The birthplace of Irish Coffee was in Foynes, Ireland at the Shannon House Hotel. Chef Jim Sheridan brewed up strong coffee, broke out the whiskey and added a generous dollop of fresh cream. Some say the Irish legend was born by accident when an astonished passenger asked, “Is this Irish coffee?“
During the late 1930s and early 1940s, land-based planes lacked sufficient flying range for Atlantic crossings. Foyne, a village and major port in County Limerick in the midwest of Ireland, was the last port of call on its eastern shore for seaplanes. As a result, Foynes would become one of the biggest civilian airports in Europe during World War II.
The little village of Foyne’s main claims to fame are the invention of Irish Coffee and the Flying Boat Museum. Combining coffee with the best of Ireland, whiskey and cream, was a stroke of pure genius! Here is the method to prepare the original Irish Coffee according to the Foyne’s Flying Boat Museum.
Step One
In your Irish Coffee Glass, place a teaspoon and fill with boiling water for five seconds. Pour out water.
Step Two
In this pre-warmed glass, put one teaspoon of brown sugar and a good measure of Irish Whiskey.
In this pre-warmed glass, put one teaspoon of brown sugar and a good measure of Irish Whiskey.
Step Three
Fill the glass to within 1/2 inch of the brim with really hot, strong black coffee. Stir well to melt all the sugar.
Fill the glass to within 1/2 inch of the brim with really hot, strong black coffee. Stir well to melt all the sugar.
Step Four
Then carefully pour lightly whipped cream over the back of a spoon so that it floats on top of the coffee.
Then carefully pour lightly whipped cream over the back of a spoon so that it floats on top of the coffee.
Step Five
Do not stir after adding the cream, as the true flavor is obtained by drinking the hot coffee and Irish Whiskey through the cream.
Do not stir after adding the cream, as the true flavor is obtained by drinking the hot coffee and Irish Whiskey through the cream.
Now, sit back, relax and enjoy, or as they say in Ireland, Slainte!
