Irish Coffee in Dublin: where to find the best

Irish Coffee is an iconic beverage that combines hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and a layer of lightly whipped cream. Its origin dates back to the 1940s, attributed to chef Joe Sheridan of the Foynes airport near Limerick. The story goes that on a cold winter evening, a flight bound for the United States had to return to Foynes due to bad weather. To warm and comfort the tired and cold passengers, Sheridan prepared a special drink by adding Irish whiskey to hot coffee, sugar, and topping it all with fresh cream. When asked if it was a typical Brazilian drink, Sheridan replied that it was “Irish Coffee.”

The popularity of Irish Coffee grew rapidly. In the 1950s, travel writer Stanton Delaplane introduced the drink to the United States, collaborating with Jack Koeppler, owner of the Buena Vista Café in San Francisco, to recreate the recipe. After several attempts, they managed to perfect the preparation, helping to spread Irish Coffee internationally.

Today, Irish Coffee is a symbol of Irish hospitality and is enjoyed worldwide. The traditional recipe calls for Irish whiskey, hot coffee, brown sugar, and lightly whipped cream, served in a preheated glass.

In my 18 years in Ireland, I drank hundreds of them, especially during the long and cold winter evenings. If you find yourself in Dublin and want to savor an authentic Irish Coffee, trust me, here’s a selection of places divided by the classic 4 areas of the city: