There’s no better drink to finish a meal, or simply to warm up with on a cold winter’s day. The Irish Coffee is a national staple, and today is the day that it’s celebrated. In honour of National Irish Coffee Day, we quizzed Paul Murray, Food & Beverage Team Leader at The River Lee, to ask him how to make the perfect version.

Ingredients

• 1x Measure of Jameson
• 2x Shots of Espresso
• 2x Tablespoon Brown Sugar
• Freshly Whipped Cream

What to do…

1. Use a handled glass (preferably). If not, a wine glass with a napkin will do the trick.
2. Put a teaspoon in the glass and fill with hot water to heat it up. The spoon will take a lot of heat out of the glass, to stop it from breaking or cracking – but do be careful.
3. Empty the glass.
4. Pour coffee into the heated glass until it’s about ¾ full.
5. Add brown sugar and stir until it’s completely dissolved.
6. Blend in your Jameson Irish whiskey once this is done.
7. Top with a collar of the whipped cream by pouring gently over the back of a heated spoon.
8. Top of the drink with 3 coffee beans or a shake of chocolate powder - it’s your preference! 

What goes well with an Irish Coffee?

I think a light milk chocolate square or a light flavoured biscuit would go well with an Irish coffee. An Irish coffee is usually an after dinner drink and is quite heavy by itself anyway. So just one of these little treats will do just fine.

Irish coffees are still a firm favourite here for guests as a digestif after dinner. In the summer months we really see the demand pick up as American tourists arrive. This drink is quite popular for tourists as a pre-dinner drink, just as they get off the bus! For winter months we also see a big demand on rainy days. It’s perfect out on the heated Terrace on the Weir… an Irish Coffee while snuggled up under our Donegal Blankets is the perfect rainy day pick up!