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Irish Coffee
Created in the 1940s to warm up weary travelers, this classic cocktail remains a worldwide favorite for good reason. Hot, robust coffee meets a warming spike of Irish whiskey, all sweetened just enough to balance the bite. The real magic happens at the top, where a thick collar of freshly shaken heavy cream floats gently over the dark brew. It's the ultimate after-dinner drink that'll thaw you out on the chilliest of evenings.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Irish whiskey
- 3 oz coffee
- 2 teaspoons sugar
Instructions
- 1Combine 2 ounces of heavy cream and 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar in a chilled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously until the cream thickens and the sugar dissolves. Don't over-shake, or it'll turn into butter before you know it.
- 2Pour 3 ounces of hot coffee, 1 1/2 ounces of Irish whiskey, and 2 teaspoons of sugar into a heatproof glass. Stir well so the sugar dissolves completely.
- 3Gently pour the thickened cream over the back of a spoon to float it on top of the hot coffee. Pouring over a spoon breaks the fall so the cream doesn't sink into the drink.
Notes
- Glassware: Pre-warm your glass with hot water before building the drink so it stays hotter longer.
- Coffee choice: A strong, medium-to-dark roast works best to stand up to the whiskey.
- Technique: If you don't have a cocktail shaker, you can whisk the cream in a bowl or shake it in a tightly sealed mason jar.