The Easiest Classic Irish Coffee Recipe | Cake 'n Knife (2024)

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A simple and delicious Irish coffee is easy to make and so flavorful! With just a few simple ingredients, you can have this co*cktail ready in about 5 minutes. The classic combination of coffee and Irish whiskey is a cozy drink everyone will love.

about this Irish coffee

A warm Irish coffee at the end of the day can really turn your world around.

In the winter, whether it is bright and sunny or gloomy, the cold weather has me gravitating towards anything that will bring me comfort. This includes, but certainly isn’t limited to electric blankets, fleece pjs, candles, and puppy snuggles.

Or a co*cktail that will warm my insides.

Yep, that’ll do the trick every time!

I love giving my Irish coffees an extra thick helping of lightly whipped heavy cream. It’s the way I would prefer to put cream in my coffee every day. Forever.

Plus I look super cute with a whipped cream mustache. At least that’s what I like to tell myself… 🙂

what is Irish coffee?

An Irish Coffee is a classic 4-ingredient co*cktail that is meant to warm you up on a chilly night. It’s a simple recipe that combines hot coffee with toasty whiskey, and the creamy topping ensure a velvety richness that’s irresistible.

Note: This is an updated version of the original posted on January 15, 2015.

ingredients

coffee. Use your favorite hot coffee for this recipe! You can use whatever type you like. The better quality the coffee, the better the co*cktail will taste. I’m sure that goes without saying, but it matters in a drink with such few ingredients.

sugar. We prefer brown sugar for this recipe because the flavor enhances the coffee and the whiskey. You can also use granulated sugar for a sweetener, if you prefer.

whiskey. Irish whiskey is best for this recipe! We use Jameson more often than not. Use an Irish whiskey that you love because the flavor will come through in every sip.

cream. Heavy whipping cream is all you need to make the creamy topping!

this recipe’s must-haves

You don’t need much to make this recipe! First you will need your favorite coffee machine to make the coffee.

To make the lightly whipped cream, you’ll need either a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or an electric hand mixer with a large bowl.

Finally, I like to serve this recipe in clear coffee mugs so you can see the contrast between the dark coffee mixture and whipped cream topping. Really any heat-resistant glass will do!

here’s how to make a classic irish coffee

make the topping

Whip the cream lightly. It should not reach soft peaks, or stiff peaks! Make sure it is just thickened up a bit without turning it into whipped cream.

make the co*cktail

Stir together the hot coffee, brown sugar, and whiskey in a mug. I like to use a classic Irish coffee mug.

assemble

Gently pour the lightly whipped cream over the back of a spoon. It should slowly form a thick layer on top of the coffee. Garnish with chocolate shavings or nutmeg, if desired, and serve.

irish coffee variations

There are so many different ways you can serve this co*cktail! Not only is it a delicious hot beverage to enjoy, it can be served a variety of different ways:

• Add Baileys. Use Baileys Irish Cream in lieu of Irish whiskey to make it a Baileys coffee! You can also add a splash to this recipe to add some Irish cream flavor to the mix.
• Make it chilled. Use cold brew instead of hot coffee to make a cold version of this coffee. Serve it over ice and spoon the whipped topping on top!
• Make a coffee float! A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top instead of whipped creams turns this co*cktail into a co*cktail float.
• Garnish. Garnish the top with some shaved dark chocolate for a little extra flair. You can also add a dash of freshly grated nutmeg or ground cinnamon.

More Irish whiskey co*cktails to sip on: Jameson Whiskey Sour | Jameson Old Fashioned | Irish Mule | Jameson Manhattan

what’s the difference between Baileys coffee and Irish coffee?

The difference between a Baileys coffee and an Irish coffee is simply the alcohol used in the coffee recipe! For a Baileys coffee, the base is Baileys Irish Cream. For an Irish coffee, the base is Irish whiskey.

could I add Baileys Irish Cream to this recipe?

Yes, you can make this drink creamy by swapping out the Irish whiskey for Baileys Irish Cream. This will give the coffee a new texture and flavor, making it a Baileys coffee co*cktial.

how strong is Irish coffee?

This Irish coffee is about as strong as any other co*cktail you might order while out at a bar. The total alcohol in this drink is 2 ounces. You can adjust this up or down, depending on your flavor preferences and how strong you’d like the drink to be.

what’s the best whiskey to use for this recipe?

The best whiskey to use for this recipe is an Irish whiskey! You could use Jameson Irish Whiskey, or whatever your favorite brand might be.

Need some inspiration for co*cktail hour? Check out my co*cktail recipes page!

what to serve with an Irish coffee

This coffee co*cktail is ideal for any evening, making it cozy and warming. The flavors of coffee and whiskey are wonderful for pairing with chocolate desserts like a chocolate tart, chocolate truffles, or biscoff brownies. Pair this coffee with somenutella puff pastry piesfor a fun baked treat!

You can also pair it with vanilla ice cream, or really any other dessert that you like.

more fun ways to use coffee

Luxurious cinnamon coffee ice cream is the perfect blend of coffee and cinnamon!

These coffee cookies with dark chocolate and sea salt are quick, easy, and chewy.

Chipotle coffee crusted rack of lamb is smoky and savory, making it the perfect dinner party meal.

Finally, if you make this Irish coffee recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me onInstagramif you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!