In the grand pantheon of Irish contributions to global drinking culture, Irish Coffee stands as a uniquely comforting and enduring creation. This perfect marriage of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and softly whipped cream was born not in a Dublin pub, but rather in the early days of transatlantic air travel at a small airport in County Limerick.
The Origins at Foynes Port
The story begins at Foynes Port, which served as one of Europe’s biggest civilian airports between 1939 and 1945. Located on the Shannon Estuary, Foynes was the last port of call for flying boats traveling between Europe and America. On a cold winter night in 1943, a flight bound for New York had to turn back due to terrible weather conditions.
Joe Sheridan, the head chef at the airport’s restaurant, was asked to prepare something warm for the cold and weary passengers. Drawing on Irish hospitality traditions and showing considerable creativity, Sheridan added Irish whiskey to hot coffee, topped it with cream, and served it to the stranded travelers. Legend has it that when an American passenger asked if this was Brazilian coffee, Sheridan replied, “No, that’s Irish Coffee.”
Perfecting the Recipe
Sheridan’s creation was an immediate hit. He continued to serve it at Foynes, perfecting the recipe over time. The key elements were precise: hot strong coffee, Irish whiskey (typically Powers or Jameson), brown sugar, and lightly whipped cream carefully floated on top. The drink became a specialty of the airport restaurant, offered to all passengers making their way through Foynes.
When the flying boats were replaced by land planes in 1945, and operations moved to the new Shannon Airport, Sheridan and his Irish Coffee went too. The drink became internationally famous as travel writers and American tourists experiencing it spread the word about this unique Irish creation.
Journey to America
Irish Coffee might have remained a local specialty if not for Stanton Delaplane, a travel writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. After trying the drink at Shannon Airport in 1951, he became determined to bring it to America. Working with Jack Koeppler, owner of the Buena Vista Café in San Francisco, they attempted to recreate Sheridan’s recipe.
The pair struggled initially, particularly with floating the cream properly on top of the coffee. They even went so far as to travel back to Ireland to learn the technique. The secret, they discovered, was aging the cream for 48 hours and frothing it to precisely the right consistency. In 1952, the Buena Vista began serving Irish Coffee, and it quickly became their signature drink. Today, they serve up to 2,000 Irish Coffees daily.
The Original Irish Coffee Recipe
Joe Sheridan’s original recipe was deceptively simple:
- Preheat a stemmed whiskey goblet
- Add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar
- Fill with strong hot coffee
- Stir to dissolve sugar
- Add a measure of Irish whiskey
- Top with lightly whipped cream, poured over the back of a spoon
The Cultural Impact
Irish Coffee has become more than just a drink; it represents the warmth of Irish hospitality and the country’s gift for combining comfort with conviviality. While the drink has spawned many variations and interpretations worldwide, purists insist that a true Irish Coffee must be made with Irish whiskey and fresh cream.
The legacy lives on at both Shannon Airport, where Irish Coffee remains a tradition, and at the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, where visitors can learn about the drink’s history and enjoy one made to the original recipe. The museum even hosts an Irish Coffee Festival and making competition.
Modern Significance
Today, Irish Coffee is served worldwide and has inspired countless variations. However, it remains most associated with Ireland, particularly during the winter months and at traditional Irish pubs. The drink represents a perfect example of Irish innovation and hospitality, turning a simple attempt to warm up cold travelers into an internationally beloved beverage.
The drink’s enduring popularity speaks to both its simple elegance and its ability to combine the sophisticated (fine whiskey) with the comforting (hot coffee and cream). Whether enjoyed as a warming winter drink, an after-dinner cocktail, or a morning eye-opener, Irish Coffee continues to delight drinkers worldwide, eight decades after its creation in a small Irish airport.
Many modern bartenders have created their own interpretations, but the classic recipe remains the most popular, proving that sometimes the original is simply impossible to improve upon. As with many aspects of Irish culture, the key to Irish Coffee’s success lies in its combination of simplicity, conviviality, and that indefinable touch of Irish magic.
