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    Home >> Drinks

    Irish Coffee

    Published: October 9, 2014 • Modified: March 9, 2021 • by Author: Analida • Word count:743 words. • About 4 minutes to read this article.

    3320 shares
    • 106
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Irish coffee recipe and history from Foynes Ireland began with the flying boats in the early days of tran-Atlantic flight. | ethnicspoon.com

    On a recent trip to Ireland, after a visit to the Foynes Flying Boats museum our tour guide with the willing help of my brother-in-law demonstrated how to make a true Irish Coffee. I find Irish Coffee to be absolutely delicious, given my undying love for two wonderful things: coffee and whiskey!

    Irish coffee in the original recipe glass from Foynes, Ireland

    Jump to:
    • Irish Coffee History
    • What is the Foynes lounge?
    • Irish Coffee Recipe

    There, you learned something sordid and interesting about me. The reason for this love? Whiskey warms your spirit (no pun intended) and your body too. And coffee? Well, what's not to love?

    Irish coffee demonstration at Foynes flying boat museum

    My brother-in-law Joe: The expert Irish coffee maker!

    Irish Coffee History

    Until recently I had no idea where Irish Coffee recipe originated or how it came to be. Was it just a made up name for coffee drinks? Restaurants are notorious for making up  names to make dishes/beverages sound better than what they really are! The story about Irish coffee however, is far from made up. It is truly romantic and fascinating to boot. So, at the request of a good friend, I am sharing with you the true origins of Irish Coffee and of course, the recipe too!

    Irish Coffee was born in Foynes, Ireland, a small village in Limerick on the Shannon River. Foynes is closely linked to the era of transatlantic aviation in the 30's and 40's. Early transatlantic planes did not possess the flying range to make it across the Atlantic in one shot. Foynes happened to be the last port of call before crossing the pond.  If the weather was bad, the planes could not fly or would have to return to Foynes until the weather conditions improved.

    What is the Foynes lounge?

    The base at Foynes had a small restaurant that catered to patrons of air travel. Our guide told us that on a certain day in 1942 when the weather was exceptionally bad, a group of weary passengers, pilot and crew, were forced to return to Foynes to await better flying conditions. Chef Joseph Sheridan felt sorry for these weary travelers. At the request of his boss, he came up with a coffee cocktail to warm up the passengers and crew.

    Sheridan mixed coffee, Powers Irish whiskey, raw sugar and topped it with whipped cream (the real stuff of course). Passengers were delighted with the alcoholic coffee drinks. One of them asked: "Is this Brazilian coffee?" Sheridan replied: "No, it's Irish Coffee." And thus it began. I told you it was a great story! Unfortunately I have not been able to find Powers Irish whiskey in the US, major bummer, but Jameson's works quite well.

    Powers Irish whiskey bottle and a glass on a bar

    The Irish coffee we enjoyed at Foynes is without a doubt the best Irish Coffee I have ever had. Living in the frigid Northeastern U.S. I can tell you for sure that I will be enjoying my fair share of this Irish cocktail in the winter months to come. Slainte!

    BTW... if you are ever in Ireland, make sure to visit the Foynes Flying Boats Museum. It is fascinating.

    If you are looking for more Irish recipes to make for Saint Patrick's Day or anytime at home here are a few of my favorites to try.  Irish butter cookies are favorite melt in your mouth shortbread cookie recipe that does call for Irish butter, no substitutes.  If you want to make a hearty meal for your family then you have to try Dublin coddle with Irish bangers and vegetables or Guinness beef stew.  Serve these two hearty dishes with Irish soda bread or a sweeter version, Irish brown bread.

    Looking for more recipes?
    Sign up for my free recipe newsletter to get new recipes in your inbox each week!  You can also find me sharing more inspiration in Pinterest and Facebook

    This post contains affiliate links. Ethnic Spoon may earn a small commission if you buy something from the retail links. 

    Irish coffee recipe and history from Foynes Ireland began with the flying boats in the early days of tran-Atlantic flight. | ethnicspoon.com
    5 from 5 votes
    Print

    Irish Coffee Recipe

    Here is the authentic recipe and story of how Irish coffee came to be back in the early days of Trans-Atlantic flight from Foynes Ireland. 

