Irish Coffee

Here are the secrets for the best Irish Coffee: Dissolve brown sugar in whiskey, add boiling-hot coffee, and float a layer of barely-whipped, frothy cream on top.

Course Drinks

Cuisine Irish

Prep Time 3

Cook Time 2

Total Time 5

Servings serving

Calories 325kcal

Author Meggan Hill

Ingredients

1/4 cup heavy cream chilled (see note 1)
1 1/2 ounces Irish whiskey (3 tablespoons, see note 2)
1-2 teaspoons brown sugar
4 ounces freshly brewed coffee hot (see note 3)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a small bowl, add heavy cream and beat until soft peaks form, about 2 to 3 minutes.
In the bottom of a mug, add whiskey. Add brown sugar and stir to dissolve.
Top with hot coffee. Pour the thickened cream over the back of a chilled spoon so it floats on top of the coffee.

Video

Notes

Heavy cream: Look for 50% to 60% heavy cream. You want to whip it just enough that it will float on top of the coffee when poured over the back of a chilled spoon.
Irish whiskey: Killbeggan (reader-recommended!), Jameson or Paddy's Irish whiskey are best. Bushmills is a little too sharp for Irish coffee.
Coffee: The coffee needs to be HOT in order to dissolve the brown sugar completely.
Yield: Each recipe makes 1 drink and should not be made in big batches.
Glassware: An Irish Coffee mug is great, but if all else fails, just choose something clear.

Nutrition