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    Home Β» Recipes Β» Drinks

    This site contains affiliate links to various websites, including Amazon.com. read more

    Learn to Make Traditional Irish Coffee at Home

    Published: Jan 25, 2015 Β· Modified: Apr 8, 2025 by Audrey Β· This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Irish Coffee is a deliciously sweet spiked coffee that makes a nice way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day or warm up on a cold winter's night.

    Irish Coffee is quite easy to make: brew up some strong coffee, add sugar and Irish whiskey and some thick cream on top. Then curl up in front of the fireplace to relax and enjoy!

    glass mug of Irish Coffee surrounded by coffee beans

    As any fan of Blue Bloods knows, the trick to keeping the cream on top is to hold a spoon upside down over the coffee then pour the cream slowly on to the back of the spoon.

    It takes practice to get it right. Luckily if you mess up you can drink the evidence.

    Mint is NOT Irish

    Wait! Where's the mint?

    Prepare for your mind to be blown... mint is NOT Irish!

    But, thanks to the Shamrock Shake most Americans assume it is. And restauranteurs, marketers and even my fellow food bloggers make it worse by creating mint desserts and promoting them every March.

    Mint is as Irish as green beer, corned beef and Lucky Charms.

    Whiskey versus Whisky

    Speaking of traditional Irish things...

    Basically they are the same except for country origin. Whiskey is the correct spelling for the spirits distilled in Ireland and the United States. Whisky is distilled in Scotland and Canada.

    glass mug of Irish Coffee surrounded by coffee beans

    Recipe

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 Β½ ounce Irish Whiskey
    • 2 teaspoons sugar
    • 8 ounce hot coffee
    • heavy whipping cream (to taste)

    Instructions
     

    • Warm coffee mug or stemmed glass coffee mug with hot water just before mixing.
    • Pour whiskey and sugar into mug. Fill with coffee, leaving room at the top to add the cream. Stir thoroughly.
    • Using the back of a spoon, slowly pour the cream so it sets on top of the mixture. Do not stir the cream into the coffee mixture. Sip through the cream for a traditional taste.

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    Until next time, happy eating,
    ~Audrey

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carolann

      January 25, 2015 at 6:33 pm

      Ohhh that looks so good! I don't drink much but I'd love one of those!

      Reply
    2. Carolann

      January 25, 2015 at 6:41 pm

      Oh and what popup are you using here for newsletter subscriptions? I really like it!

      Reply
    3. Sue at the Little Shack

      January 27, 2015 at 9:29 am

      I love coffee, I love tea, I love the boys and the boys love me! lol....an old rhyme from school that just came back to me as I typed the first part! Anyhow...I will have to try this out as I have never had an Irish Coffee. I bet it really warms you up from the inside out!-Sue
      #TalentedTuesday

      Reply
    4. Carole

      January 27, 2015 at 5:46 pm

      Man-o-man! I want one now! Thanks for the super easy recipe. Following from Hump Day Happenings linky party.

      Reply
    5. Donella Crigger

      January 28, 2015 at 6:32 pm

      I sure could use some Irish coffee tonight. My hands have been so cold all evening! Looks delish. πŸ™‚

      Reply
    6. jessica

      January 28, 2015 at 7:22 pm

      Hey Audrey! Thanks for stopping by and leaving that sweet comment! I love coffee and this looks so good. Someday's I think I should drink Irish coffee to start my day off instead of a night cap haha. I dont know if you did any looking around but I host a link party that starts Monday night 10pm eastern until sat 10pm. I would love it if you came back and linked up πŸ™‚ Hope you have a wonderful week!!
      Jess

      Reply
    7. Amberjane

      January 29, 2015 at 2:26 am

      Nothing like a warm Irish coffee to warm you up and it is snowing today in my corner of Ireland - Thanks for linking up to Pin Worthy Wednesday, I have pinned your post to the Pin Worthy Wednesday Pinterest Board.

      Reply
    8. Kathy

      January 29, 2015 at 9:26 am

      This looks delicious! I never thought about warming a mug before putting hot liquids into it.
      Duh, that makes sense. Lol

      Reply
    9. Amanda

      January 29, 2015 at 6:42 pm

      Ooo, I love me some Irish coffee! Thank you for sharing this recipe with us on Merry Monday!

      Reply
    10. Kristen from The Road to Domestication

      January 31, 2015 at 10:03 am

      Oh, that looks yummy! Thanks so much for linking up with us over at the #HomeMattersParty - we hope to see you again next week!

      Reply
    11. Michelle

      January 31, 2015 at 12:56 pm

      Wow! I've never had Irish coffee and this recipe sounds scrumptious! I just found a recipe for vegan whipping cream so when I add that to the mix I'm sure it'll be just as good. πŸ™‚ Thank you for sharing!

      #HomeMattersParty

      Reply
    12. Kelly @ Mum-bo-Jumbo

      January 31, 2015 at 10:34 pm

      Audrey you share the most delicious sounding drinks each week at the #mum-bomonday link up party. Thanks so much for joining in the fun. I can't wait to try this one out!!

      Reply

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    audrey humaciu in kitchen

    Welcome, I'm Audrey, an avid "maker" that believes home made is better.

    Whether it's cooking, crafting, gardening, home dΓ©cor, even blog design, I love getting my hands dirty and trying new things... even if I make a mess in the process.

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