Classic cocktails: Irish Coffee history, recipe and variations

Cold weather calls for a warm drink like the classic
Irish Coffee.
Photo: Alessandro Paiva, SXC

Kansas City is cold and getting colder, perfect weather for hot drinks like the classic Irish Coffee.

Irish Coffee isn't something that the Irish have sipped around the fire for centuries. It's actually a modern creation that originated in the early 1940s. Air travel was still relatively new, and airports could be few and far between. In the days before the construction of Shannon airport, a trip to Ireland could include taking a seaplane to Port of Foynes in County Limerick, following by a boat ride from the plane to the terminal.

Travelers often arrived damp and chilled, and a hot cup of coffee or tea was just the ticket. Chef Joe Sheridan was searching for something to help warm up customers, and thought a nip of whiskey would be just the same. One story holds that the drink was christened after an American asked if it was Brazilian coffee, and was told, "This is Irish coffee!"

The Original Irish Coffee Recipe

Heat a stemmed whiskey goblet.

Pour in one shot of Irish whiskey.

Add 3 sugar cubes.

Fill with strong black coffee to within one inch of the rim and stir gently.

Top off to the brim with heavy cream, layered by pouring over the back of a spoon.

Don't stir after adding the cream. The true flavor comes from sipping the hot coffee and whiskey through the layer of cream.

Irish Coffee Variations

As classic as Irish coffee has become, there's always room to experiment with the details, and there's any number of variations. Substituting Irish Cream liqueur for the Irish whiskey is a popular change, as is adding a liqueur such as coffee or chocolate along with the whiskey.

Irish Coffee is traditionally made with heavy cream, although the ultra-pasteurized cream found in most modern supermarkets is harder to float than the old-fashioned variety. For a slightly sweeter coffee, substitute sweetened whipping cream for the heavy cream.

Brown Sugar Irish Coffee

• 1.5 - 2 oz. Irish whiskey to taste
• 2 tsp. brown sugar
• 6 oz. fresh black coffee
• heavy cream

Combine the whiskey and sugar in a heat-proof goblet or mug, and add hot coffee. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Float heavy cream on top, but do not stir.

Another popular variation could be called the "wearing of the green." Add 2 teaspoons green creme de menthe with the whiskey, sugar, and coffee, and stir to combine. Top with the traditional float of cream, or a cap of whipped cream, and drizzle with additional creme de menthe.

There's even a variation for non-coffee drinkers.

Irish Hot Chocolate

• 1.5 - 2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 6-8 oz. hot chocolate

Comibne the ingredients in a heat-proof goblet or mug. Top with a float of cream or a cap of whipped cream. Garnish with chocolate flakes. Irish Hot Chocolate is also delicious with green creme de menthe.

The small print disclaimer: The makers of many (but not all) of the products reviewed in Kansas City Cocktails have provided free samples to review. A free product will guarantee that it will get sampled. It does not guarantee a good review. If I say I liked it, I liked it.