Irish coffee is THE St Patrick’s Day cocktail for coffee lovers. That is only true if done well (or consumed late enough in the evening).Mediocre coffee, cheap whiskey and sugary, spray-on whip cream will not endear you to the Irish. Not to worry. Nixie’s Irish coffee recipe will have leprechauns beating down your door for a nightcap.
Nixie’s Special Irish Coffee Recipe
Ingredients
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4 oz Nixie’s coffee
We recommend Nixie’s Signature Blend (ground or whole bean). Its bold flavor and velvety richness complements Irish whiskey’s hint of sweetness. Nixie’s 100% Columbian Roast (ground or whole bean) also works well. Its tart, fruity start and bittersweet, dark cocoa note ending adds rich complexity.
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1.5 oz Irish Whiskey
Out of Irish whisky? Local package store closed? No problem. Substitute Bailey’s Irish cream or similar liqueur.
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2 tsp sugar
Consider using lightly-processed Demerara sugar. This light brown sugar has a hint of molasses that brings out the caramel notes in the whiskey. You can use granulated sugar, brown sugar or even Stevia for a different taste.
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Whipped cream
Make your own using heavy whipping cream. Do not use canned or prepackaged whipped cream with added sugar. It will make it too sweet.
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Warm coffee glass
A warm glass prevents the tragedy of lukewarm Irish coffee.
Directions
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Place coffee on to brew. Brew the coffee strong enough to cover the whiskey without losing its fruit and cereal tones. This may require experimentation.
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Fill the coffee glass with boiling water to keep it warm.
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Whip the cream until peaks start to develop. Consider pre-cooling the bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes to make the cream whip faster.
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Once the coffee has reached its optimal brewing time, empty the hot water from the coffee glass.
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Place 2 tsp of sugar into the warm coffee glass.
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Add 4 ounces of coffee and stir until dissolved.
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Add 1.5 ounce of Irish whiskey (or more).
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Top with a thick layer of whipped cream.
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Finish with a grating of nutmeg.
Celebrate Responsibly!
Irish coffee has suffered numerous indignities over the years. The most offensive might be green creme de menthe drizzled on top as a misguided homage to its Irish heritage. When celebrating St Patrick’s Day with Irish coffee, please celebrate responsibly and show it a bit more respect.