Irish Coffee - The Real Story

It has been said that there are more Irish around the world than there are in Ireland. And it is said that on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish. So, I guess that statement's true one way or the other. One thing is for certain though, wherever the Irish have gone, they have carried along with their customs, their culture, and their luck along with, of course, their wonderful traditions in tow. One of those wonderful Irish traditions is a drink called Irish coffee.

So, who created Irish coffee? What’s the story?

Irish coffee was created in the winter of 1943 by Joe Sheridan, chef at Foynes Port, near Limerick Ireland. Foynes had become one of the biggest airports in Europe during World War II, and then in airbase for trans-Atlantic flights that often carried political or Hollywood figures. This airbase was usually just a stopover for longer flights to refuel. And often due to weather, passengers would need to stay for the night, and a restaurant was created to cater to those tired and weary souls.

On one evening, a flight had to turn back to Foynes airbase midway through its journey across the Atlantic. Chef Joe Sheridan, feeling sorry for the cold, shaken, and stranded passengers wondered what he could do to ease their plight. Thinking that on this cold winter night, a good strong cup of coffee would work to warm them up. But upon seeing their shaken state after surviving an extremely rough flight on a return to the base, he figured they could also use a good shot of Irish whiskey to calm their rattled nerves. And thus, with a couple of additions-the brown sugar and the whipped cream, this heartwarming inviting, and warming Irish libation was born and served to the very grateful passengers. The story goes that a silence descended as everyone enjoyed his delectable concoction. According to legend, the name came about with the following exchange. "Hey buddy," said a surprised American passenger, "Is this Brazilian coffee?" "No." Said Joe. "That's Irish coffee," as he served the first-ever round of “Irish Coffee” to the grateful, stranded passengers. 

Later, Sheridan used his Irish wit to explain how to make a true Irish coffee in explaining what it takes.

Cream - Rich as an Irish brogue.

Coffee - Strong as a friendly hand.

Sugar - Sweet as the tongue of a rogue.

Whiskey - Smooth as the wit of the land. 

How did Irish coffee become so famous? After the war in 1952, a travel writer by the name of Stanton Delaplane was one of many travelers who became enamored by the Irish coffee. He is credited with bringing the recipe back to the United States specifically to the attention of bartender Jack Kepler of San Francisco's Buena Vista Cafe. When Kepler tried to make the drink, the cream kept sinking. So he traveled to the source to learn the correct way to make the Irish coffee and ended up offering Joe Sheridan a position at his cafe where millions of Irish coffees had been over the years. For a true taste of the original, order one at the Foynes Museum in Ireland. Or, if you don't make it across the pond, try the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco.

Using the best coffee beans, ground, and brewed properly plays a supporting role to the other key component. So, buy some of the best coffee and brew it up.  Make sure it's nice and hot before beginning.

There's no question about it. Irish coffee should be made with a true Irish whiskey and lots of love. Choose an Irish whiskey in the mid-range with a mildly sweet finish to counter the coffee.

The original recipe for Irish coffee: 

Four ounces, strong, rich hot coffee.

One in one-half ounces, Irish whiskey.

Two teaspoons of brown sugar.

One ounce lightly whipped, double cream.

1. Warm the mug with hot water. 

2. Pour the sugar and then the coffee into the warmed mug. 

3. Stir until dissolved. 

4. Add the Irish whiskey and stir again.  

5. Float the cream on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon. Do not stir. Instead, drink the coffee through the cream.

For a slightly different take on the original, I’ll also offer this alternative.

How to make Bailey's Irish cream coffee recipe:

1. In a tall glass, add hot brewed coffee, Bailey’s, and Irish whiskey, then stir well. Do a quick taste test. If you'd like it to be sweeter, add up to one tablespoon or a teaspoon of light brown sugar, then stir. 

2. Then if you desire, top Irish coffee with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and more brown sugar. 

3.  Serve immediately.

Source: Bailey's Irish coffee recipe.

Whatever Irish libation you end up choosing, sit back, relax, and enjoy. 

And just remember, on St. Patrick’s Day we’re all Irish.

“May your glass be ever full. May the roof over your head be forever strong. And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.”

Slainte!