My Rad Kitchen

  • RECIPES
  • ABOUT
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • ABOUT
search icon
Homepage link
  • RECIPES
  • ABOUT
×
  • Watermelon Sour Served in Coupe with Watermelon Cube and Mint Leaf Garnish
    Watermelon Sour Cocktail
  • Watermelon Mojito Served with Fresh Mint and Cubed Watermelon
    Watermelon Mojito
  • Watermelon Punch with Ladle in Punch Bowl with Sliced Lemons, Limes, and Watermelon Cubes
    Watermelon Punch
  • Watermelon Juice Served in Glass Over Ice with Lemon Slice and Paper Straws
    How to Make Watermelon Juice
  • Madras Cocktail with a straw and lime slice
    Madras Cocktail
  • Apple Coffee Cake served on plates with forks
    Apple Coffee Cake Recipe
  • Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato Served Over Ice with a Straw
    Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato
  • Apple Dumplings using Crescent Rolls Close up in a casserole dish
    Apple Dumplings using Crescent Rolls
  • Apple Pie Shots on a Tray with Pie in the back
    Apple Pie Shot
  • Red, White and Blue Cookies stacked together close up
    Easy 4th of July Recipes
  • Slow Cooker Apple Butter in Jar with Apples
    Slow Cooker Apple Butter
  • Cherry Cheesecake Pie with slice taken out and sauce dripping down the sides close up
    Cherry Cheesecake Pie
Home » Cocktails

Espresso Irish Coffee

Published: Dec 24, 2024 · Modified: Feb 9, 2025 by Eva Filer · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

Jump to Recipe

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 a coffee.

Espresso Irish Coffee in Mugs beside Jameson

Whether you are looking for a way to warm up on a cold evening or as an after dinner treat, this boozy Irish Coffee is perfect.

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.

Jump to:
  • What is an Irish Coffee?
  • Why You Will Love This Espresso Irish Coffee
  • Ingredients
  • Substitutions and Variations
  • How to Make Espresso Irish Coffee
  • More Recipes You Will Love
  • How to Serve an Espresso Irish Coffee
  • What to Serve with Espresso Irish Coffee
  • Top Tip
  • Frequently Asked Questions About Espresso Irish Coffee
  • More Recipes You Will Love
  • Espresso Irish Coffee Recipe

This Espresso Irish Coffee pairs well with many desserts. We love enjoying it with our creamy Eggnog Cheesecake Recipe (Instant Pot) version. And if you love caffeinated cocktails, you might also want to try our Peppermint Espresso Martini!

Why You Will Love This Espresso Irish Coffee

  • Easy: Quick and easy to make, just brew yourself a cup of coffee and you are half way there.
  • Warming Effects: With an extra boozy punch with the addition of dark rum, you'll be toasty warm in no time!
  • Balanced Flavors: A slightly sweetened, bitter coffee taste with a creamy topping.
  • Comforting: A warm cup of coffee is like a hug for your hands.
  • Whipped Cream: It is a bit more sweet and dessert-like with whipped cream!

Ingredients

You just need a couple ingredients to make yourself this delicious cocktail.

Espresso Irish Coffee Ingredients

See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

  • Espresso: You can water down 1 shot, use two, or use a strong coffee.
  • 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.

For this recipe, you'll want to have on hand a measuring cups and spoons and shot glass, as well as a mug to serve it in.

Substitutions and Variations

Love this recipe but want to make it your own? Here are some helpful ideas for you to change up this recipe.

  • Heavy Cream: Instead of topping with whipped cream you can lightly whip heavy cream into to soft peaks and spoon over to float on the top.
  • Omit the Dark Rum: Keeping with a more traditional Irish Coffee you can leave out the rum.
  • Coffee: Coffee and espresso are used interchangeably in this recipe, if you prefer to use coffee you can.
  • 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: We love our Baileys, sub the rum for an extra creamy Irish Coffee with Baileys.

How to Make Espresso Irish Coffee

Check out how quick and easy it is to make this Espresso Irish Coffee Cocktail.

Espresso Irish Coffee being Poured into a Glass Mug
Espresso Irish Coffee in Glasses with Garnish on Top

In a heat proof mug add espresso (or strong coffee), along with rum and simple syrup.

Stir to combine and top with whipped cream. Garnish with nutmeg if desired.

Hint: I love using whipped cream because it is a fun addition and makes this a bit more of a dessert cocktail, but a traditional Irish Coffee uses heavy cream on top.

Espresso Irish Coffee in Glass Mugs with Bottle in the Back

More Recipes You Will Love

  • Mini Cheese Balls close up on a plate with pretzels beside
    Mini Cheese Balls
  • Keto Stuffed Peppers with Cream Cheese in a Baking Dish
    Keto Stuffed Bell Peppers
  • Mixed Berry Crisp with Frozen Berries close up in a bowl with ice cream
    Mixed Berry Crisp with Frozen Berries
  • Brass Monkey Cocktails garnished with half an orange and dark rum in the back
    Brass Monkey Drink

How to Serve an Espresso Irish Coffee

Any heat-safe mug will do, this beverage won't last long!

  • 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.

What to Serve with Espresso Irish Coffee

This coffee flavored cocktail is great on its own, but also goes so well with desserts after a nice dinner. Here are some ideas to get your tastebuds going!

