As the festive season enters full swing, Tullamore D.E.W. is offering expert advice on making a beloved national institution – the Irish Coffee. Although whiskey and coffee are a match made in heaven, there’s an art in creating the perfect Irish Coffee. A delicate balance of four distinct flavours,  warm and cool textures, come together to form a rich, complex and unique sipping experience.

Don’t be intimidated! Tullamore D.E.W. Brand Ambassador Sean Grenham is on hand to give tips and tricks for impressing guests with a top-notch tipple this Christmas.

  1. First things first – use the right sized glass. We recommend a 200 to 300 ml glass with a  wide rim to help accentuate the aroma of the coffee.

  2. Make sure to have all the ingredients measured and prepared before you begin mixing the cocktail..

  3. Make sure to add a metal spoon before adding any hot liquid to prevent the glass from cracking.

  4. Preheat the glass with boiling water to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature. This will keep your Irish coffee warmer for longer so you can truly savour the tipple.

  5. Avoid using sweetened cream or regular table sugar – the recipe calls for Demerara sugar which adds a more nuanced sweetness.

  6. A well made Irish coffee has clearly defined layers – a decadent blanket of velvety cold cream on top with the robust dark coffee underneath. Make sure to use a thicker, heavier cream for the top layer – the different densities will stop the coffee and cream from combining.

  7. Make sure to avoid the most common error: over-whipping the cream. The cream should be whipped lightly so it can still be poured to create the top layer.

  8. Another layering tip: pour the cream over the back of a hot teaspoon at a 45-degree angle to further prevent the cream from mixing with the coffee.

  9. Remember, a well-made Irish Coffee should be jet black with a white top layer and a sharp line in between.

  10. Presentation matters! Garnish with three coffee beans and a nutmeg garnish to seriously impress your guests.

Feeling inspired? Try the classic Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Coffee recipe below. For a handy video tutorial, visit the Tullamore D.E.W. website here.  Please enjoy Tullamore D.E.W. responsibly. Visit drinkaware.ie.

CLASSIC TULLAMORE D.E.W. IRISH COFFEE RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

  • 30ml Tullamore D.E.W.

  • 90ml Espresso

  • 15ml Demerara sugar

  • Top with double cream

METHOD

  1. Pour Tullamore D.E.W. Original, hot coffee and Demerara sugar into an Irish Coffee glass.

  2. Shake double cream in a shaker until thickened

  3.  Layer the double cream over the drink

  4. Garnish with a grating of nutmeg and three coffee beans

  5. Enjoy!

QUICK TIP: How do you get the cream to float on an Irish coffee?

To float cream on any coffee drink, make sure the coffee is hot, add sugar for a little extra viscosity, and don’t over-whip the cream. Pour it gently onto the coffee, over the back of a hot teaspoon at a 45-degree angle.

Please Enjoy Responsibly

Visit drinkaware.ie