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!
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?
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.
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.
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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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup coffee strong, black
- 1 tsp sugar raw is best
- 1.5 oz whiskey Irish
- 1/4 cup whipped cream Use real whipped cream
Instructions
- For this recipe you should use a glass ( a wine glass works well).
- Heat the glass by pouring boiling water in it and allow it so sit for a minute or so. Dump out the water.
Place raw sugar in the glass and add the coffee and stir.
- Add the whiskey and stir.
- Top with whipped cream.
Maria
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!
Analida
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!!!!
Karen
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
Analida
Thanks for the compliment Karen. I will stop by your blog and join your link party too!!!
Have a wonderful day!
Sharon Rowe
What a really interesting article thanks for sharing on Monday Madness Link Party 🙂
Analida
Glad you liked it! 🙂
Frank
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.
Analida
Thanks Frank! I will keep that in mind.
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom
Cheers to the weekend–there is nothing better than Irish coffee 🙂 Love it!
Analida
LOL! Cheers to you too Kristen 🙂
Denise Wright
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!
Analida
It is perfect on a cold day! A true Irish coffee is FABULOUS! 🙂
Caroline
A good Irish whiskey is just the thing for a cold day. I see you learned lots of good things on your trip!
Analida
LOL! I must certainly did! 🙂
Whiskey indeed is good on a cold day.
Joy @ Joy Love Food
I love a good Irish coffee, this sounds delicious and it’s nice to learn the origin of the name, great story!
Analida
Isn’t Irish coffee great! I was also thrilled to learn the true story of the beverage.
Sinéad
Baileys Irish cream works well too – instead of whiskey 🙂 sláinte
Analida
Great tip Sinead! 🙂
Dini @ The Flavor Bender
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!” 😀
Analida
Thanks Dini! Yes, Irish coffee is awesome. Yes, no squeeze type! 🙂
Matt Kearns
mmmmmmmmm coffee and booze, YES!
Analida
LOL!!! my fave combination too.
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
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.
Analida
Dixya, it IS delicious with the coffee. We had an awesome time. Ireland is so beautiful, and the people are lovely.
Rachel
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!
Analida
Hi Rachel! Give it a shot (no pun intended). I learned from a pro! I think you will like it. 🙂
Abby @ WinsteadWandering
I’ve never had Irish coffee, but I’m totally willing to give it a try!
Analida
Hi Abby! I think you will like it. 🙂
Rezel Kealoha
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!
Analida
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.
Sharon
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!
Analida
Hi Sharon! Let me know how you like it. 🙂 It’s a favorite at our house for St. Patrick’s Day.
Leslie Haasch
I’ve never thought that irish coffees I’ve gotten in restaurants were legit, and they definitely weren’t – this recipe is much better!
Analida
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.
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
There is nothing like a good Irish Coffee on a cold winter evening!
Analida
Kathryn, you’re absolutely right! 🙂
Sues
I don’t have Irish coffee nearly enough… Now I’m craving it!
Analida
LOL Sue! I think you need to make some. 🙂
Alan Shortall
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.
Analida
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.