Do you know Irish coffee? This 100% Irish cocktail is a veritable institution on the island of Ireland… Made with coffee, whiskey and cream, its success is such that it has conquered the hearts of the entire planet!
Firmly rooted in Irish culture, this cocktail is something of a star of the Irish pub, as are Irish beers and whiskeys. Fine and tasty, its flavour is striking and comforting after a day spent exploring Ireland!
An excellent digestive, to be enjoyed quietly in the Pub, with a peat fire in the fireplace and a concert of traditional music!
An Irish coffee – © seva_blsv
Did you know? An Irish coffee is a still recent cocktail, said to have been created spontaneously by Joseph Sheridan in the late 1930s in Foynes, Ireland.
At the time, Foynes was an Irish locality used as a landing place for transatlantic seaplane flights between 1939 and 1945.
However, passengers at the time were often stressed and anxious at the mere thought of landing. The turbulence and lurching of the cabin quickly panicked the passengers!
Hostesses found a way to relax them by adding a little Irish whiskey and sugar to their coffee. A simple method that not only proved effective, but was also much appreciated by passengers, who found the new beverage both original and delicious!
It was at this precise moment that the Irish coffee cocktail was born. The drink’s reputation grew over time, and gradually spread throughout Ireland. So much so, that it has become a traditional digestif, often served in pubs to round off a meal or an evening out.
Since its invention, the recipe has evolved very little, and only whipped cream has been added to achieve a better taste balance.
Today, this cocktail has become a must-try, and a cultural symbol of Ireland in its own right. It’s available everywhere in Irish pubs and local restaurants… just like Irish beer!
Since then, there have even been annual competitions in which Irish bartenders compete to make the most Irish coffees in under 3 minutes! It’s a particularly popular challenge every year, and one that gives rise to some fierce battles!
Un irish coffee – grafvision
But why so much success? If we had to describe the Irish coffee cocktail, we’d describe it first and foremost as a hot drink, served in a clear glass, that brings together ultra-simple ingredients: coffee, whiskey, whipped cream and brown sugar. That’s all it took to write a success story.
It has to be said that although the ingredients are not overly complex, their combination results in strong flavors that are 100% comforting (especially when you know the Irish climate).
The result is a cocktail with a strong character, surfing on the strength of coffee and whiskey, counterbalanced by the sweetness of sugar and cream. A delicate, delicious harmony that sometimes gives the impression of enjoying a real dessert rather than a drink. In short, a friendly, comforting cocktail to sip in the pub after a rainy day in Ireland!
This beverage is generally served in most of the country’s Irish pubs, and is drunk as a digestive to finish on a sweet note. But beware, the sweetness in question may actually be deceptive, due to the high dose of whiskey added to the preparation (in Ireland, we don’t skimp on the dose: beware, you might be surprised). You end up tipsy…
Beware of abuse: it’s best to consume this type of beverage in moderation.
Depending on the preparation, the foam is sometimes enhanced with cocoa powder or a few spices to bring out the flavor of the whiskey and coffee.
Note that there are hundreds of possible variations. It all depends on the region you’re in, the whiskey used, and the bartender’s inspiration!
Expect to pay between €7 and €9 for an Irish coffee in an Irish pub. Beware: the price can literally explode if you’re in the city or not far from a tourist spot (like Dublin’s Temple Bar district, for example). Note that the choice of whiskey can also increase the price.
It’s good to know that there are many variations on this cocktail. Some like to replace whiskey with Baileys Irish Cream: an Irish whiskey cream, also very popular in Ireland.
There’s also a rum-based version of Irish coffee… (but it’s a far cry from the Irish spirit of the original recipe).
It’s worth noting that other countries around the world have also seized on this cocktail and reworked it to suit their own tastes. In some countries, whiskey is replaced by another spirit (cognac or brandy in France, amaretto in Italy, etc.).
But there’s one thing you’ve got to remember: it was Ireland that first and foremost created this type of cocktail! The name says it all!
Jameson whiskey – © bizoo_n – stock.adobe.com
Before presenting the official recipe, it’s important to know that there are as many types of Irish coffee as there are Irish people in the country!
The recipe may vary according to the whiskey selected. And for this, we advise you to choose an Irish whiskey. The latter have the characteristic of being distilled 3 times, which gives them an interesting power and aromatic finesse.
Here is a small selection of typical Irish beverages suitable for this cocktail:
This Irish coffee cocktail is highly codified, and must be served according to certain rules. The choice of glass is therefore very important. In fact, there are special irish coffee glasses available: these feature wide-necked stemware, allowing the aromas to circulate fully.
Some even look like mugs, with a handle. It’s a question of taste and style. But both forms are allowed in most Irish pubs worthy of the name in Ireland…
Please note, however, that small glasses are out of the question, as are whiskey glasses. Irish coffee generally needs to breathe, and must be contained in a glass with a certain aromatic amplitude.
Here again, it’s all a question of desire. But enthusiasts prefer to gently stir the bottom of the glass, while preserving the cream on the surface. All that’s left to do is enjoy it warm, and take your time!
An Irish coffee is best classified as a digestif. It is rarely served as an aperitif. Rather, it is used to round off a meal. Once again, it’s all a question of craving, but we recommend that you consume one right after your meal.
Be careful, however, to consume it in moderation: alcohol mixed with sugar can be fearsome.
