Irish Coffee or Caife Gaelach (in Irish) is a warm, cozy cocktail perfect to warm you up on a chilly St Patrick’s Day. Created in the 1940’s when Pan Am flying boats were used to make Atlantic crossings (prior to large airports with runways) this cocktail sprang from necessity. After the boat planes landed on the water at the Port of Foynes in County Tyrone, Ireland, Joe Sheridan, a head chef at a nearby restaurant needed something to comfort the wearied American passengers as they disembarked the plane. Inspired by the love of Irish whiskey and the American fondness to coffee, the Irish coffee was born. Even after 1945 when transatlantic flights began landing at the nearby Shannon airport, the beloved Irish coffee became a tradition. In 1952, international travel writer Stanton Delaplane and Jack Keppler owner of the famous Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco recreated the warming brew in the U.S after Delaplane enjoyed a glass at the Shannon airport. This recipe is the original Buena Vista recipe which I personally have enjoyed at the Buena Vista. Slainte!
Equipment
- Electric Kettle
- Irish Coffee Glass
- Jigger
- Tongs
- Mixing Spoon
- Coffee Pot
- Measuring Cup
- Whisk
- Shamrock Stencil
Ingredients – Serves 1
- Hot Water
- 2 Sugar Cubes
- Coffee (I used Seattle Best 6th Ave)
- 1 1/3 oz Irish Whiskey (Jameson or Tullamore D.E.W)
- 1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- Green Sugar Sprinkles
Method
- Prepare by making a pot of coffee (1/2 to full pot depending on number of drinks). Heat water in an electric kettle (or regular kettle).
- Pour hot water in an Irish Coffee glass to warm it. Toss out water.
- Add 2 sugar cubes to glass. Pour in hot coffee until 3/4 full. Stir.
- Add 1 1/3 oz Irish whiskey and stir again. (If 1 1/3 oz is too hard to measure, just use 1 or 1.5 oz)
- Whisk 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream in measuring cup until frothy. Pour over the back of a spoon to top.
- Place shamrock stencil close but not touching the top. Sprinkle the green sugar to create the shamrock shape. Pull the stencil away. You can use a toothpick to perfect shape if needed.
- This cocktail is best enjoyed warm, if it becomes cold you can reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Slainte!
Recommended Products – earns commission at no additional cost to you
|
|
|
|
