Last Updated March 7th, 2023 at 11:18 pm by Lisa
Just like they serve in the pubs of Ireland, make this classic Irish Coffee any time of year. It can be made with a kick of Jameson Irish whiskey or a dash of Bailey's Irish Cream. Garnish with beautiful edible gold, shamrock sprinkles, or shaved chocolate for one fancy coffee drink.
This original Irish coffee is a simple recipe for special dinners, St. Patrick's Day, or the holidays for an after dinner drink. One of the best ways to relax on chilly evenings is to get cozy with a Baileys Coffee in front of the fire...
Original Irish Coffee Recipe
- 1 cup hot water
- 2-3 teaspoons light brown sugar
- ¾ cup brewed black coffee (6 ounces of hot coffee) or decaf coffee
- 3 tablespoons Irish whiskey 1 shot
- ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream (for topping)
- optional garnish: chocolate shavings 24 karats edible gold, green shamrock sprinkles
- Brew a pot of good quality strong coffee, I like to grind my favorite beans.
- Meanwhile, whip the heavy cream (¼ cup makes one creamy coffee drink) in a mixing bowl, with an electric mixer or by hand, and whisk the cream until soft peaks form. The cream should be thick but still pourable.
- Fill the handle Irish coffee glass with a footed mug with hot water and let sit for 1 minute. Pour out hot water and add brown sugar to your mug. Pour in hot coffee till the glass is ¾ full and stir to dissolve sugar, then pour in the whiskey.
- Top with cream by gently pouring over the back of a warm spoon to form a thick layer on top of the coffee.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings, edible gold leaf (use a toothpick to place it), or fun green shamrock sprinkles on top of the thick cream.
PRO TIP: Traditional Irish Coffee glasses have a handle and are great for serving hot drinks any time of day, like lattes, hot chocolate, mulled cider, mulled wine, and hot teas.
Irish Coffee Tips
This is the classic Irish coffee recipe, a famous Irish coffee cocktail, and is so much more than just a cup of coffee...
- Irish Whiskey: There are many Irish whiskeys on the market. Some of the most popular are, Jameson, Teeling, and Bushmills. These brands are available at grocery or specialty liquor stores. Some people use Baileys Irish Cream in Irish Coffees and love it.
- Coffee: Brew up regular coffee, grind your favorite beans, or use decaf.
- Chocolate: Use a good quality bar of dark chocolate, and a small handheld grater to garnish the top.
- Shamrock Sprinkles: Can be ordered online, and look great on the white whipped cream.
- Edible Gold: Yes, that's right. Order 24K edible gold online, and use a toothpick to place it on the whipped cream. It is perfectly safe and used in all kinds of desserts and drink recipes.
- Glass Cups: You can use any mug, but pretty Irish coffee glass cups really make this Irish cream coffee next level. Irish coffee glasses are a footed mug with a handle and are great to use for many drinks and coffees.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Mix with a small hand mixer or whip with a whisk. You can drop a couple of drops of green dye into the dairy cream for St Patrick's Day. Whip until thickens but still moves when poured over the back of a spoon on top of the drink.
Baileys Irish Coffee Recipe
PRO TIP: To make a Bailey's Irish coffee recipe, simply add 1 shot of Baileys Irish Cream in addition to the other ingredients in this Irish coffee recipe. Or leave out the whiskey altogether!
Irish Coffee Twists and Variations
Warning coffee lovers: These inspirational ideas are not true Irish coffee ingredients. But, these are fun twists, popular flavor swaps, and extra kick additions to the original, and are in the recipe card below. This drink is an American favorite to have as a Christmas morning coffee, to sip in front of the fireplace while opening presents...
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- Your Favorite Coffee or Decaf Coffee
- Spoon of Cool Whip
- Splash Of Bailey Irish Cream Liqueur for a Bailey’s Irish coffee
- Sugar Cubes
- Sweet Finish of Chocolate Liqueur
- Instant Coffee
- Sugar Sprinkles on Pretty Glass Rim
- Chocolate Coffee Bombs
- Sprinkle of Cinnamon
- Dash of Cocoa Powder
- Ice Cream
- Coconut Milk
- Maple syrup
- Grate of Real Nutmeg
- Caramel Syrup
- Simple Syrup
- Extra Whiskey
- Spoonful of Sugar
The Irish Coffee was created in the winter of 1943 by Chef Joe Sheridan at Foynes Port near Limerick, Ireland.
As the weather can be quite cold toward the west coast of Ireland, Joe decided to create a great drink that would warm his guests up and so he created the famous Irish Coffee. The story goes that when an American passenger first drank it he asked “Is this Brazilian coffee?” in which Joe replied, “No, that's Irish coffee”.
caife Gaelach
Irish coffee (Irish: caife Gaelach) is a cocktail consisting of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, stirred and topped with cream.
