Irish Coffee

Whiskey · Irish coffee mug

Joe Sheridan's 1943 Foynes Airport creation — hot coffee, Irish whiskey, brown sugar, and a float of softly-whipped cream. The cream must float.

GlassIrish coffee mug
GarnishNone
ABV10%
Categorydessert
Flavorcoffee, creamy, warm, dessert

Ingredients

  • Irish Whiskey1.5 oz
  • Hot Brewed Coffee4 oz
  • Brown Sugar1 tsp
  • Softly Whipped Cream1 oz

Method

  1. Warm stemmed Irish coffee mug with hot water, then empty
  2. Add whiskey and brown sugar
  3. Fill with hot coffee and stir to dissolve
  4. Float softly whipped cream over back of spoon

Pro Tips

  • Softly-whipped cream (just past pourable) is what makes it float; stiff whipped cream sinks.
  • Warm the mug with hot water first, dump it, then build — cold glass kills the coffee's aromatics.
  • Jameson is traditional but Redbreast 12 is transcendent if you're willing.