Description
This Irish coffee recipe comes just in time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! A classic combination of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and brown sugar, topped with a layer of lightly whipped cream.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 to 2 ounces (45 to 60ml) Irish whiskey (adjust to taste)
- 4 ounces (120ml) hot, fresh-brewed coffee
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 ounces (60ml) heavy cream, very cold
- Unsweetened cocoa powder, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the Mug: Fill your chosen coffee mug with hot water to warm it up. Let it sit for a minute, then discard the water.
- Whip the Cream: Pour the very cold heavy cream into a chilled small bowl. Whisk vigorously by hand or use an electric mixer on medium speed until the cream thickens slightly but is still pourable. It should form soft peaks or ribbons when drizzled from the whisk, not stiff peaks like typical whipped cream. Set aside.
- Prepare Coffee Base: Pour the hot, fresh-brewed coffee into the warmed mug, filling it about 3/4 full. Add the brown sugar and stir well until completely dissolved.
- Add Whiskey: Pour the Irish whiskey into the coffee and stir gently to combine.
- Float the Cream: Hold a warm spoon upside down over the coffee, with the tip of the spoon just touching the inside edge of the mug, slightly above the surface of the coffee. Slowly and gently pour the lightly whipped cream over the back of the spoon. The cream should float on top of the coffee, creating a distinct layer. Fill to the top of the mug. Do not stir.
- Garnish (Optional): If desired, use a stencil (like a shamrock) or sprinkle a small amount of unsweetened cocoa powder over the cream layer.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Warming the Mug: Pre-warming the mug helps keep the drink hot longer.
- Whipping Cream: The key is lightly whipped cream that is still pourable and will float. Whipping it too stiffly will make it difficult to float properly. Use very cold cream and, if possible, a chilled bowl and whisk/beaters.
- Coffee: Use good quality, strongly brewed hot coffee.
- Whiskey: Use your favorite brand of Irish whiskey.
- Floating Technique: Pouring the cream slowly over the back of a warm spoon helps it gently layer on top of the coffee without mixing in immediately.
- Drinking: Sip the hot coffee through the cool layer of cream.