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March 2007

Product Reviews / Main Nibbles / Cocktails

Irish Coffee Recipes

To Warm Your Heart

• The History Of Irish Coffee
• Irish Coffee Recipes
• Irish Coffee Mugs

You might think that Irish Coffee is a centuries-old drink, enjoyed by many generations of Irish folk around a hot fire at home or at the pub. But, truth be told, it originated in the era around World War II when, from 1939 to 1945, the dawn of transatlantic plane travel, air travelers from America took an 18-hour seaplane (known as a “flying boat”) to Port of Foynes in County Limerick, Ireland. Passengers took a boat from the seaplane to the terminal—the seaplane base preceded the construction of Shannon Airport. By 1942, a restaurant had been established to welcome the travelers, which by then included such luminaries as Humphrey Bogart, Douglas Fairbanks, Edward G. Robinson, Ernest Hemingway and Eleanor Roosevelt.

In cold, damp weather a hot cup of coffee or tea was appreciated upon arrival. One story has Brendan O’Regan, then the manager of catering, asking Joseph Sheridan, the head chef at Foynes, to develop something “stronger.” Another story is that on a cold night in 1942, a plane bound for the U.S. was turned back to Foynes due to bad weather—not an unusual occurrence—and Chef Joe Sheridan, who was serving coffee, came up with the idea. Whatever, the result is what is now known as Irish Coffee—purportedly because an American asked if the beverage was Brazilian coffee and was told in return, “This is Irish coffee.”

By the time the Shannon Airport opened in 1945, Sheridan had perfected his recipe and at the airport restaurant there, more and more travelers would enjoy it. One was the owner of the Buena Vista Café  in San Francisco, who brought the recipe home and, in 1952, began serving the first Irish Coffees in the U.S. There is a commemorative plaque at Shannon Airport, and here is the original recipe:

• Heat a stemmed whiskey goblet.
• Pour in one shot of Irish whiskey.
• Add three sugar cubes.
• Fill with strong black coffee to within one inch of top. Stir gently.
• Top off to the brim with heavy cream, slightly aerated by pouring it over the back of a spoon.
• Important: Do not stir after adding cream, as the true flavor is obtained by drinking the coffee and whiskey through the cream. Pouring the cream over a spoon to make it float takes a bit of practice.

Note: American supermarket whipping cream is ultrapasteurized to increase shelf life. This detracts from its ability to float on top of the mixture. If you can obtain untreated cream from a farmer’s market, it will produce a better Irish Coffee.

Slainte!  (That’s “cheers” in Gaelic.)

Irish Coffee Recipes

Over the years, there have been many variations to the original recipe, using espresso instead of coffee; Irish Cream Liqueur instead of Irish Whiskey; adding a liqueur to the Irish Whiskey—from coffee and chocolate liqueur to hazelnut and coconut; and adding garnishes ranging from cocoa powder and Hershey’s kisses to decorative sugar crystals, espresso beans and chopped nuts. Here are some basics to play with:

Brown Sugar

• 1-1/2 to 2 ounces Irish Whiskey, depending on desired strength
• 1 to 2 teaspoon brown sugar
• 6 ounces freshly brewed black coffee
• Heavy cream
• Combine ingredients in a goblet or mug and stir to dissolve sugar. Float cold cream gently on top. Do not mix.

Whipped Cream

• Instead of heavy cream, add whipped cream, sweetened or unsweetened.

Creme de Menthe

• Add some “green” with 2 teaspoons creme de menthe; mix before adding the cream cap.
• Or, to better show your Irish colors, drizzle the creme de menthe over a whipped cream top.

Irish Hot Chocolate

Don’t drink coffee? You still can participate with this recipe:

• 1-1/2 to 2 ounces Irish Whiskey
• 6 ounces good quality hot chocolate
• Combine ingredients in a goblet or mug. Add whipped cream. Sprinkle with chocolate flakes.

Bartender’s Tip: With all recipes, preheat the goblet or mug by rinsing it with hot water.

Mugs For Your Irish Coffee

Venezia Glass Mugs. Sturdy basic mugs are the classic Irish Coffee Shape. Click here for more information.	Mikasa Lead Crystal. Go fancy with this European lead crystal mug that’s dishwasher safe. Click here for more information.

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