    Course Drink
    Cuisine Irish
    Keyword authentic, coffee cocktail, hot drink, hot toddy
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings: Change to adjust-> 1 serving
    Calories 163 kcal
    Author Analida Braeger

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup coffee strong, black
    • 1 tsp sugar raw is best
    • 1.5 oz whiskey Irish
    • ¼ cup whipped cream Use real whipped cream

    Instructions

    1. For this recipe you should use a glass ( a wine glass works well).
    2. Heat the glass by pouring boiling water in it and allow it so sit for a minute or so. Dump out the water.
    3. Place raw sugar in the glass and add the coffee and stir.

    4. Add the whiskey and stir.
    5. Top with whipped cream.
    Nutrition Facts
    Irish Coffee Recipe
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 163 Calories from Fat 27
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 3g5%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Cholesterol 11mg4%
    Sodium 5mg0%
    Potassium 116mg3%
    Carbohydrates 6g2%
    Sugar 5g6%
    Vitamin A 105IU2%
    Calcium 15mg2%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Irish coffee recipe and history from Foynes Ireland began with the flying boats in the early days of trans-Atlantic flight. | ethnicspoon.com

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      Easy Guinness and cheddar fondue with a little cayenne kick! This is great for parties, gameday or make it a family meal with a salad and fresh fruit on the side! I love to dip apple slices too! | ethnicspoon.com
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maria

      March 17, 2015 at 6:20 am

      I love Irish coffee too, but I've always been curious as to how truly authentic those restaurant "Irish coffee" drinks were. Now that I've found your recipe, I think I'll have to forgo the restaurant and bars rendition of it. I'll be enjoying a glass of this at the end of the night, thanks to you. I'm so glad I found you on Totally Terrific Tuesday's link up. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Analida

        March 17, 2015 at 7:35 am

        Thanks Maria. Until I visited Ireland last summer I had no idea what a real Irish coffee tasted like. It is fantastic!! Yes, the restaurant versions pale in comparison. I am glad you found it too!!!!

        Reply
    2. Karen

      March 17, 2015 at 9:36 am

      What a wonderful drink recipe to have on hand to offer guests!
      I would love for you to stop by my blog and join our Something to Talk About link party!
      Have a great day!
      Karen

      Reply
      • Analida

        March 17, 2015 at 3:30 pm

        Thanks for the compliment Karen. I will stop by your blog and join your link party too!!!
        Have a wonderful day!

        Reply
    3. Sharon Rowe

      March 21, 2015 at 5:43 pm

      What a really interesting article thanks for sharing on Monday Madness Link Party 🙂

      Reply
      • Analida

        March 22, 2015 at 11:53 am

        Glad you liked it! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Frank

      May 18, 2015 at 12:58 am

      If you are ever in San Francisco, go try the Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe, 2765 Hyde St. They have perfected the drink and it is incredibly perfect on any San Francisco night.

      Reply
      • Analida

        May 18, 2015 at 1:23 pm

        Thanks Frank! I will keep that in mind.

        Reply
    5. Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom

      February 12, 2016 at 3:38 pm

      Cheers to the weekend--there is nothing better than Irish coffee 🙂 Love it!

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 12, 2016 at 9:12 pm

        LOL! Cheers to you too Kristen 🙂

        Reply
    6. Denise Wright

      February 12, 2016 at 3:48 pm

      This seems like the perfect drink on a cold day! I can't say that I have ever had a true Irish coffee but they look very yummy!

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 12, 2016 at 9:11 pm

        It is perfect on a cold day! A true Irish coffee is FABULOUS! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Caroline

      February 12, 2016 at 4:51 pm

      A good Irish whiskey is just the thing for a cold day. I see you learned lots of good things on your trip!

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 12, 2016 at 9:10 pm

        LOL! I must certainly did! 🙂
        Whiskey indeed is good on a cold day.

        Reply
    8. Joy @ Joy Love Food

      February 13, 2016 at 4:33 pm

      I love a good Irish coffee, this sounds delicious and it's nice to learn the origin of the name, great story!

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 14, 2016 at 9:44 am

        Isn't Irish coffee great! I was also thrilled to learn the true story of the beverage.

