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Irish Coffee
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Irish Coffee

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Irish Coffee

In the cold months of the early 1940s, a cocktail we know and love was created in Limerick, Ireland. A local chef combined the cozy warmth of a cup of coffee with the strong kick of Irish whiskey, and the Irish Coffee was born. The Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco was the first recorded American bar to serve this drink, and these days you can order it in just about any pub you wander into.


thanksgiving irish coffee

By Marler (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons


January 25 is National Irish Coffee Day, and there’s only one way to celebrate—by making yourself a drink! The Irish Coffee is a simple cocktail, but we did our research to find the classic way to brew and imbibe. There are four main ingredients in just about every recipe researched, so be sure you’re stocked up on these:


Mendocino Vienna for Irish Coffee
  • Irish Whiskey
  • Brown Sugar
  • Hot Coffee
  • Heavy Cream

Irish Coffee Recipe

Follow this recipe to celebrate National Irish Coffee Day:


  1. First off, brew some coffee! You’ll want a strong and dark brew, and the Mendocino Vienna is the perfect addition to any Irish Coffee cocktail. While you’re at it, boil some water to warm up the inside of your cup.
  2. Next, whip that heavy cream. Mix it so that’s it’s still creamy, not quite stiff, so it can sit smoothly, right on top of your drink.
  3. Warm up the bottom of your glass with that hot water, and dump it out.
  4. Toss in a teaspoon to a tablespoon of brown sugar. It’s up to you how much sweetness you want!
  5. Pour in a jigger of Irish Whiskey, while mixing it with a small spoon. You’ll want to combine the whiskey with the sugar already in the cup.
  6. Slowly pour in your brewed coffee, while mixing it with the sugar and whiskey mixture already there. Leave some room at the top of your cup for the cream!
  7. What you’ll want to do with the cream is VERY slowly pour it on top. We’re not doing any mixing here, just setting down a layer of cream to sit right on top of your drink.
  8. Need a little garnish? A sprinkle of nutmeg, a dash of caramel or even a little extra brown sugar on top make for a fancy looking cup of Irish Coffee.

Looking for a non-alcoholic version of an Irish Coffee? Use a splash of brandy or rum flavoring instead of the whiskey. If you’re worried about an evening drink containing caffeine, we have a solution: decaf! We would suggest our Nighthawks’ Royal, but you can peruse our full list of Decaf Coffees for yourself.


Did you make yourself a cocktail using our coffee? Share a picture and your review on our social media channels! FACEBOOK  TWITTER  INSTAGRAM  TUMBLR