  • Cheesecakes: The creaminess of cheesecake desserts are an excellent combination, we love having it with our Eggnog Cheesecake Recipe (Instant Pot) or Tiramisu Cheese (Instant Pot).
  • Cookies: Our white Cake Mix Christmas Cookies or Cookies from Devil's Food Cake both go well with this coffee cocktail. Our Spicy Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies are another great option to pair with this drink.
  • Apple Pie: Our Apple Pie a la Mode recipe is a great pairing for this Irish Coffee, you can choose to leave the ice cream out (or not).
  • Pecan Pie: Give our Costco Pecan Pie (Copycat) recipe a try.
  • Chocolate Desserts: A decadent serving of our Dirt and Worm Cups (leave out the worms) is an excellent marriage of flavors. Alternatively, you can snack on a Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bar for another delicious and quick dessert option.
Espresso Irish Coffee in Glasses Beside Each Other

Top Tip

Preheat your mug with boiling water and allow it to sit for a few minutes, then empty it prior to making your cocktail. This will keep your beverage hotter for longer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Espresso Irish Coffee

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Espresso Irish Coffee.

What type of glassware should I use for this cocktail?

Traditionally, in an Irish coffee mug. Any heat-safe glass mug with a stem/foot is best to keep it hot.

Should this cocktail be shaken or stirred? How do I strain the cocktail when pouring it into a glass?

You want to stir an Irish coffee after you have added your sweetener (sugar or simple syrup), then top with heavy or whipped cream.

Do I need to add ice to this cocktail?

No, you typically would enjoy this beverage with freshly brewed coffee.

Can I make this cocktail ahead of time and store it in the fridge?

Since this is made with fresh coffee you would not want to make it ahead of time. You can whip up some heavy cream to soft or hard peaks (based on preference) in advance and keep in the fridge overnight. When you are ready to make the cocktail you can add your ingredients into your mug and top with the cream.

How can I make this cocktail weaker in alcohol content?

This recipe is a fairly strong one, so omitting the rum will lower the alcoholic content, but you can also minimize the amount of whiskey as we'll.

Espresso Irish Coffee in Glass Mugs with Jameson Behind it

More Recipes You Will Love

Check out some more of our recipes you will want to try!

  • Pulled Pork and Coleslaw Served on a Sandwich Bun and Stacked
    Father’s Day Recipes
  • Red White and Blue Candy Bark with M&Ms Oreos and sprinkles cut up
    Red White and Blue Candy
  • Red White and Blue MMs Cookies
    Red White and Blue Cookies
  • Layered Cheesecake with Blue White and Red layers Closer up
    Layered Cheesecake

Ready to get cooking? Save time by having a grocery list automatically generate for you by clicking the "Add to Shopping List" below.

Espresso Irish Coffee in Mugs beside Jameson

Espresso Irish Coffee Recipe

Eva Filer
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 a coffee.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Add to Shopping List Go to Shopping List
Prep Time 2 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 minutes mins
Total Time 4 minutes mins
Course Cocktails
Cuisine Irish
Servings 1
Calories 52 kcal

Equipment

  • Heat-proof Mug
  • Shot Glass
  • Measuring Cup
  • Spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 2 shots espresso about 60 mL
  • ½ ounce dark rum
  • 1 teaspoon simple syrup

Garnish

  • whipped cream
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • In a heat proof mug add espresso (or strong coffee), along with rum and simple syrup.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Garnish with whipped cream if desired.

Notes

  • In replacement of simple syrup, you can try maple syrup, honey, or sugar.
  • Heavy cream can be used instead of whipped cream, you can pour it slowly over the back of a spoon, or lightly whip it to soft peaks and spoon it on top.
  • Decaf works well if you are sensitive to caffeine in the evening.

Nutrition

Calories: 52kcalCarbohydrates: 5gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 7mgSugar: 5gCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.3mg
Keyword Cocktails, Coffee, Dessert Coffee, Espresso, Hot Beverages, Whiskey
Tried this recipe?Tag us @myradkitchen or tag #MRKrecipes!

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.

Espresso Irish Coffee Served in a Glass with Whipped Cream

More Cocktails

  • Bomb Pop Cocktail with popsicles as garnish
    Bomb Pop Cocktail
  • Pineapple Rum Cocktail Close Up
    Pineapple Rum Cocktail
  • Pineapple Margarita with Pineapple and Lime Garnish
    Pineapple Margarita
  • Bazooka Joe Shot in Shot Glasses with Shaker in the Back
    Bazooka Joe Shot

Comments

  1. Eva Filer says

    February 09, 2025 at 1:54 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Rick says

      March 23, 2025 at 7:19 pm

      5 stars
      A nice nightcap. I tilted the recipe in favour of the liquor. 🫢😂

      Reply
      • Eva Filer says

        March 23, 2025 at 9:47 pm

        Haha, nothing wrong with that! Thanks for sharing.

        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Eva Filer and son Radcliffe of My Rad Kitchen

Hey, I'm Eva! Mama to Radcliffe and married to my high school sweetheart.

More about me


Popular

  • Hennessy Strawberry Lemonade in a Glass with Lime and Strawberry
    Hennessy Strawberry Lemonade
  • Lemon Blueberry Dump Cake with a Scoop out and Bowls in the back
    Lemon Blueberry Dump Cake
  • Strawberry Crisp Recipe Being Scooped Out of Dish
    Strawberry Crisp Recipe
  • Strawberry Brownies on a Counter with a bite taken
    Strawberry Brownies

Rhubarb Recipes

  • Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp with Spoonful Missing from Dish
    Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Bread with Glaze and Cut
    Strawberry Rhubarb Bread
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins with Bite Taken
    Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake Scoop in Casserole Dish
    Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Get recipes delivered straight to your inbox!

Contact

  • About

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 My Rad Kitchen

5