How to Make Classic Irish Coffee (Hot Whiskey and Coffee)
Ingredients:
Freshly brewed hot coffee – about 4 to 6 oz (120–180 ml)
Irish whiskey – 1 to 1.5 oz (30–45 ml)
Brown sugar or white sugar – 1 to 2 teaspoons (adjust to taste)
Lightly whipped cream – 1 to 2 tablespoons (for topping)
Best whiskey: Irish whiskey (like Jameson, Bushmills, or Tullamore D.E.W.) is traditional for a smooth, mellow flavor, but any whiskey you like works.
Instructions:
Warm the glass: Fill your mug or heatproof glass with hot water for a minute, then discard the water. This helps keep the drink hot longer.
Add sugar: Add the sugar to the empty warm glass.
Pour in hot coffee: Fill the glass about three-quarters full with freshly brewed hot coffee. Stir to dissolve the sugar completely.
Add whiskey: Pour in your whiskey and stir again.
Top with cream: Carefully float the whipped cream on top by pouring it slowly over the back of a spoon held just above the surface of the coffee. This creates the classic layered effect.
Don’t stir: Traditionally, Irish Coffee is served unstirred, so you sip the hot coffee through the cool cream.
Variation: Cold Whiskey and Coffee (Cold Brew Cocktail)
Ingredients:
Cold brew coffee – 3 oz (90 ml)
Whiskey – 1.5 oz (45 ml)
Simple syrup or maple syrup – 0.5 oz (15 ml), optional
Ice
Optional: a dash of coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa), orange bitters, or a splash of cream
Instructions:
Fill a rocks glass or shaker with ice.
Add cold brew coffee and whiskey.
Add sweetener or other flavorings if desired.
Stir or shake, then strain into a glass with fresh ice.
Garnish with an orange peel or coffee beans if you want to get fancy.
Other Variations You Can Try
Coffee Old Fashioned: Whiskey, cold brew, bitters, and simple syrup over ice.
Espresso Whiskey Martini: Shake espresso, whiskey, and coffee liqueur with ice and strain into a martini glass.
Spiked Mocha: Add whiskey to a mocha or hot chocolate with coffee for a rich, dessert-like drink.
Tips & Notes:
Use freshly brewed coffee for best flavor (hot or cold).
Adjust the sweetness to taste. Whiskey and coffee can both be intense.
Don’t over-whip the cream for Irish coffee. It should be pourable but slightly thick.
Drink responsibly—whiskey and caffeine combined can be potent!
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