Irish Coffee
Hot coffee and whiskey sit beneath a cool cap of lightly thickened cream. Sugar dissolves into the coffee before the spirit is added; the cream should float while staying pourable, rather than becoming a stiff dessert topping.
Legal drinking age · Enjoy responsiblyMake it like a pro.
5 minutes preparation plus about 3 minutes brewing or warming coffee.
- 01
Whisk the cold cream just until thickened and still pourable; stop before soft peaks.
- 02
Put the sugar in a heatproof glass that comfortably holds the full serving. Add the measured hot brewed coffee and stir until the sugar dissolves.
- 03
Stir in the whiskey away from a heat source. Do not boil or flame the drink.
- 04
Pour the measured cream slowly over the back of a spoon just above the coffee so it floats in a layer. Serve without stirring the cream through.
Tools for This Recipe
Helpful equipment for making this recipe at home.
A small saucepan for warming milk, spices, chocolate, and café bases.
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Easy swaps
- Use the same volume of decaffeinated brewed coffee for less caffeine; the whiskey remains alcoholic.
- Replace granulated sugar with 8 g brown sugar if desired; use the chosen sugar source for a revised estimate.
Mixpert tips
- The coffee should be hot, while the cream stays cold and lightly thickened.
- A clear heatproof glass shows the layer, but a suitably sized mug also works.
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Irish Coffee FAQs
Why did the cream sink?
Very thin cream can mix into the coffee, while overwhipped cream sits in lumps. Thicken it only until pourable, dissolve the sugar in the coffee first, then add the cream gently over a spoon.
Is Irish coffee alcohol-free because it is hot?
No. Whiskey is added after the coffee is brewed, and the method does not remove its alcohol. Heating alone is not a dependable way to make an alcoholic drink alcohol-free.
Can I use espresso?
A larger volume of brewed coffee is the reference preparation. Replacing it with a small espresso shot changes strength, yield and ingredient proportions; use the measured brewed coffee for this version.