Irish Coffee – History, Facts, and Recipe

Irish coffee is a popular cocktail made from a stirred mixture of Irish whiskey, coffee, and sugar; and a topping of cream.

At the mention of “cocktail”, you are probably thinking of ice – and lots of it – to keep the cocktail cold. However, Irish coffee is one of a few cocktails that is made hot and best served hot.

If you are curious to learn more about this cocktail and think you may want to give it the first try, then keep reading to learn about the history and facts of this cocktail. We have also included a recipe just in case you want to try it out.

History

There are many stories out there about the origin of this drink and who invented it. Quite a lot of them, if one thinks about it.

But during our research, one particular story stood out for us. Although we would like to state clearly that this is not an official record but it gives us a little bit of history.

Here’s the story:

In the 1940s, Foynes was the busiest and biggest airport in Europe. This airport had a lot of passengers flying through it. It also received some of Europe’s notable figures and stars. So, it wasn’t long before a restaurant headed by Joe Sheridan was opened to cater to the needs of the guests.

Because the weather at that time was bad, Joe decided to create a unique drink that will keep the restaurant’s guests warm. One day, having been served this drink, a particular guest asked Joe if the drink was Brazilian Coffee. Joe said it wasn’t. He called it was Irish coffee. And that’s how this cocktail was christened. Click here to read more about the history of this cocktail and learn a whole lot more.

Now that you know a bit of how this cocktail came about, let’s show you how to make a mug for yourself.

How to Make Irish Coffee – A Detailed Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup of fresh coffee

1 tablespoon of brown sugar

3 tablespoons of Irish whiskey

Slightly whipped heavy cream

Directions:

1. Preheat your mug by filling it with hot water.
2. Pour your hot and freshly brewed coffee into the warmed glass up to three-quarters of the cup.
3. Add your brown sugar and stir it until it dissolves completely.
4. Pour in your Irish whiskey.
5. Add a topping of the whipped cream by pouring it over the back of a spoon.
6. Serve your drink hot.

Can Irish Coffee Get You Drunk?

For health and driving reasons, it is important to know if this cocktail can get you drunk.

For starters, does it contain alcohol? Yes, the Irish whiskey in it is alcohol enough. However, the amount of alcohol in the cocktail determines whether or not you will need to leave your car somewhere and call a cab to take you home.

With that being said, because this cocktail is more coffee than whiskey, the chances of getting tipsy are slim. If anything, the cocktail should keep you awake because of the coffee.

However, any glass of Irish coffee that contains more than one shot of whiskey is likely to make you tipsy and you may even get a hangover from consuming 2 shots or more.

Should You Stir It?

Nothing irks a bartender as much as having to spend ample time preparing a delicious glass of Irish coffee only for the guest to dip a spoon in it and stir it.

No, you don’t need to stir your drink; especially if it was well-made. You are expected to drink this cocktail through the topping of heavy cream and enjoy the amazing blend as it is.

The temperature difference between the hot drink at the bottom and the cooler cream at the top adds to the beauty of this cocktail. So, savor every part of your drinking experience.

Is It Safe?

Some caution is required when you consume a mixture of caffeine and alcohol because the caffeine can mask the alcohol; leaving you bubbly and energetic. This may also tempt you to take more of the drink since you are not ‘getting high’; until you actually ‘get high’ and are intoxicated.

However, since this drink is more coffee than alcohol, drinking it occasionally won’t hurt. Just be sure to check both the alcohol and caffeine content.

You can visit https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-979/caffeine to learn more about the safety of consuming drinks that contain both stimulants and depressants.

Conclusion

Irish coffee is a delicious cocktail that can be made with readily available ingredients. It is made with coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and heavy cream.

An occasional drink of this cocktail shouldn’t get you intoxicated as long as the alcohol content is within safe limits. If you are currently taking any medications, you may also want to check with your doctor before you take this drink.

The beauty of this drink is in the layering and the way drinkers are expected to sip the drink through the foam. So, the next time you go to your favorite shop and you want to try this drink, resist the urge to stir the cocktail.

With that being said, if you would like to make a cup on your own, the recipe for this cocktail is pretty straightforward. All you need is some Irish whiskey, hot and freshly brewed coffee, some brown sugar, and some heavy cream.

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