What does an Irish coffee taste like?
An Irish coffee tastes like hot, lightly sweetened coffee with a warm whiskey kick, sipped through a cool layer of thick, lightly whipped cream.
Irish coffee
hot coffee, whiskey and cream
An Irish coffee is hot coffee, Irish whiskey and brown sugar, topped with a layer of lightly whipped cream that floats on top. You're meant to drink it through the cream, not stir it in, so each sip is cool and silky on top and hot, roasty and warming underneath. The brown sugar adds a gentle caramel sweetness, and Irish whiskey is smooth enough to blend right in with the coffee. It's cozy, a little boozy and best on a cold night or after dinner.
Where you’ll see it
On Irish pub menus, dessert and after-dinner drink lists, and brunch menus, in a stemmed glass mug. Some places use canned whipped cream or add Baileys, which makes it sweeter.
Order it if you want a warm, cozy after-dinner drink that is part coffee, part nightcap.
Quick questions
- Should you stir an Irish coffee?
- No. The cream is meant to float on top, so you sip the hot coffee through it.
- Is there caffeine in an Irish coffee?
- Yes. It's made with real hot coffee, so expect about as much caffeine as a regular cup.