My mom used to make Irish coffee all the time, and now that I think of it, it wasn’t necessarily St. Patrick’s Day when she made it. In fact, I don’t think it was ever St. Patrick’s Day when she made it.
And she’s not even Irish.
MOM! I’M TELLING!
Okay, in all seriousness: I was being totally serious. My mom made Irish coffee all the time, it was never on St. Patrick’s Day, and she can’t even blame her lineage.
I am my mother’s daughter.
Anyway, this is such a glorious treat, whether it's St. Patrick's Day or not. And it's super simple: just brew some good, strong coffee and whip up some Irish cream-spiked whipped cream. You can use this homemade Irish cream recipe or opt for store-bought. Then add a little Irish whiskey and brown sugar to your mug. Pour in the hot coffee and give it a stir, then top with a big pile of the whipped cream. Make it for a St. Patrick's Day dessert, a weekend brunch, or any time if you're my mom! (Sorry, Mom.)
What kind of whiskey is best for Irish coffee?
Irish whiskey, of course! Here's a roundup of some of the best Irish whiskeys if you need a little guidance before shopping. That said, you can absolutely use whatever whiskey you already have on hand. For the best flavor balance, choose a whiskey that’s mild, smooth, and slightly sweet.
Can you make Irish coffee ahead of time?
Irish coffee should be assembled just before serving so the coffee is hot and that signature layer of thick, fluffy whipped cream stays on top.
You can, however, make the Baileys whipped cream up to two hours in advance. Cover and store it in the fridge. If the whipped cream looks a little deflated, give it a gentle whisk to bring it back to life before using.
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Ingredients
1 cup cold heavy cream
3 Tbsp. Baileys Irish Cream
1/2 cup Irish whiskey
4 Tbsp. brown sugar
4 cups strong hot coffee
Directions
Step 1In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the heavy cream and Baileys. Whip together on medium-high until stiff and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside.
Step 2To each of 4 large coffee mugs, add 2 tablespoons whiskey, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 cup coffee. Top with a very generous layer of the Baileys whipped cream. (Almost one-third of the cup should be taken up by the whipped cream.)
Step 3Drink the coffee through the cream! Delicious.
Ree Drummond
Ree Drummond
Before you start making the coffee, whip up some demonic and devilish and sinful topping for the coffee. Add some cold heavy cream to the bowl of a mixer…
Ree Drummond
Then splash in some Baileys! Baileys is basically a liqueur made from Irish whiskey and cream, and you can leave it out if you don’t have any or don’t wanna buy any…it just makes this extra good. (If you don’t use Baileys, just add a little sugar and a touch of vanilla!)
Ree Drummond
Then just beat it until it’s stiff and sweet and light and fluffy. Set it aside for a sec.
The essential component of Irish coffee is—hiccup—whiskey!
So add about 2 to 3 tablespoons of whiskey to a mug…
Ree Drummond
Then add about a tablespoon of brown sugar for some beautiful sweetness.
Ree Drummond
Stir the whiskey and brown sugar together, then pour in some nice, strong coffee.
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Stir it around to make sure it’s all combined, then grab an enormous dollop of the whipped cream concoction…
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And spoon it right on top.
And you know what? I’m afraid this amount isn’t sufficient.
Ree Drummond
Ahh…that’s more like it! You want a nice, thick layer of cream so you can sip the coffee through the cream, which will make you a happier, more well-rounded person.
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