Recreating the Traditional Irish Coffee

The secret’s in the cream…

From the LifeMinute.TV Team

January 25, 2021

Ever wondered about the history of this iconic Irish alcoholic beverage?

Irishman Joseph Sheridan invented drink Irish Coffee in the early 1940's  where he worked as a Chef at an Airport in Ireland.

It became a popular welcoming drink for travelers, including American travel journalist Stan Delaplane who introduced it to the U.S. some years later. 

San Francisco hotel Buena Vista owner Jack Koeppler tried to recreate the drink, but could never get the cream just right, so he offered Sheridan a job at his restaurant. He accepted and emigrated to the U.S. bringing the traditional Irish Coffee along with him.

Here’s how to make your own:

Ingredients

1 C. freshly brewed hot coffee

2 sugar cubes or 2 tsp of brown sugar (legend has it this is how Joe made it)

1 jigger (1 1/2 ounces or 3 tablespoons) Irish whiskey

1 oz. Heavy cream, slightly whipped

Instructions

- preheat the mug by Filling it  with hot water, then empty it

- Add two sugar cubes to the warm mug then pour piping hot coffee 3⁄4 full. Stir until the sugar is dissolved

-Blend in Irish whiskey

- Float a layer of whipped cream over the top (tip: pour your cream over the back of a warm teaspoon held just above the coffee)