How to Make A Traditional Irish Coffee Authentic Irish Coffee Recipe: Craft the Perfect Whiskey Coffee Cocktail

A traditional Irish coffee will warm your entire body on a cold winter day. Making an Irish coffee using this whiskey coffee cocktail recipe is sure to become your go-to cold weather drink of choice!

Why We Love Making Irish Coffees

There are so many reasons to love an Irish coffee cocktail, and one reason they're loved in our house is because they are the quintessential cold weather cocktail. Whether needed a warm beverage after a day of shoveling snow, or hitting the ski slopes, the combination of whiskey, coffee, brown sugar and cream is guaranteed to help you relax into the evening.

What is an Irish Coffee?

An Irish coffee is a coffee with Irish whiskey, brown sugar and heavy cream. The origins of this drink differ depending on who you ask, but it was created in the mid-1900s in Ireland, and is now served in nearly every bar and restaurant around the country. 

I had my first Irish coffee in 2013 on my second trip to Ireland, and I’ve been hooked since. I don’t make the cocktail often, but when I do, I’m instantly taken back to a tiny, dark Irish pub, sitting on a short stool in a snug, sipping sweetened coffee with a kick. 

Do I need special Irish Coffee Glasses?

Traditional Irish coffees are made in a clear stemmed glass coffee mug. I’m not sure why this is the glassware of choice, but every Irish whiskey I had in Ireland, was served in a clear stemmed glass. I had some difficulty finding mine, and ended up finding them on Amazon, here.

If you're not concerned about authenticity and know your Irish coffee will taste good with or without a glass mug, then you can use any glass or coffee mug you have on hand.

What Kind of Whiskey do You Use in Irish Coffee?

While I do not drink whiskey often, I do enjoy it. However, I do have a couple standards for my whiskey, especially when it comes to the whiskey I use when making Irish coffees. 

It seems pretty self-explanatory, but it’s imperative that the whiskey in irish whiskeys is Irish. There are many great Irish whiskeys like Powers, Kilbeggan, Tullamor Dew, Teeling and Bushmills, but my favorite and go-to is Jameson. It’s so smooth and has a slight (very slight) sweetness to it. 

Obviously, in a pinch, you can use a Canadian whiskey, or scotch, but I reallllyyyyy recommend staying traditional. Making a Jameson Irish coffee is definitely our favorite version.

How to Make the Cream in Irish Coffee

One of the things I love about the Irish coffee is the whipped cream on top. Dairy products in Ireland are so rich and decadent, and the cream is not the exception.  Irish coffees are topped off with cream--and not just the whip cream you buy in a can, but heavy cream that has been lightly whipped. 

You don’t need to froth the cream like a latte or cappuccino, but just a little froth is perfect. I use this Bodum milk frother, but if you don’t have a frother, you can put your cream in a mason jar with lid and shake vigorously, then pour over your coffee and whiskey mix. 

How to Make Irish Coffee

Making an authentic Irish coffee is so simple and the result is so delicious. Here are the steps to making this Irish whiskey cocktail.

1. Warm a tall, classic Irish coffee glass by filling it with boiling water.
2. Empty the glass, then add brown sugar and freshly brewed coffee, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves.
3. Gently pour in a shot of your preferred whiskey, stirring slowly to blend.
4. To top with cream, carefully pour the cream over the back of a teaspoon, letting it float on the surface of the coffee until it reaches the rim of the glass.

Looking for more coffee ideas? Check out my post: The best budget-friendly coffee gadgets to make the best coffee at home.

Or are you looking for other cocktail recipes? Try my Strawberry Jalepeno Margarita Recipe, my Watermelon margarita recipe, or try my Bloody Mary recipe!

📖 Recipe