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IrishCentral's guide to the best Irish coffee ever

The ultimate guide to creating that perfect whiskey coffee

By
ANTOINETTE KELLY,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Monday, April 25, 2011, 7:57 AM
Updated Monday, April 25, 2011, 7:57 AM

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IrishCentral's perfect delicious Irish coffee
IrishCentral's perfect delicious Irish coffee
Photo by Google Images


Read more: The best spots in the U.S. to get an Irish Coffee

Read more: How to tell a good Irish Coffee
 

Recipe:

75ml/3fl oz double cream, well chilled

2 tbsps light muscovado sugar

2 tbsps whiskey

2 tbsps Baileys

2 tbsps Kahúla (coffee liqueur)

300ml/11fl oz freshly brewed piping-hot espresso coffee

Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, to decorate

Method:

I've perfected this recipe over time and believe it really is the best-ever Irish coffee. Heat the glasses, if you can be bothered (to keep the coffee hot for longer), by pouring boiling water over them from a kettle and turning them carefully so that they do not crack. Or you could take glasses straight from the dishwasher while still hot. Serves two.

Place the cream in a bowl and whip lightly, then chill until needed. Heat a small, heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat. Sprinkle the sugar over the base of the frying pan and heat for one minute, without stirring -- the sugar will caramelise. Pour in the whiskey and quickly light with a match or flambé -- the sugar will seize and harden, but don't worry as it will melt again once the flames die down. Stir in the Baileys and Kahúla and cook over a high heat for three to four minutes until smooth, stirring constantly to help the sugar dissolve.

Divide the alcohol mixture between two hefty, thick-stemmed glasses (both about 250ml/9fl oz in capacity) then carefully pour in the coffee. Then, over the back of a metal spoon, carefully pour a layer of cream on top (the spoon trick really is worth doing as it helps prevent the cream from sinking). Add a tiny grating of nutmeg and serve at once.

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10 Comments

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NoelleP | Apr 29, 2011, 11:57 AM EDT
I've tasted these sorts of variations and find them "Americanized." To me, IRISH coffee should be simply coffee, Jameson's and sugar (to your taste), topped with cream. It's the best.

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ellenfromcork | Apr 25, 2011, 07:40 PM EDT
dermotryan, I agree what a lot of trouble for what should be a simple treat. Try this variation. hot strong coffee, whiskey( you decide amount), rum very good too.Sugar (whatever is in the house), add very good quality vanilla ice cream,put in any mug that doesn't leak. Drink, say aahhh. Play around w/ the recipe until you're happy w/ it.

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tippboy | Apr 25, 2011, 07:03 PM EDT
You're kidding me, what does Kahlua have to do with Ireland?! dermotryan - your recipe is the classic and the best.

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dermotryan | Apr 25, 2011, 04:35 PM EDT
Rubbish recipie !! Much too complicated this is the one we advise to visitors to Kinsale. Use only Paddy whiskey, the strongest much superior to any inferior Scotch brands. Use fresh cream, NOT whipped etc. Get a glass of Boiling hot weater, stir in the sugar until it is dissolved and add whiskey as desired, stirring again. Invert a spoon and pour the cream with a steady hand until it forms a "head" on top of the liquid. Enjoy ! Repeat the process for the second and the third glass but the "steady" hand may be a little shaky for glass number four and five and the cream may mix with the whiskey so close your eyes and continue to enjoy ! This is the authentic Kinsale Heritage hot whiskey !!

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Sheilah | Apr 25, 2011, 04:10 PM EDT
never heard of muscovado sugar

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S.Connolly | Apr 25, 2011, 02:00 PM EDT
This is NOT Irish Coffee, I believe that it is a good version but no bartender would stand to make it...but I go have a secret of my own about the cream for the coffee. Whip up the xtra heavy cream and put some cream of tartar in it and it will whip and stiffen up quickly. Also holds in the frig for at least 24 hrs. Enjoy, be happy and DRINK

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wouldbelass | Apr 25, 2011, 01:16 PM EDT
so, hate to sound ridiculously naive, but what do you call an Irish coffee when you are in Ireland, do you still say, "Can I get an Irish Coffee?'........

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geoIIIIV | Apr 25, 2011, 11:46 AM EDT
Too much trouble. Try 1/4 Bailey's; 1/4 Paddy's or Jameson; 1/2 coffee. Adjust to taste on your second mug.

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Katecait | Apr 25, 2011, 10:23 AM EDT
It sounds good, but can you really call it "Irish Coffee"? Tradition was always Paddy's or John Jameson, demerara sugar, coffee and cream poured over the top?

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chesapeake | Apr 25, 2011, 09:41 AM EDT
worth trying... is it better than the Buena Vista at Fisherman's Wharf?

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