This Irish coffee is inspired by family and food memories. Strong coffee, warming whiskey and cinnamon, and a dollop of freshly whipped cream make this the coziest cold weekend bev.
Most people are so shocked to learn that I’m 75% Irish. Both of my parents grew up celebrating Irish culture and tradition, and Ireland is still high on the list of places I want to visit so I can see and learn more about this part of my ancestry.
My Grandma Mary was actually born on March 17 and always loved that she was a St. Patty’s Day baby, so Saint Patrick’s Day has always been a day with two reasons for celebration, and you can trust that we know how to have double the fun. There’s no better way to celebrate, connect to, and carry on culture, tradition, and family than with delicious food and drinks.
Every year (outside of Covid times, ugh), we have a big family dinner to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day and Grandma Mary’s birthday. We all wear green and orange, the fire crackles, traditional Irish music plays, and we gather around the table for an absolute feast of Irish fare: corned beef and cabbage, several Irish soda bread recipes with tons of Irish butter (we love you so, Kerry Gold), multiple creations using the almighty potato, and different versions of every other root vegetable you can possibly imagine, plus tons more.
For dessert, we switch it up throughout the years. However, there is one constant star that always makes an appearance: Irish Coffee. My Aunt Pat makes the best Irish coffees, and she has graciously passed down to me her two main rules: a generous kick of whiskey, and the whipped cream MUST be homemade and prepared right before serving. She brings all of the ingredients to the party and whips the cream as the coffee brews after dinner. This generous dollop of frothy, creamy, luscious cream is absolute magic, as it perches on top and slowly streams down the sides of the glass mug, giving each sip of coffee a comforting, slightly sweet and creamy flavor.
G-Ma, as we called her, is sadly no longer with us. I miss her all the time and continue to call on her strength and grace throughout many situations in my life. We still toast to her each year at our Saint Patrick’s Day celebration, and I know she’s reading this beautiful food memory right now, smiling and celebrating, Irish coffee in hand. This Cozy Weekend Irish Coffee is inspired by the love and warmth of family.
This recipe is included inYour 2021 TBOS Holiday Recipe Guide. If you make it, be sure to tag @threebirdsonestove so I can see how you're enjoying this warming beverage.
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes
Yield: 1 Irish Coffee
Ingredients
For the Whipped Cream:
¼ cup heavy whipping cream
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon vanilla sugar or confectioner’s sugar
For the Coffee:
8 ounces bold coffee
2 ounces whiskey
1 ounce Irish cream liqueur, like Bailey’s
1 tablespoon cane sugar (more if preferred)
¼ teaspoon cinnamon, plus more for topping
Freshly, lightly whipped cream (method below)
Directions
Add whipped cream ingredients to a chilled mixer and mix on medium-high just until smooth peaks form. Place in fridge.
Pour whiskey, Irish cream liqueur, and sugar into a glass mug. Prepare the coffee, add to mug, and stir to combine.
Top with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve immediately.
