Ingredients
- 1½ ounces Irish whiskey
- ¾ ounce Baileys Irish cream
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Freshly brewed coffee
- Whipped cream for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
- After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
- In mug, add whiskey, Baileys, and simple syrup.
- Top off with freshly brewed coffee.
- Stir to mix, carefully.
- Garnish with whipped cream.
Variations and Substitutions
You don't want to skip the Baileys in this drink, but you can play around with all of the flavors.
- Sample different flavors of coffee, such as hazelnut, raspberry, or different types of roast.
- Instead of flavored coffee, consider flavors of simple syrup such as vanilla or cinnamon.
- Add bitters to up the flavor level without adding any sweetness. Chocolate, black walnut, molasses, old-fashioned, and toasted almond all make great choices.
- Include a half-ounce of coffee, almond, or chocolate liqueur for a richer flavor.
- For a dairy-free Irish coffee, use Bailey's Almande and garnish with coconut milk Reddi Whip or another non-dairy whipped topping.
Garnishes
If whipped cream isn't something you have on hand or it's too messy for one, consider one of these suggestions. Or keep the whipped cream and layer on the garnishes.
- For a coffee-flavored foam topping, vigorously shake 4 ounces of hot coffee with ice for approximately 90 seconds.
- Add a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce.
- Garnish with three whole coffee beans, signifying health, wealth, and happiness.
- If you opted for a fruit flavor, include that in your garnish, such as a raspberry.
About the Baileys Irish Coffee
The Irish coffee is an incredibly personal drink, very much akin to how people take their morning coffee. Although the Irish coffee can have half and half, milk, or heavy cream to make this treat creamy and rich, only Baileys takes this coffee cocktail to the next level. Baileys uses Irish whiskey and dairy cream along with notes of chocolate and vanilla to transform the plain Irish coffee into a dream.
The story behind the origins of the Irish coffee is a little muddier than Baileys. Its roots go as far back as the late 19th century France when coffee and spirits were first stirred together. A travel writer claims the Irish coffee made its way to America, helping it to peak in popularity, after enjoying one at an airport in Ireland.
A Morning Toast
The Baileys Irish coffee gives you a different, and better, toast in the morning- or any time of day. Doctor up your coffee with some Baileys and Irish whiskey the next time you're sipping a warm coffee.
Baileys is great in coffee, but it also makes a darn good shooter. Try these yummy Baileys shots.
