Irish Coffee Recipe

A mug of Irish coffee topped with whipped cream on a marble surface, a blue towel is in the background.

Course: cocktails

Cuisine: Irish

Keyword: how to make Irish coffee, what's in Irish coffee

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 10

Servings: cocktail

Calories: 893kcal

How to make Irish coffee at home, what's in it (only a few ingredients!), the best whiskey, and the proper type of whipped cream to use.

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US Customary - Metric

Ingredients

1 teaspoon brown sugar
1.5 ounces Irish whiskey
hot coffee (amount varies depending on size of mug)
8 ounces heavy cream (this makes more than 1 serving of whipped cream)

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Instructions

Brew the coffee. My favorite coffee for Irish coffee is made in a French press, but drip coffee or pour over coffee also works well. Do not use espresso.
Make the whipped cream: In a large mixing bowl, whip the cream on medium speed just until it reaches very soft peaks. It should hold a little bit of shape, but still be almost pourable.
Add the brown sugar to an empty coffee mug. Pour the whiskey on top and stir gently to combine.
Pour hot coffee over the Irish whiskey and brown sugar mixture. The heat of the coffee should melt any sugar that hasn't yet dissolved, but give it a quick stir to be sure. Leave about ½ inch at the top of the mug for the whipped cream.
Gently spoon the soft whipped cream on top. It's okay if it starts immediately melting down into the drink, that's what an Irish coffee is supposed to do!

Notes

You want soft whipped cream: Making whipped cream for Irish coffee is a little different than making it for a dessert. Whip just to the point of VERY soft peaks. The whipped cream is meant to slowly fall or melt down into the coffee below as you drink it.
Decaf coffee works just fine: Sometimes you want Irish coffee but you don't want to stay awake all night. Use a good decaf coffee, it will taste just as great!
You'll have extra whipped cream: If you're making more than one cocktail at a time, you'll probably have enough for about 4 drinks.

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