Irish Coffee - Drink Recipe – How to Make the Perfect Irish Coffee
Irish Coffee
2 ounces whiskey -- Irish whiskey
5 to 6 ounces coffee
2 teaspoons sugar
mug
Instructions:
Pour the whiskey, coffee, and sugar* into a stemmed, heated glass mug. Stir, then top off with a thick layer of lightly whipped heavy cream. If too lazy or inebriated or depressed to bother whipping the stuff, just pour an ounce or two in over the back of a spoon. In either case, don't stir it in, and really don't drizzle crème de menthe over the top.
* Sheridan's original formula seems to have called for brown sugar.
The Wondrich Take:
Foynes, Ireland, winter of 1942-1943.
A small band of unfortunate travelers huddles together on a seaplane dock by the River Shannon. They've been flying for ten hours in bad weather, in an abortive attempt to reach Canada. Joe Sheridan, the terminal's barman, observes their condition and takes action. Whiskey. Sugar. Hot coffee. Cream. The winds calm the fury of their blowing, the clouds relinquish the gloom of their darkness, and the sun grants a beam of its brightness to anoint the steaming chalice. And behold! The assembled bards of Erin strike a golden chord on their cunningly worked harps. For thus is born Irish Coffee, a mighty tonic for all who travel the ways of the earth and even those who sit on their asses all day in the dark corners of taverns.
You'd think it would be impossible to be unhappy while sipping an Irish Coffee. Yet, seated at the bar, we've noticed far too many times that the face behind the traditional stemmed glass mug is tinged with sadness. Drink can be a comfort, at times, but even a warm, generous drink such as this can prove to be a cold consolation. We sip the promising cup in hope, but things are not better. In our mouths, yes. In our innards, aglow, yes. Even in our veins. In our hearts? No. Go home.
Okay, things aren't that bad. It's just that it's dark in here, and kinda quiet, and you know how you get long about the middle of a winter afternoon. It'll pass.
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