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    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    How to make a Perfect Irish Coffee

    Updated: Aug 24, 2024 · Published: Mar 15, 2017 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

    Jump to Recipe
    Servings 1 serving
    Prep 5 minutes mins
    Cook 4 minutes mins

    Learning how to make Irish Coffee at home is super easy and a recipe technique that you can use all year, not only on Saint Patrick's Day! My Dad has made millions of these and taught me how to make a perfect Irish Coffee! Perfect for a brunch and holidays!

    how to make a perfect irish coffee

    A few weeks ago I shared  How To Make The Perfect Bloody Mary, inspired by my wonderful Mom! It is only right to share one of my Dad's specialties!  Dad is the go-to on how to make Irish Coffee at home! Seriously, he makes the greatest Irish Coffee! He puts the perfect amount of everything into the glass and he just enjoys passing out the warm glasses to the family! He is also hilarious and I adore him! Today, I share with you all, my Dad's fabulous technique to making tasty Irish Coffee with Jameson Irish Whiskey!

    We approach Saint Patrick's Day, and many of you know it's a favorite Holiday.  I have been busy making my annual friends and family treats. Some of my favorite Saint Patrick's Day recipes are:

    My Blue Ribbon Authentic Irish Soda Bread 

     Irish Brown Bread

    The Best Beef, Mushroom Guinness Pie

    Low-fat Potato Leek Soup

    Irish Coffee FAQ's

    • Joe Sheridan, an Irish bartender created the original Irish Coffee.
    • Foynes was the first trans-Atlantic airport in Ireland, Pan Am flew out of the airport, Joe Sheridan was their chef.
    • in 1943, A flight turned back to Foynes Airport. Joe was asked to make hot food and drink for the delayed passengers.
    • They were served his Irish Coffees.
    • The passengers asked if it was Brazilian coffee, Joe said no! Irish Coffee!
    • The coffee made it to America via a San Francisco journalist!
    • Irish Coffee has become favorite among many as a dessert coffee.

    What makes great Irish Coffee:

    You need to know just a few little details to make amazing Irish Coffee! Just four ingredients make a yummy Irish coffee: Coffee, Jameson Irish Whiskey  (Dad says there is no other option in whiskey for a great Irish Coffee), sweetener,, and cream! However, my Dad's instructions below make these perfect! I know, I know, heavy cream, this is one of those  occasional indulgences that are so worth a few calories! I make sure I plan a long walk after I enjoy one of these coffees!

    How to make a perfect Irish Coffee

    How to make Irish Coffee at home:

    1. Brew your favorite coffee.
    2. Use tall Irish Coffee glasses or stemmed glasses. ( They are festive and that's just how we do it)
    3. Run the glasses under hot water. This warms up the glass and helps prevent cracking.
    4. Put your sugar in the glass first.
    5. Next, pour Jameson Irish Whiskey into the glass.
    6. My Dad always keeps a spoon in the glass while pouring in the coffee. The glass won't crack. (Dad is always right!)how to make a perfect irish coffee
    7. Stir well to incorporate the whiskey and dissolve the sugar into the coffee.
      how to make a perfect irish coffee
    8. Lightly whipped cream is gently poured over the back of spoon into the glass so it sits on top of coffee! First poured, the Irish Coffee will remind you of a Guinness Beer.

    Enjoy and I hope you have learned how to make Irish Coffee at home! It is easy and delicious! You will save a lot of money making it at home rather than ordering in a restaurant.

    I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

    Keep up to date with recipes by following me on:

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    Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.

    Eileen  xo

    If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

               

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    how to make a perfect Irish coffee

    How to make a perfect Irish Coffee

    Irish Coffee is a perfect celebratory coffee! Always a favorite at Holiday parties or cold snowy evenings in front of a fire. Perfect for Saint Patrick's Day celebrations. These are always requested from my family!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print (Email Required) Rate
    Course: Brunch, Dessert, Drink
    Cuisine: Irish
    Keyword: irish coffee, irish coffee recipe
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes
    0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 268kcal
    Author: Eileen Murphy Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup hot brewed coffee
    • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
    • 1 jigger Jameson Irish whiskey
    • 2-3 ounces whipped heavy cream

    Instructions

    • Brew your favorite coffee.
    • To prepare the glass. Fill glass with warm water to warm the glass. Empty the water. 
    • To your glass, add 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 jigger of Jameson Irish Whiskey.
    • Place a spoon into the glass, prevents the possibility of the glass cracking. Pour 1 cup of coffee into the glass.  Make sure you leave room to add the whip cream.
    • To add the whipped cream, place a warmed spoon, bottom side up, over the glass. Gently pour the cream over the spoon so it gently sits on the top of the coffee. Enjoy your Irish Coffee.

    NOTES

    • My Dad does not warm the glasses. He only uses the spoon in the glass while pouring the hot coffee to prevent the glass from cracking.
    • I have used other sweeteners. My Dad sticks with white sugar.
    • Use your favorite coffee but definitely try to use Jameson Irish Whiskey.
    • any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actually dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servings | Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 200mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 388IU | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

    Pin how to make Irish Coffee at home anytime here:

    how to make a perfect irish coffee

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    Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Kent

      March 31, 2020 at 6:56 am

      Since I have to keep an eye on my sugar intake, what other sweetners do you recommend ?

      Reply
      • Eileen xo

        April 08, 2020 at 2:01 am

        Kent, how about Stevia? Can you use that as a sweetener?

        Reply
    2. Virginia Mulligan

      March 31, 2019 at 5:30 pm

      5 stars
      As usual your recipes are very easy to follow!! I made this Irish coffee and it was delicious!!! Thank you!!!

      Reply
      • Eileen xo

        April 01, 2019 at 12:22 am

        Thank you so very much Virginia! I cannot thank you enough for being such an amazing supporter! I am so happy you enjoy my Irish Coffee Recipe! Slainte!

        Reply
      • Eileen xo

        April 02, 2019 at 1:28 am

        Thank you so much Virginia! You made my day! I am so glad you enjoyed the Irish Coffee! You have reminded me it is time to make them again!

        Reply
    3. Sheila

      March 17, 2018 at 3:45 pm

      5 stars
      We loved your recipe! It was a big hit at our St Patrick’s Day party last night!

      Reply
      • Eileen xo

        March 17, 2018 at 11:58 pm

        That is awesome Sheila! I am so happy you enjoyed. This is my favorite after dinner drink and will always make me think of my Dad!

        Reply
    4. Mike Greer AIC

      March 07, 2018 at 7:40 am

      Sounds really good. Can't wait for St. Patrick's Day and so glad it's on a Monday this year so that we can actually enjoy an Irish Coffee.

      Reply
      • Eileen xo

        March 07, 2018 at 3:18 pm

        Mike, I hope you enjoy the Irish Coffee. It is really delicious! Saint Patrick's Day is on Saturday this year. I don't want you to miss the festivities 🙂

        Reply
    5. Mary

      January 25, 2018 at 10:48 am

      5 stars
      I Loved this Irish Coffee. So easy to prepare too!!

      Reply
      • Eileen xo

        January 25, 2018 at 1:50 pm

        Aw, thank you Mary! I am glad you enjoy the Irish Coffee!

        Reply

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