For over 60 years, the Irish Coffee has been part of the cocktail landscape. From the first version made in Ireland for stranded passengers to version made at San Francisco’s The Buena Vista, the combination of coffee, whiskey, and cream is satisfying on a chilly night. Ready to rediscover that classic cocktail?
Cocktail trends are a fickle sort. While everyone might be sipping espresso martinis, other perennial favorites never lose their popularity. There is a reason why the margarita, Manhattan, and even classic martini always have a place on the table.
As a classic cocktail, many mixologists have created twists on the original recipe. It is more than swapping one whiskey for another. From changing the temperature to adding some additional ingredients, each alternation offers a new experience that drinkers long to try.
While the classic Irish Coffee is a warm, comforting sipper, an Iced Irish Coffee changes the conversation. Given that cold coffees are quite popular, this option is a great swap for the espresso martini drinker who wants something different.
Iced Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
2 oz Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey
2 oz Cold Brew
½ oz Demerara Syrup
Bar spoon of heavy cream
Method:
Shake Teeling Whiskey, syrup, and cold brew over ice. Strain into a chilled mug filled with ice. Top with cream and garnish with grated nutmeg.
While the Iced Irish Coffee has an audience, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey channels the Buena Vista’s secret to a perfect cocktail. The version that is a riff on the original cocktail served in the Shannon Airport has the solution to ensuring the cream has a perfect consistency.
Tullamore D.E.W Irish Coffee
Created by Clodagh Mai O’Callaghan, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey US Ambassador
Ingredients
2 parts Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey
6 parts coffee (strong, rich, brewed, hot)
2 parts brown sugar
1 part heavy cream (lightly whipped)
Method::
Place boiling water in an Irish coffee glass while you prep ingredients.
Dump water and add 2 cubes of brown sugar to your glass.
Add hot coffee and mix to dissolve sugar.
Add Tullamore D.E.W. and stir, pouring the cream over the back of a bar spoon, and serve.
While the classic recipe quenches a thirst, Bridget Albert, Senior Director of External Communications and Host of the Served Up Podcast at Southern Glazer's has a twist on the familiar sipper. The Café Dublin has a subtle spiciness that soothes and excites. Given people’s propensity to crave spicy food, this option fills the void.
Café Dublin
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz Irish Whiskey
1 oz ginger flavored whiskey
4 oz freshly brewed dark roast coffee
Peychaud’s Bitters-soaked sugar cube
Whipped cream
Method:
Add all ingredients except whipped cream to a heat proof mug. Stir until sugar cube dissolved. Top with a layer of whipped cream.
While some people love spice, others prefer a sweeter option. This recipe features maple syrup. Even though sugar is a staple in an Irish Coffee, the maple syrup has a more robust flavor. With the nutmeg, it feels more like a dessert than just another cocktail.
Keeper’s Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
1 oz Keeper’s Heart Irish + American
1/2 oz Local maple syrup
8 oz Fresh hot coffee
8 oz *Lightly whipped cream
1 dash of Nutmeg
Method:
Warm mug with hot water for at least 20 seconds, then discard water. Add all ingredients, except cream, and stir briefly. Gently layer whipped cream over top. Grate nutmeg over top. *Lightly whipped cream: In a blender bottle, add 8 oz heavy cream and 1 tsp granulated sugar. Shake for 60 seconds.
These Irish Coffee cocktails are just a few of the many recipes available. Whether it is National Irish Coffee Day or just another Saturday, this coffee cocktail always satisfies.