Take a shot with Tullamore Dew on National Irish Coffee Day

10:18 January 15, 2020
By: Molly Kellogg

Warm up with a cup of Irish Coffee this January 25th, as we celebrate National Irish Coffee Day. The holiday marks the merging of two of the most popular tastes ever made: coffee and whiskey.

The first cup of Irish Coffee was created in the winter of 1942 by Joe Sheridan in Ireland, on a cold, damp day. Sheridan, a chef at the time, wanted to serve his customers something that would warm them up: a cocktail consisting of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, all stirred up and topped with cream. This way, the coffee is mixed in nicely with the cream. It was a hit immediately, and was soon coined "Irish Coffee."

It wasn't until the 1950s that it reached the States, debuting at San Francisco's Buena Vista Cafe. To make their infamous drink - Buena Vista uses the world's second-largest Irish whiskey, Tullamore D.E.W., a unique blend of three Irish whiskeys.

Today, the cafe and Irish Coffee are practically interchangeable, the cafe selling nearly 2,000 Irish coffees per day. Further - Irish Coffee has made its way around the nation, especially in New Orleans.

So, how better to celebrate the holiday than making your own Irish Coffee?

Tim Herlihy, the National Tullamore D.E.W. Ambassador, gives his take on how to prepare your very own Irish Coffee.

What you'll need:

1 ½ parts Tullamore D.E.W. Original

1 ½ parts strongly brewed coffee (Tim's Pick: any premium dark roast)

½ part sugar (Tim's Pick: Demerara Sugar)

Lightly whipped heavy cream

Cinnamon or nutmeg

First, you must preheat a glass with hot water. Add sugar and coffee, then stir it. Next, pour in the Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey and be sure to stir it up. You are then to lightly whip the thick cream by putting it in a protein shaker and utilizing a blender ball. You will want a somewhat loose consistency to the cream. Then, pour the cream over the drink, using the bottom side of a hot teaspoon. It is important not to allow the cream to seep into the top of the drink. Finally, add garnish with grated nutmeg or cinnamon for a flavorful finish.


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