The True Flavour of Irish Coffee

After celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a good Irish dinner there’s nothing like a nice hot cup of Irish Coffee to cap off the evening.

I’ve given this part of the meal quite a bit of consideration over the years. I have a tea towel of Irish linen printed with a recipe for Irish Coffee and even a picture of it being prepared by what might be leprechauns themselves.

While the recipe on the tea towel recommends a stemmed whiskey goblet for this drink I don’t care for coffee served in glass. Instead I shopped for the perfect Irish Coffee mugs. I came up with these pedestal mugs made by Hall.

They are made of a thick ceramic that holds the heat well. I adore the elven ear shaped handle that puts me in mind of the wee folk pictured on the tea towel. They add a touch of whimsy to my St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Once you’ve found a suitable goblet or mug all you’ll need is a good stout cup of strong brewed coffee, a smidge of brown sugar and some heavy cream to keep company with your Irish whiskey.

Irish Coffee

Makes 4 servings

4 heaping teaspoons brown sugar (or 4 – 12 sugar cubes)

a pot of hot strong coffee

1/4 – 1/2 cup whipping cream

5 ozs Irish whiskey

Heat your coffee mugs by filling them with very hot water and letting them sit as you collect the ingredients.

When ready, dump the water from the mug and assemble your drink:

1. Place a heaping teaspoon of brown sugar in the bottom of a mug. (You can use 1 to 3 sugar cubes if you prefer, but I like the taste of brown sugar best.)

2. Fill the mug to within an inch of the brim with hot strong coffee.

3. Pour about 1¼ ounces of Irish whiskey into the coffee and stir.

4. Pour heavy whipping cream over the back of the spoon and onto the top of the coffee. Or froth the cream lightly before spooning it on top to help keep it afloat. Do not stir in the cream. My tea towel assures me that “the true flavour is obtained by drinking the hot coffee and Irish whiskey through the cool cream.”

5. As you raise your mug this St. Patrick’s Day don’t forget to have a proper toast at the tip of your tongue. It is perhaps the toasts and Irish blessings that add the truest taste of Ireland to your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Here are a few good choices:

May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been,

The foresight to know where you are going,

And the insight to know when you have gone too far

and

May God grant you always…

A sunbeam to warm you,

a moonbeam to charm you,

a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you.

Laughter to cheer you.

Faithful friends near you.

And whenever you pray,

Heaven to hear you.”

Slainte!

11 Comments

  1. The mug handle brings to mind a harp shape ~ how perfect.

  2. Ha ha, I knew I shouldn't have read this, I fancy a cup of coffee now. Great photos!

  3. Yummmmmmmmmmmm. Time to pick up some Irish Whiskey.

    And I, like Pam, love the tea towel.

  4. Ah Irish coffee, a legitimate reason to get up in the morning 😉

  5. Love this post!

  6. Jessica - The Novice Chef

    This looks fabulous! I am so glad I discovered your blog!!

  7. I love that tea towel!

  8. i'm definitely a mug girl myself, and although i typically think anything added to coffee taints it, i'd make an exception for this–it sounds marvelous!

  9. George Gaston

    Lisa, I could tell you some "tall" Irish tales about drinking Irish Coffees in Dublin one rainy rainy day. But I drank so many, I forgot most of them.

    Your post is absolutely marvelous and I raise my glass to you on this most glorious St. Patrick's Day!

  10. I love this and the toasts a the end!

  11. Kathy Walker

    Loved your post! I have often wondered how Irish Coffee was prepared. I must give it a try. Your toast is perfect!

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