Irish Coffee Recipe

Let’s warm up with classic Irish coffees! I used to make Irish coffees during my bartending days, and thought it would be fun to revisit the recipe and make them from scratch.

Classic Irish coffees are made with just four ingredients: hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar and whipped cream. Oftentimes in restaurants, Irish coffees are overwhelmingly sweet and rich. I love making them at home because you can make them exactly how you like them.

Plus, Irish coffees are so simple to make. You don’t need bartending experience or any special equipment to whip these up.

My favorite Irish coffees are made with freshly brewed coffee, high-quality Irish whiskey, and topped with real whipped cream, which you can make in about 10 minutes if you have the time. It is worth the effort.

My only twist on the classic recipe is to use real maple syrup instead of sugar. Natural maple syrup flavors play beautifully with coffee and whiskey, and it blends right in since it’s liquid. Easy!

I like dark roast best in Irish coffees, personally, but that’s my general preference. Freshly brewed coffee is the way to go!

I’m partial to Jameson. It’s the brand we used to make Irish coffees when I was a bartender. Bushmills is a less expensive option.

Mind you, I like my coffee black in the mornings, but a little sweetener takes the edge off the whiskey. You could use regular sugar or brown sugar instead, but maple syrup tastes better and blends in more easily.

Gently stir to blend. Then fill the mug with coffee, leaving about 1/2-inch at the top for whipped cream.

I love these classic Irish coffees exactly as written, but here are some fun ways to change them up.

Please let me know how you like this Irish coffee in the comments! I love hearing from you and hope this cocktail adds some extra cheer to your holidays.

Learn how to make the best Irish coffee! To make this simple cocktail recipe, you’ll need hot coffee, Irish whiskey, maple syrup and whipped cream. Recipe as written makes one cocktail; they’re easy to make in multiples!

Original Irish Coffee

Prep: 0 5min0

Total: 0 10min0

Yield: 1 serving

Serving Size: 1 of 1 servings

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 of 1 servings, calories 171, Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 2g, Carbohydrate 9g, Fiber 0g, Sugar 9g, Protein 0g, Cholesterol 12mg, Sodium 11mg

Ingredients:

• 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 jigger Irish whiskey (1 1/2 ounces or 3 tablespoons)
• Heavy cream, slightly whipped

Instruction:

1. Fill footed mug or a mug with hot water to preheat it, then empty. Pour piping hot coffee into warmed glass until it is about 3/4 full. Add the brown sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Blend in Irish whiskey. Top with a collar of the whipped heavy cream by pouring gently over back of spoon. Serve hot.

Best Irish Coffee

Learn how to make the best Irish coffee! To make this simple cocktail recipe, you’ll need hot coffee, Irish whiskey, maple syrup and whipped cream. Recipe as written makes one cocktail; they’re easy to make in multiples!

Prep: 5min

Total: 5min

Yield: 1

Serving Size: 1 cocktail

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 cocktail, calories 147 calories, Sugar 4.8 g, Sodium 5.1 mg, Fat 2 g, Saturated Fat 1.2 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Carbohydrate 5.6 g, Fiber 0 g, Protein 0.5 g, Cholesterol 6.8 mg

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces Irish whiskey (that’s 3 tablespoons/I used Jameson)
• 1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup, to taste
• 6 ounces hot freshly brewed coffee (that’s 3/4 cup/use your favorite roast)
• Whipped cream, for topping

Instruction:

1. Pour the whiskey and 1 teaspoon maple syrup into a heat-safe mug. Pour in a splash of the coffee and stir with a spoon until the maple syrup dissolves into the coffee.
2. Pour in the rest of the coffee. Taste, and stir in additional maple syrup if you would like a sweeter drink.
3. Top with whipped cream. If your whipped cream is lightly whipped (soft peaks), you may need to pour it slowly over a spoon so it floats on top. Serve while the drink is still warm!

Irish Coffee

Looking for the best Irish coffee recipe? Coffee and whiskey never tasted so good than in this classic warming drink, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.

Total: 10min

Yield: 2 serving(s)

Nutrition Facts: calories 289 Calories, Fat 22 g, Saturated Fat 14 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 82 mg, Sodium 35 mg, Carbohydrate 5 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 5 g, Protein 1 g

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. hot water
• 2 tsp. light brown sugar
• 1 c. brewed coffee
• 2 oz. Irish whiskey (such as Jameson)
• 1/2 c. heavy cream for topping
• Chocolate shavings, for garnish

Instruction:

1. Fill 2 mugs with hot water and let sit 2 minutes. Pour out water and add 1 teaspoon light brown sugar to each mug. Pour over hot coffee and stir to dissolve sugar, then pour in whiskey.
2. In a separate bowl with an electric mixer or by hand, whisk cream until soft peaks form. Cream should be thick but still pourable. Top coffee with cream by gently pouring over the back of a warm spoon to form a thick layer on top of coffee. Garnish with chocolate shavings.

How to Make an Irish Coffee | Black Tie Kitchen