The History of Irish Coffee
- Warming Hearts Since 1942
History and Recipe
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The History of Irish Coffee - Warming Hearts Since 1942
Article by Andreanne
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It might
sound like an ancient recipe, but Irish coffee was a 20th Century invention.
Learn the history of this spirited coffee and how it’s made.
Irish coffee was born on a cold winter’s eve in 1942. The birthplace of this rich beverage was Foynes Airbase in Limerick, Ireland (now know as Shannon International Airport). The drink started as a quick remedy for cold airline passengers, but went down in history as one of the all-time favorite ways to drink a cup of coffee.
Irish Coffee’s Origins:
As the story goes, a flight full of American passengers was recalled to Foynes Airbase after struggling against heavy storms for several hours. The flight landed safely at the airbase, and the passengers disembarked. Though grateful to be alive, they were cold and miserable in the freezing night air.
Enter Joseph Sheridan. He was the chef at the airbase terminal restaurant. When he caught sight of the chilly passengers, he decided to whip up a concoction that would warm their bodies as well as their spirits. Sheridan brewed up some hot coffee and added a splash of good Irish whiskey to the mix. The passengers enjoyed the hot coffee’s unique flavor. One passenger even asked Sheridan if they were drinking Brazilian coffee. Chef Sheridan famously replied, “No, that’s Irish coffee.”
Today, the original Irish Coffee drink can be enjoyed at Shannon Airport in the Joe Sheridan Café Bar where a plaque marking his achievement had been erected.
The Foynes Flying Boat Museum holds an annual Irish Coffee Festival in August which includes the World Irish Coffee Championship in County Limerick. The celebration includes participants from the world's best hotels, restaurants and bars.
Irish Coffee Comes to America:
Since then, the spirited beverage has been in demand all over the world. Its arrival in America has been credited to three different people.
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Stanton Delaplane, a travel writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, says that he persuaded San Francisco’s Buena Vista Bar to start serving the beverage in 1952.
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Others claim that Joseph Sheridan himself brought the drink to the Buena Vista Bar in that same year.
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Tom Bergin’s Tavern in Los Angeles has had a sign in its window since the early 1950’s which reads: “House of Irish Coffee.”
To whomever brought Irish
coffee to America, we salute you! There’s nothing better to be had on a cold
night full of laughter and friends. Now, anyone can make Irish Coffee whenever
it strikes their fancy.
Authentic Irish Coffee: The Recipe
The next time
you’ve got chilly guests, follow Joe Sheridan’s example. Warm their spirits with
a spirited beverage that has been a favorite since 1942: Irish coffee.
1 measure or shot (2 ounces) Irish whiskey
3 sugar cubes (1 1/2 heaping teaspoons granulated sugar)*
Strong black coffee
2 teaspoons heavy or whipping cream
*
Some recipes use brown sugar.
Heat a stemmed whiskey goblet (7-ounce coffee cup or goblet may be substituted)
with boiling water so that it is good and hot.
Pour in 1 shot of whiskey and add the sugar cubes. Fill with strong black coffee to within 1 inch of the top; stir gently until sugar is dissolved.
Top with thick, fresh cream. Pour the liquid cream over the back of a teaspoon held just above the coffee’s surface. Gradually raise the spoon as you slowly pour the cream. This will result in a layer of liquid cream that floats on top of the coffee. Drinking the coffee through the layer of cream results in the rich, authentic flavor that the coffee’s drinkers originally enjoyed. Do not stir. Irish coffee is best enjoyed by sipping the coffee through the cream.
Makes 1 serving.