Irish Coffee
Few cocktails have a story as rich as the Irish Coffee. First created in the 1940s by Chef Joe Sheridan at Ireland’s Foynes Airbase to warm weary travelers, the drink crossed the Atlantic and found new fame at The Buena Vista Café in San Francisco. In 1952, owner Jack Koeppler and travel writer Stanton Delaplane perfected the balance of strong coffee, smooth Irish whiskey, brown sugar, and a crown of lightly whipped cream. The result became a West Coast icon and remains one of the most beloved warm cocktails in the world. This version captures that same legendary flavor — silky, aromatic, and irresistibly comforting — just like the one poured daily at the Buena Vista for over 70 years.
TheKnird
Warm, rich, and timeless — the Irish Coffee is one of the world’s most iconic cocktails. First created in the 1940s at Foynes Airbase in Ireland to comfort weary travelers, it was perfected a decade later at The Buena Vista Café in San Francisco, where owner Jack Koeppler and travel writer Stanton Delaplane refined the recipe that’s now famous around the globe. This version follows their perfected balance — smooth Irish whiskey, hot coffee, a touch of sugar, and a cool layer of whipped cream — simple, elegant, and impossible to improve upon.
Ingredients (1 Serving)
4 ounces (120 ml) hot, strong brewed coffee
1½ ounces (45 ml) Irish whiskey (Tullamore D.E.W. or Jameson recommended)
1–2 teaspoons brown sugar (adjust to taste)
½ ounce (15 ml) lightly whipped heavy cream (enough to float on top)
Optional: freshly grated nutmeg for garnish
Instructions
Warm a heatproof glass or mug by filling it with hot water for a minute, then discard the water.
Pour in the hot coffee and stir in the brown sugar until completely dissolved.
Add the Irish whiskey and stir again to blend evenly.
Lightly whip the cream — it should form soft peaks but still be pourable.
Slowly pour the cream over the back of a spoon so it floats gently on top of the coffee.
Serve immediately and enjoy by sipping the hot coffee through the cool cream layer.
Make-Ahead and Notes
Always use freshly brewed coffee for the best aroma and flavor.
The cream should be just lightly whipped — too thick and it won’t float.
Preheating the glass helps the layers hold longer.
Skip the nutmeg for a purist’s take or sprinkle lightly for a festive touch.
Why This Recipe Works
This Buena Vista Café–inspired Irish Coffee is considered the gold standard for balance and presentation. It preserves the drink’s Irish roots while honoring the American innovation that made it legendary. The warmth of the coffee, the richness of the whiskey, and the silky cream on top create one of the most perfectly layered cocktails ever made.