• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Gin Cocktails
  • Vodka Cocktails
  • Tequila Cocktails
  • Rum Cocktails
  • Whiskey Cocktails
  • Brandy Cocktails
  • Shots
  • Mixed Drinks

Occasional Cocktails logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Drink Recipes
  • Cocktail eBook
  • Shots
  • Simple Syrup
  • About
search icon
Homepage link
  • Drink Recipes
  • Cocktail eBook
  • Shots
  • Simple Syrup
  • About
×
Home » Whiskey Cocktails

Apr 27, 2023 by Kristin

The Easiest Irish Coffee Recipe

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Occassional Cocktails may earn compensation from purchases made after clicking links on this page. Learn more Here.

This super easy Irish coffee is a classic cocktail you are sure to love. If you are a caffeine fiend and want a little punch of alcohol in your drink, this is one you have to try.

closeup of irish coffee on a wooden table

What is a Irish Coffee?

An Irish coffee is a combination of hot freshly brewed coffee, Irish whiskey, cream and sugar. The resulting taste of this drink is a decadent sweet and creamy coffee that has a bite from the Irish whiskey.

This drink is called an Irish coffee for two reasons. First, it was made in Ireland originally. Secondly, it is a combination of Irish whiskey and coffee.

Irish whiskey is a type of whiskey that is made in Ireland. It is typically made from barley. It is a very light incredibly smooth liquor that typically has hints of fruit and vanilla. We prefer to use Jameson Irish whiskey. However, there are a multitude of different brands you can choose from.

When choosing a coffee for this drink, it’s best to use a strong high quality coffee. However, choose one that is unflavored. You can use any type of brewing method you prefer.

When to Make This Drink:

This super simple classic cocktail can be served at a variety of different times including:

  • mid-afternoon drinks
  • after dinner drinks
  • Winter get togethers
  • holiday parties

Variations:

Though this is considered a classic cocktail, there are a couple ways that you can change this one up including:

  • Use brown sugar. Often times regular white sugar is used in this drink. However, some recipes call for brown sugar which in parts a little more of a caramelized sweetness.
  • Use whipped cream. Though we chose to float the heavy cream on top of this cocktail. You can use whipped cream instead of heavy cream or an addition to it.
  • Use decaf coffee. Typically regular coffee is used in this drink, however you can get the same taste with decaf coffee if you aren’t a caffeine drinker.
  • Change up the brewing method. Try out and espresso or a French press coffee for example if you want to change up the strength of the coffee and the brewing method.

Some similar hot coffee drinks are: Bailey’s Coffee, Kahlua coffee and frangelico Coffee.

How to make this drink:

With four simple ingredients you can have this one stirred together and under 5 minutes. Simply add everything to your mug and make sure they’re well combined.

Equipment:

  • coffee mug or rocks glass
  • jigger
  • bar spoon

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey
  • 4 – 5 oz Coffee
  • 1 oz heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
rocks glass next to coffee pot, heavy cream and irish whiskey

Instructions:

Step one

Gather all of the necessary items for this drink including hot freshly brewed coffee, Jameson’s Irish whiskey, sugar, heavy cream, bar spoon, jigger and coffee mug.

Step two

To ensure that your drink stays warm after it is poured, add some hot water to your coffee mug as you get your coffee and other items prepared. Then, pour the hot water out as you get started making the drink.

filling jigger with irish whiskey

Step three

Grab your Jameson and measure out 1.5 oz using the jigger. Toss the Jameson directly into your coffee mug.

Step four

Grab the sugar. Measure out one teaspoon and add it into the coffee mug with the Irish whiskey.

pouring coffee into a rocks glass

Step Five

Grab your coffee. Measure out 4 – 5 ounces with a jigger. Add it to the mug as well.

Pro tip: if you want to skip measuring the coffee you can. Simply pour it directly into the mug, but make sure to leave a little room for the cream.

Step six

Make sure that the sugar, coffee and whiskey are well mixed. Place your bar spoon in your drink and give a couple stirs.

pouring heavy cream over the back of a bar spoon

Step seven

Take your heavy cream and jigger. Measure out 1 oz of heavy cream.

Place your bar spoon upside down in the glass just above the liquid. Slowly pour the heavy cream over the back of the bar spoon so that it sits towards the top of your coffee.

Recipe

irish coffee surrounded by ingredient bottles
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Irish Coffee

Prep Time10 minutes mins
Course: Drinks
Keyword: Irish Coffee
Servings: 1

Equipment

  • jigger
  • bar spoon
  • Rocks glass

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz Irish Whiskey
  • 4 – 5 oz Hot Coffee
  • 1 oz Heavy Cream
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar

Instructions

  • Use you favorite brewing method to whip up a pot of coffee.
  • Measure out 1.5 oz of Jameson Irish Whiskey. Pour that into the glass. 4 – 5 oz Coffee1 oz heavy cream1 teaspoon of sugar
  • Measure out 4 – 5 oz of coffee. Pour that into the glass.
    pro tip: if you want to simply pour the coffee straight into the glass, you can do that also, leave a few inches for the heavy cream to be added.
  • Measure 1 teaspoon of sugar and add that to the glass.
  • Take the bar spoon and stir the drink.
  • Measure out 1 oz of heavy cream with the jigger.
  • Take the bar spoon and turn it upside down in the glass just above the liquid line.
  • Slowly pour the heavy cream over the back of the bar soon into the glass so that it sits on top of the drink.

More Whiskey Cocktail Recipes

  • Peanut butter whiskey milkshake with chocolate syrup and whipped cream.
    Peanut Butter Whiskey Milkshake
  • Tennessee mule on a wooden table with mint in the mug.
    Tennessee Mule
  • Whiskey on the rocks on a wooden table.
    Whiskey on the Rocks
  • Dropping shot glasses into bear claw drink with ingredients next to the glasses.
    Bear Claw Cocktail

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hey there, we are Kristin & Justin! After Justin spent over a decade as a bartender, we decided to bring that mixology online so everyone can mix up the best drinks

More about us →

Popular Cocktails

  • tequila and sprite
    Tequila And Sprite: The Margarita On A Budget
  • whiskey and cream soda in a glass with a cherry garnish
    Whiskey and Cream Soda Recipe
  • brandy and coke
    Brandy And Coke: Very Special Brandy Cola Recipe
  • Closeup of blue motherfucker cocktail
    Blue Motherfucker Drink (AKA Adios Motherfucker)
  • french kiss shot with ingredient bottles in the background
    Fun and Inappropriate Dirty Drink Names
  • vodka and sprite
    Vodka And Sprite

Fall Drink Favorites

  • tequila and apple juice in a glass
    Tequila and Apple Juice: a fall drink
  • close up of black martini
    Black Martini – a perfect Halloween drink
  • red death drink in a highball glass on a wooden table
    Red Death Drink
  • shot glass with alien brain hemmorage with liquor bottles visible in the background
    Alien Brain Hemorrhage – a spooky shot

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy

Join us!

  • Join our newsletter and get a FREE cocktail making cheat sheet.

Contact

  • About

Please drink responsibly.  Follow all local/federal alcohol laws.  We are not advocating underage or irresponsible drinking of any kind.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 MrAnimal Media LLC