Edible gold is a 24K edible gold leaf product authorized by the United States and the European Union as a safe food additive and decoration. It's typically sold in small leaf sheets and is used to decorate fancy food, desserts, and great drinks.
There are neither negative effects nor benefits from eating gold since it is biologically inert, and it is suitable for use in food since it does not oxidize or corrode in moist air, unlike many other metals.
More Coffee Drinks and Cocktail Recipes
Whip up this simple recipe for a Pumpkin Spice Latte made with real fresh ingredients, and cozy Fall spices. Top your PSL with decadent toppings like whip cream and Fall sprinkles. You can swap in the plant-based milk you love in this creamy drink, and add some good strong hot coffee or a shot of espresso.
Next time you ring in the holiday season, start with cozy glasses of Mulled Wine infused with warm spices, brandy, red wine, apple cider, sliced fruit, and honey. This recipe is so popular, it was published in a magazine!
Let the shenanigans begin at your St. Patrick's day party, and slurp some Green Jello Shots and Jell-O Jigglers! ☘️☘️☘️ Fun and festive green food ideas and drinks are so fun to serve at your party. Let the cheeky shenanigans begin! Wear something green, and try this easy recipe for delicious drinks. Bring the luck of the Irish into your St. Patrick's day fun with these Tipsy Leprechaun green cocktails!
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Irish Coffee Recipe (Baileys and Whiskey)
Ingredients
- 1 cup hot water
- 2-3 teaspoons light brown sugar
- ¾ cup brewed hot coffee
- 3 tablespoons Irish whiskey 1 shot
- ¼ cup heavy cream for topping
- chocolate shavings, 24 karat edible gold, green shamrock sprinkles
- 3 tablespoons optional: Bailey's Irish Cream 1 shot
Instructions
- Brew a pot of good quailty coffee.
- Meanwhile, whip the heavy cream (¼ cup makes one drink) in a mixing bowl, with an electric mixer or by hand, whisk cream until soft peaks form. Cream should be thick but still pourable.
- Fill the glass mug with hot water and let sit 1 minute. Pour out hot water and add brown sugar to your mug. Pour in hot coffee till the glass is ¾ full and stir to dissolve sugar, then pour in the whiskey.
- Top with cream by gently pouring over the back of a warm spoon to form a thick layer on top.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings, edible gold leaf, or sprinkles on top of thick cream.
Notes
Irish Coffee Top Tips
- Irish Whiskey: Is the classic way to make Irish Coffee. There are many Irish whiskeys on the market. Some of the most popular are, Jameson, Teeling, and Bushmills. Some people also use Baileys Irish Cream and love it but it is not in the original recipe.
- Chocolate: Use a good quality bar of dark chocolate, and a small handheld grater to garnish the top.
- Shamrock Sprinkles: Can be ordered online, and look so fun for this St. Patrick's Day recipe on white whipped cream.
- Edible Gold: Yes, that's right. Order 24K edible gold online, and use a toothpick to place it on the whipped cream. It is perfectly safe and used in all kinds of desserts and drink recipes.
- Glass Cups: You can use any mug, but glass cups really make this special!
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Mix with a small hand mixer or whip with a whisk. You can drop a couple of drops of green dye into the cream for St Patrick's Day. Whip until thickens but still moves when poured over the back of a spoon on top.
Irish Coffee Twists and Variations
Warning coffee lovers: These inspirational ideas are not true Irish coffee ingredients. But, these are fun twists, popular flavor swaps, and extra kick additions to the original, and are in the recipe card below. This is an American favorite to have on Christmas morning coffee to sip in front of the fireplace while opening presents...- Your Favorite Coffee or Decaf Coffee
- Spoon of Cool Whip
- Splash Of Bailey Irish Cream Liqueur for a Bailey’s Irish coffee
- Sugar Cubes
- Sweet Finish of Chocolate Liqueur
- Instant Coffee
- Sugar Sprinkles on Pretty Glass Rim
- Chocolate Coffee Bombs
- Sprinkle of Cinnamon
- Dash of Cocoa Powder
- Ice Cream
- Coconut Milk
- Maple syrup
- Grate of Real Nutmeg
- Caramel Syrup
- Simple Syrup
- Extra Whiskey
- Spoonful of Sugar
Excellent post.
Thanks
This is so good! Love the shamrock sprinkles and gold leaf! They make it so festive!
Oh my goodness was this Irish coffee SO good and so easy to make! Such wonderful flavors and super simple to make!