Our Favorite Irish Coffee Recipe

It has a secret, sweet ingredient.

Prep Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
10 mins
Yield:
2 mugs

There’s a lot to love about Irish coffee. This warm, comforting after-dinner drink is sweet and creamy, but also caffeinated and boozy. You might have had a less-than-stellar rendition at a bar or restaurant before, but don’t let that put you off this classic cocktail.

In addition to the classic hot coffee, whiskey, and cream combination, ours has a trio of sweet ingredients: the cream is whipped with vanilla for a rich topping, cocoa powder enhances the coffee flavor, and maple syrup replaces the usual sugar to complement the whiskey. It's a dessert cocktail too good to save for St. Patrick's Day.


maple irish coffee

Ingredients

  • ½ cup heavy cream

  • ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

  • 1 cup strong-brewed coffee

  • 2 ounces Irish whiskey, such as Jameson

  • 1 teaspoon Dutch-process cocoa powder, plus more for serving

Directions

  1. Whisk cream and vanilla

    Whisk cream with vanilla and 1 tablespoon maple syrup just until silken and very soft peaks form.

  2. Heat coffee, whiskey, cocoa, and remaining maple syrup:

    In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together coffee, whiskey, cocoa, and remaining 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Cook until scalding and bubbles appear along edge of pan (do not let boil).

  3. Whisk in some cream mixture:

    Remove from heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons cream mixture.

  4. Serve:

    Divide evenly between two mugs. Top with remaining cream mixture, sprinkle with cocoa, and serve immediately.

Variations

For a nonalcoholic version, simply omit the whiskey.

Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, January/February 2018

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