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The classic Irish coffee is no longer reserved just for St. Patrick's Day. You are allowed to drink it any day of the week. In fact, it's best served when the weather turns cold and you need a little pick-me-up after a long, hard day — or as the ultimate morning wake-up.
An iconic cocktail, Irish coffee was created by chef/bartender Joe Sheridan in 1943. While working at a bar inside Foynes Airport in Limerick, Ireland, Sheridan poured some warm drinks for passengers who were forced to return the terminal due to bad weather. He did so by making them a special coffee, one mixed with Irish whiskey and topped with cream. The story goes that passengers asked Sheridan if he used Brazilian coffee. Sheridan's response (we assume with a smirk): "No, it was Irish coffee."
Making Irish coffee is rather simple, but we have a couple of tricks for you to ensure the coffee is superb (read: sweet, creamy, and boozy) every time.
- Use turbinado sugar instead of regular sugar to help balance out the sweetness. Turbinado sugar is also minimally processed and refined.
- For the whiskey, choose an Irish one (obviously!) that's smooth, sweet, and has just a touch of spice.
What makes this coffee really shine is a brewed cup of Harry & David Vanilla Crème Brûlée Coffee. It's like dessert in a glass. Yes, a glass. Irish coffee is meant to be served in a glass mug, not a ceramic one. Mix this vanilla-flavored coffee with the sugar, whiskey, and a dollop of whipped cream, and you'll have the perfect cold-weather drink every time.
SERVINGS
- 4 ounces Harry & David Vanilla Crème Brûlée Coffee
- 2 teaspoons turbinado sugar
- 1.5 ounces Irish whiskey
- 2 ounces heavy cream
- Cocoa powder for dusting
- Make the coffee.
- Place the sugar into am empty glass mug.
- Pour in the hot coffee followed by the Irish whiskey and stir.
- In a small glass, use a handheld frother or small whisk to whip the heavy cream until it resembles a thick foam. Pour the heavy cream over the back of a spoon into the glass of coffee. Dust with cocoa powder.
AUTHOR
Jason Stahl is an Emmy Award winner who has reported on just about everything from the future of terrorism to North Korean tourism and why Las Vegas is great for kids. He’s interviewed countless personalities from Gene Simmons to Common to Sir Richard Branson. He’s held editorships at WONDERLUST, SPIN, Google, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, MSN News, NBC Sports and Centennial Media. Stahl’s the co-author of 20 Things You Didn’t Know About Everything: Duct Tape, Airport Security, Your Body, Sex in Space… And More. The aspiring deli man lives with his wife and son in Jersey City Heights where he operates Hank Schwartz’s Delicatessen & Appetizing.
