Tomorrow is National Irish Coffee Day. And who doesn't like when it's completely acceptable to put a little extra somethin' in your drink in the daytime. I may or may not be doing it right now. What? It's just coffee.
To celebrate this very special holiday, here are five boozy and delicious Irish coffee recipes:
1. The Classic
As legend has it, the original Irish coffee was created at an Irish airship port in the 1940s. On a particularly cold night, the head chef at the port's restaurant added a little kick to a group of American passengers' coffee to keep them warm. When one passenger asked if they were drinking Brazilian coffee, the chef replied, "No, that's Irish coffee."
A special thank you to the chef, Joe Sheridan, and to the American passengers for being so annoying and bratty that he felt the need to give y'all a buzz.
The classic Irish coffee is made by stirring together fresh brewed coffee, brown sugar and a jigger of Irish whiskey, and topping it all off with thick, heavy cream. Try lightly whipping the cream and pouring it over the back of a spoon for that perfect layering effect.
2. The Nutty Irishman
This coffee recipe uses Baileys Irish Cream and stirs in a shot of nutty Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur. Add chocolate syrup and whipped cream and call it a day. For an extra punch, try using hazelnut or almond-flavored coffee.
This also works well with pumpkin-flavored liqueur and pumpkin pie spice.
3. Mint Chocolate Chip
It was an ice cream...and now it's a coffee. Mix one cup of espresso with 1/2 shot of Baileys Mint Cream or Creme de Menthe and 1/2 shot of Irish whiskey. Stir in one teaspoon chocolate syrup and top with whipped cream garnished with chocolate chips and a sprig of fresh mint.
4. Irish Tea & Hot Chocolate
For the tea: Mix a cup of freshly brewed chai tea with two teaspoons of brown sugar and one jigger of Baileys Irish Cream. Garnish with freshly grated cinnamon or a cinnamon stick.
For the hot cocoa: Mix a cup of your favorite hot chocolate with one or two shots of Baileys Irish Cream. Top with freshly whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
5. Irish Coffee Cupcakes
These chocolate cupcakes are flavored with espresso powder and brown sugar and topped with a whiskey-spiked frosting. For an extra kick, try filling them with an Irish whiskey ganache before topping with frosting.
Enjoy!
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