Invented in Ireland in the 1940s by Joe Sheridan, this recipe dates from a time before World War II. Although there are shortcuts, Irish coffee is not as easy to make as just adding a shot of whiskey to coffee. That said, it is actually quite easy to do, as it is a carefully planned and carefully constructed coffee drink. That mentioned, it requires a bit of care. During a winter storm, a flying boat flight failed to make it to New York and returned to the airport in the evening. The first round of Irish coffees was mixed by Sheridan for the stranded passengers. One American asked, “Hey Buddy, is this Brazilian coffee?” “No,” said Joe, “that’s Irish coffee.” He went on to explain a few of the secrets to making authentic Irish coffee.
The Irish coffee is an iconic cocktail, and the original recipe isn’t difficult to do. It requires four typical ingredients: The combination of smooth Irish whiskey and rich black coffee, sweetened and topped with cream, is truly divine.
Tips
- A thick, strong coffee is what you need to truly experience an Irish coffee.
- Make sure the cream is freshly whipped. If you don’t want your Irish coffee to become ruined by pressurized cream or whipped topping, stay away from those.
- Make sure your glass is heated in advance. This mixture helps keep the drink warm while blending the two ingredients together.