        Reply
    9. Sinéad

      March 13, 2016 at 2:58 pm

      Baileys Irish cream works well too - instead of whiskey 🙂 sláinte

      Reply
      • Analida

        March 14, 2016 at 5:43 pm

        Great tip Sinead! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Dini @ The Flavor Bender

      March 15, 2016 at 8:30 pm

      This is perfect for St Patrick's Day! I love a delicious Irish Coffee 🙂 I love that you said "Use real cream - not the squeeze type!" 😀

      Reply
      • Analida

        March 16, 2016 at 7:03 pm

        Thanks Dini! Yes, Irish coffee is awesome. Yes, no squeeze type! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Matt Kearns

      February 12, 2018 at 7:53 pm

      mmmmmmmmm coffee and booze, YES!

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 13, 2018 at 4:37 pm

        LOL!!! my fave combination too.

        Reply
    12. dixya @food, pleasure, and health

      February 13, 2018 at 5:27 pm

      im not much a whiskey person but if its in the form of Irish coffee, I am sure it will be delicious! sounds like you guys had a great time.

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 13, 2018 at 7:18 pm

        Dixya, it IS delicious with the coffee. We had an awesome time. Ireland is so beautiful, and the people are lovely.

        Reply
    13. Rachel

      February 16, 2018 at 12:38 pm

      5 stars
      I love Irish Coffee but so often when I get it out they don't get it right... Maybe the coffee isn't strong enough or the whisky wasn't good enough... This St. Patty's Day I think I'm just going to have to stick with your recipe!

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 16, 2018 at 4:02 pm

        Hi Rachel! Give it a shot (no pun intended). I learned from a pro! I think you will like it. 🙂

        Reply
    14. Abby @ WinsteadWandering

      February 17, 2018 at 11:30 am

      I've never had Irish coffee, but I'm totally willing to give it a try!

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 18, 2018 at 9:24 am

        Hi Abby! I think you will like it. 🙂

        Reply
    15. Rezel Kealoha

      February 17, 2018 at 10:08 pm

      5 stars
      I'm not a coffee drinker, but when I do I need the hard stuff like this! I also want to go and visit Ireland after reading your article!

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 18, 2018 at 10:37 am

        Hi Rezel! I think you will like Irish coffee. Also, I think you will love Ireland. The landscape is gorgeous, the people are wonderful also.

        Reply
    16. Sharon

      February 18, 2018 at 4:59 pm

      5 stars
      Love the background of the Irish Coffee as much as I love this recipe. Can't wait to pull this one our for St. Patrick's Day!

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 18, 2018 at 5:38 pm

        Hi Sharon! Let me know how you like it. 🙂 It's a favorite at our house for St. Patrick's Day.

        Reply
    17. Leslie Haasch

      February 18, 2018 at 5:45 pm

      I've never thought that irish coffees I've gotten in restaurants were legit, and they definitely weren't - this recipe is much better!

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 18, 2018 at 6:26 pm

        Thanks Leslie. No, they are usually not legit. This recipe comes straight from Ireland, and from the place where Irish coffee was born. I hope you have a chance to make it.

        Reply
    18. Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago

      February 18, 2018 at 7:54 pm

      5 stars
      There is nothing like a good Irish Coffee on a cold winter evening!

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 20, 2018 at 7:30 pm

        Kathryn, you're absolutely right! 🙂

        Reply
    19. Sues

      February 18, 2018 at 11:15 pm

      5 stars
      I don't have Irish coffee nearly enough... Now I'm craving it!

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 20, 2018 at 7:31 pm

        LOL Sue! I think you need to make some. 🙂

        Reply
    20. Alan Shortall

      April 07, 2018 at 4:40 pm

      A Traditional authentic Irish coffee is made with pouring cream, the secret is getting the pouring cream to sit on top of the mixed coffee, whiskey & sugar without it leaking down into the coffee. This takes great skill so the cheaters use whipped cream. The pouring cream is important in that as one sipes the coffeee through the cream the tastes blend beautifullly together.

      Reply
      • Analida

        April 07, 2018 at 6:35 pm

        I agree it is tricky pouring the cream. As I remember from our class at the Flying Boats Museum in Foynes Ireland, where Irish coffee originated, the pouring of the cream is key. Our instructor gave us the history of Irish coffee and how it was developed. I would never use whipped cream! Yes, the blending of cream and the coffee is indeed beautiful.

        Reply

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    Analida profile pictureI have been researching and creating ethnic recipes for over 20 years. I love to share "mostly healthy" easy and affordable ethnic recipes using fresh ingredients, with a bit of culture and food history sprinkled in.... Read more-->

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