Espresso Irish Coffee
Our classic, coffee-forward Espresso Irish Coffee is sweet and boozy, and perfect all year-round. Be ready to enjoy this sweet and smooth, indulgent drink in about as long as it takes to brew a hot cup of coffee.
This Irish coffee swaps brewed coffee for two shots of fresh espresso, stirred right in the mug with Irish whiskey, a splash of dark rum and a little simple syrup, then topped with whipped cream. The espresso gives it a bolder coffee flavor than a regular cup. It's a good fit for warming up on a cold evening or serving after dinner.
This one is made for pairing with dessert. We love sipping it alongside our creamy Instant Pot Eggnog Cheesecake Recipe, and if you're a fan of caffeinated cocktails, our Peppermint Espresso Martini is another festive, coffee-spiked treat to try.
What is an Irish Coffee?
A sweetened coffee cocktail blended with Irish whiskey, and topped with a thick cream that floats on top. Though some people stir to mix in the cream, you are meant to drink through it to get the full effect. We like to use whipped cream, and top with freshly grated nutmeg for a more spicy profile.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
"A nice nightcap. I tilted the recipe in favour of the liquor."
-Rick
Ingredients
Make this yourself with a few simple ingredients.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Espresso: Gives the cocktail its bold, coffee-forward flavor. If you don't have an espresso machine, a strong brewed coffee works too.
- Irish Whiskey: Smooth and sweet, with a hint of spiciness. We prefer Jameson, but you can use any whiskey.
- Dark Rum: For an added boozy vibe, we like adding a dark rum for extra sweet-spicy flavors.
- Simple Syrup: Gives the cocktail a little additional sweetness. The amount here is preferential on how you take your coffee, as you will get some sweetness from the whiskey and rum.
- Whipped Cream: Used to make this cocktail a bit more dessert-like, but you can use a heavy cream if preferred.
You only need a shot glass to measure the whiskey and rum. For the classic look, serve it in a heat-safe glass mug, so you can see the cream float on top.
Variations
- Heavy Cream: Instead of topping with whipped cream, lightly whip heavy cream to soft peaks and spoon it over the top so it floats.
- Omit the Dark Rum: For a more traditional Irish coffee, you can leave out the rum.
- Decaf: Decaf works well if you are sensitive to caffeine in the evening.
- Sugar: We love using simple syrup because it is often in our house, but you can add sugar to your coffee first while it is hot, and then add your booze.
- Baileys Irish Cream: Swap the rum for it to make an extra creamy Irish Coffee with Baileys.
How to Make Espresso Irish Coffee
It takes just a few simple and about four minutes from start to finish.
In a heat-proof mug add espresso (or strong coffee), along with Irish whiskey, rum and simple syrup (if you'd rather skip the rum, use 1 ½ ounces of whiskey instead).
Give it a quick stir to dissolve the syrup, then top with whipped cream and some freshly grated nutmeg if desired.
Hint: Rinse the mug with hot water first and pour it out so your drink stays hot longer.
Recipe Tips
- Stirred: A quick little swirl to incorporate the whiskey and sweetener and then add with your topping!
- Glass: Traditionally, in an Irish coffee mug, but any footed, heat-safe glass mug is best to keep it hot.
- Garnishes: Cold heavy cream slowly run off the back of a spoon is the traditional method to allow it to float, but whipped cream is an easier, and more fun way to enjoy this beverage.
- Make It a Mocktail: Swap the Irish whiskey and rum for non-alcoholic alternatives (we enjoy both Lyre's American Malt and Lyre's Dark Cane, and keep the espresso, simple syrup and cream the same for a cozy non-alcoholic version.
If you love a warm, boozy drink for a chilly evening, our Spiked Crockpot Apple Cider is another cozy one to try.
More Cocktail Recipe Ideas
Serving Suggestions
- Whiskey Cocktails: Apple Cider Old Fashioned, Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail, and Bourbon Lemon Cocktail.
- Sweets: Instant Pot Tiramisu Cheesecake, Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bars, Costco Pecan Pie, Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Pecan Tarts.
Espresso Irish Coffee Recipe FAQs
Espresso is what we use in this recipe. Two shots give it a bold coffee flavor, and a strong brewed coffee works too if you don't have an espresso machine.
Irish whiskey is the traditional choice because it's smooth and slightly sweet, with a hint of spice. We prefer Jameson, but any Irish whiskey you enjoy works well, and you can use another whiskey if that's what you have on hand.
This recipe has 1 ½ ounces of spirits, 1 ounce of Irish whiskey and ½ ounce of dark rum. The espresso and cream dilute it, so it tastes milder than a straight shot. The strength will depend on the proof of the alcohol you choose.
Leave out the dark rum and use only the 1 ounce of Irish whiskey for a lighter drink, or use a little less whiskey. You can also swap both for non-alcoholic/dealcoholized alternatives.
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Espresso Irish Coffee
Equipment
- Heat-proof Mug
- Shot Glass
- Measuring Cup
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 2 shots espresso about 60 mL
- 1 ounce Irish Whiskey
- ½ ounce dark rum
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup
GARNISH:
- whipped cream
Instructions
- In a heat-proof mug add espresso (or strong coffee), along with Irish whiskey, rum and simple syrup (if you'd rather skip the rum, use 1 ½ ounces of whiskey instead).
- Give it a quick stir to dissolve the syrup, then top with whipped cream and some freshly grated nutmeg if desired.
Notes
- Stirred: A quick little swirl to incorporate the whiskey and sweetener and then add with your topping!
- Glass: Traditionally, in an Irish coffee mug, but any footed, heat-safe glass mug is best to keep it hot.
- Garnishes: Cold heavy cream slowly run off the back of a spoon is the traditional method to allow it to float, but whipped cream is an easier, and more fun way to enjoy this beverage.
- Make It a Mocktail: Swap the Irish whiskey and rum for non-alcoholic alternatives (we enjoy both Lyre's American Malt and Lyre's Dark Cane, and keep the espresso, simple syrup and cream the same for a cozy non-alcoholic version.
- Warm the Mug: Rinse the mug with hot water first and pour it out so your drink stays hot longer.
Nutrition
We would be so grateful for you to leave us a rating and review on any recipes you try. If you make any alterations, let us know how they turned out.
This is such a quick recipe, we love making this on a chilly evening. Sipping through the frothy layer adds a nice depth to this hot cocktail.
A nice nightcap. I tilted the recipe in favour of the liquor. 🫢😂
Haha, nothing wrong with that! Thanks for sharing.