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The story goes that sometime in the 1940s, chef Joe Sheridan created a drink at the Foynes Port in Ireland that blended whisky with aromatic warm coffee to warm up passengers weary after their long journey.
This drink, with its signature whipped cream garnish, soon became a global favourite, known simply as Irish coffee. Comforting, fragrant, robustly flavoured and boldly indulgent, now, Irish coffee has become a classic cocktail, with an entire day dedicated to celebrating its flavours.
Every year, Irish Coffee Day falls on 25 January and pays tribute to this warm cocktail. As you mark this day with fellow coffee and whisky connoisseurs, try out some variations of the drink which keep its original essence intact while imbuing it with subtle flavour additions.
Chocolate Irish Coffee
Think decadent dark chocolate syrup swirled into a warm glass of black coffee as the starting point for concocting this drink. A bonafide coffee aficionado interested in experimenting with Irish coffee flavour variations can try out this version which brings together freshly brewed dark roast black coffee, Irish whisky and chocolate syrup in a heatproof mug.
Garnish the drink with its signature whipped cream topping and accentuate this with chocolate shavings to make the mocha-style effect more pronounced. Adding dark chocolate will retain the depth of the drink without making it cloyingly sweet.
Vanilla Cinnamon Irish Coffee
While cinnamon and vanilla are common flavours in frothy cappuccinos, when brought together in steaming hot black coffee, they produce a rather complex flavour composition which builds a rich fragrance into the drink.
This spiced and sweet aromatic mix blends beautifully with Irish whisky too, known for carrying a vanilla-like, caramel undertone. The drink can be garnished with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick for more dramatic, wintry touches that characterise the warm drinks blended during this season.
Salted Caramel Irish Coffee
For that one Irish coffee enthusiast who leans towards salty and sweet indulgences, this is the perfect variation to prepare while experimenting with the classic cocktail recipe. Make a sticky caramel syrup at home and lace an aromatic black coffee with its deeply sweet, slightly burnt flavours.
Sprinkle some sea salt over the drink to introduce the salty effect. Stir the caramel and salt really well into the coffee and whisky mixture before topping it off with whipped cream. This salty-sweet flavour balance makes the variation utterly indulgent and fascinatingly modern.
Coconut Irish Coffee
Build that light layer of tropical nuance into a classic Irish coffee by replacing dairy cream with a helping of lightly whipped coconut cream. The sweet, nutty notes of this tropical fruit build a lighter, fresher vibe into the coffee and Irish whisky blend.
A couple of tablespoons of coconut milk can also be added to the coffee instead of coconut cream, to make it even lighter. This vegan-friendly take on the classic is undergirded by a fruitier touch that lends the coffee and coconut cream combination much complexity.
Hazelnut Irish Coffee
One of the simplest variations to experiment with, this version can be prepared by drizzling hazelnut syrup onto freshly brewed black coffee. Add the Irish whisky next and follow this up with the whipped cream garnish. Place a couple of hazelnuts on top to build into the nutty, crunchy textural punch that this version carries.
Use a medium or light coffee roast while crafting a hazelnut-infused Irish coffee so its nutty, toasty notes can come forth beautifully without being overwhelmed by a dark, bitter and potent beverage. This drink is sheer cafe-style luxury, a perfect variation to try out when you are hosting friends over to mark the day that celebrates the classic cocktail.
