, while the whiskey adds warmth and depth. It is rich, indulgent, and deeply comforting.
Variations and Customization
- Bailey coffee: Irish cream liqueur instead of whiskey
- Calypso coffee: dark rum instead of whiskey
- Spanish coffee: brandy with flamed rim
- Non-alcoholic: whiskey-flavored syrup as a substitute
Best Coffee to Use
A strong, full-bodied coffee is essential to stand up to the whiskey and cream. Medium-dark to dark roast with bold, earthy flavors works best. Avoid delicate, fruity coffees that would be overwhelmed. A strong French press brew or a double-shot Americano provides the ideal base.
Did you know?
The Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco has served over 40 million Irish coffees since 1952, going through an estimated 2,000 per day on busy weekends.
Related Drinks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Irish Coffee?▼
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Can you make a Irish Coffee at home?▼
Researched and compiled by CoffeeTrove. Last updated March 2026.