A Winter Warmer – Irish Coffee Recipe

22/12/2021

History of the Irish Coffee

There are few better things on a cold winter evening than relaxing by a warm open fire with a creamy Irish Coffee….

At Foynes, County Limerick on the Wild Atlantic Way, the first transatlantic passenger flights from the United States arrived, and it was also in Foynes that Chef Joe Sheridan invented the world’s most famous drink the ‘Irish Coffee’, way back in in 1943.

Foynes and flying boats are closely connected to Irish coffee, playing a significant role in the invention of this favorite Irish treat. Of course, as with anything in Ireland, the weather played a role, too.

Late one night in the winter of 1943, a flight left Foynes for New York. After flying for several hours in bad weather, the captain decided to return to Foynes to wait for safer conditions. A Morse code message was sent to the Foynes control tower to inform them of the return. Staff were called back in and the passengers were brought to the restaurant upon landing for food and drink. When Chef Joe Sheridan was asked to prepare something to warm the weary passengers, he was inspired to put some good Irish whiskey in their coffee. And so was born the Irish coffee.

The Original Irish Coffee Recipe. 

Step One: Preheat your Irish coffee glass by filling it with boiling water for 5 seconds, then pour the water out. 

Step Two: Add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar and a good measure of Irish whiskey into the warmed glass. 

Step Three: Fill the glass to within 1 cm of the brim with hot, strong black coffee. Stir well to dissolve all the brown sugar. 

Step Four: Carefully pour lightly whipped cream over the back of a spoon so that it floats on top of the coffee. 

Step Five: Do not stir after adding the cream; optimal flavor comes from drinking the coffee and Irish whiskey through the cream. 

 

Blog Image: ©Failte Ireland Credit: Courtesy of Carsten Krieger

Article Image: ©Failte Ireland Credit: Courtesy Fennell Photography