Irish Coffee
Local name: Caife Gaelach
In short: Hot black coffee with brown sugar and Irish whiskey, topped with a layer of lightly whipped cold cream. Sip the coffee through the cream. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 255 kcal
Irish coffee is hot, strong coffee sweetened with brown sugar, spiked with Irish whiskey and topped with lightly whipped cream that floats on the surface. You drink the coffee through the cream, which stays cool and soft over the heat below. It is served after dinner or as a warming treat on cold evenings, and it depends on three details: fresh coffee, cold cream and slow pouring.
Instructions
- Fill two heatproof stemmed glasses or mugs with hot water to warm them, then pour it out.
- Whisk the cold cream in a small bowl just until it thickens and falls in soft ribbons, like loose custard. It should be pourable, not stiff.
- Divide the hot coffee between the warm glasses, filling each about three-quarters full. Stir 1 tsp brown sugar into each until it dissolves.
- Stir 30 ml (2 tbsp) of whiskey into each glass.
- Hold a spoon, rounded side up, just above the surface of the coffee. Pour the cream slowly over the back of the spoon so it floats in a layer. Do not stir, and drink the coffee through the cream.
Tips
- Whip the cream only until it just holds a ribbon. If it is too stiff it sits like a lid, and if it is too thin it sinks into the coffee.
- Use freshly brewed, strong coffee. Weak or stale coffee gets lost under the sugar and the whiskey.
Questions and answers
What whiskey is best for Irish coffee?
A smooth, blended Irish whiskey works well. A premium bottle is unnecessary, since the coffee and cream soften its character.
Can I make Irish coffee without alcohol?
Yes. Leave out the whiskey and add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract to the coffee for aroma. Top with cream as usual.
Why pour the cream over the back of a spoon?
The spoon slows the cream so it settles in a layer on the coffee instead of plunging in and mixing. It is the trick behind the classic layered look.
How long does it take to make Irish Coffee?
About 10 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Irish Coffee?
About 255 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 5 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 255 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 15 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
