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What is Irish Coffee and How Do You Make It?

Irish coffee was invented in the winter of 1943 by Joe Sheridan, a chef working at a restaurant at Foynes Airport in the small town of Limerick, Ireland. For the first time, Irish coffee was made for the frozen passengers on a transatlantic flight to New York, who had to return to Ireland due to bad weather.

Later, food critic Stanton Delaplane brought this cocktail to San Francisco. Soon, the author of coffee and whiskey, Joe Sheridan, moved to America and began working in a bar that is now called Buena Vista.

Here is a quick guide on how to prepare an Irish coffee by yourself.

Recommended Machines to Use for Making Irish Coffee

In order for your Irish coffee to taste good, there are some simple things to keep in mind. While it is true that it can be made using different methods & machines, there definitely are the ones that can produce a better taste. Down below, I would like to recommend machines that I have tested myself – if you follow the instructions, you can be sure to get a high-quality cup of coffee in a matter of several minutes.

Espresso Machine – Yields The Best Results

So, some people think that using an Espresso machine is not easy. Yes, I agree with that but after several tries, it is perfectly possible to master your technique. In order to prepare Irish coffee with it, you are going to need some ingredients, including:

If you have all of these things at home, it means that you are ready to start preparing your coffee. The process looks something like the following:

  1. Start by grinding your coffee. Then add it to the portafilter and tamp.
  2. Pull 2 shots of Espresso.
  3. Add sugar (it is completely optional)
  4. Add some hot water to your Espresso, so there is some room for other ingredients as well.
  5. Then add some whiskey and liqueur and stir the coffee.
  6. Top your drink with cream and that’s it!

Check Out the Best Espresso Machines Here!

Percolator – As Close to an Espresso As Possible

Percolator might be a great idea for individuals that want a cheap and easy alternative. It is a simple coffee maker that does not require you to have some special skills. Because of its simplicity, you will have the possibility to brew your Irish coffee in a comfortable manner. The preparation process is the same, the only difference is that in this case, you will use a Percolator instead of an Espresso machine.

Top Percolators to Choose From

What Beans are Recommended for Making Irish Coffee?

As it was in the case of machines, not every coffee bean will be suitable for Irish coffee. From my personal experience, I would say that 100% Arabica beans can produce the best possible taste, however, it does not mean that you should only stick to them.

Although most people would like slightly lighter beans for an Irish coffee to let the whiskey shine, I believe that strong beans are much better, because it then creates the illusion of drinking coffee liquor. In the list down below, you can check out which beans can help you make a better drink.

Ethiopia Coffee Beans Bolivian Coffee Beans Mexican Coffee Beans Brazilian Coffee Beans

Individual Bean Types for Irish Coffee

We have already listed the countries where you can get the most suitable coffee beans for Irish coffee but what about individual ones? Catuai, Mokha, Icatu, and Harrar coffee beans are the ones that most coffee lovers believe go best with this type. So, if you plan to prepare Irish coffee, it might be the best idea to choose one from our list.

Catuai Mokha Icatu Harrar

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Irish Coffee

What is the best whiskey for Irish coffee?

How do you get the cream to float on an Irish coffee?

Can I use Jack Daniels in Irish coffee?

Can you get drunk on Irish coffee?

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