Well folks, we are a quarter of the way through it. How has 2022 been for you so far? For me, I’m actually impressed that I’ve been able to maintain this cocktail of the month thing! For those of you who haven’t been keeping track, we started January off with my girlfriends favorite, a Hot Buttered Rum, then moved on to a cocktail perfect for Valentine’s Day with the French 75. Now, in the month when we celebrate St Patrick’s Day, we bring you the Irish Coffee!
I’m not Irish, in fact my 23andMe profile indicates I’m mostly German, but on March 17th, everyone is Irish! St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. The day we know as St Patrick’s Day is believed to be the day St Patrick died. It has become one of the holidays most associated with drinking, a fact which has lead some to believe it shines a negative light on the Irish people and culture. How much do you really know about St Patrick, and St Patrick’s Day, though?
St Patrick was kidnapped from his childhood home in Roman Britain and enslaved by pagans. It was there that he found God, who told him to flee to the coast where a ship would take him home. Upon his return home, he studied to become a priest. Ultimately, he returned as a Christian missionary to Ireland. Today we hear the folklore of him chasing the snakes from Ireland. Well, Ireland isn’t well known for being a snake haven, I’m willing to bet a beer that myth is more about his efforts to bring Christianity to the Pagans who had enslaved him. How’s that for a metaphor?
How to Make an Irish Coffee
Another simple cocktail that can be made with ingredients almost everyone already has in their house! Start off with a fresh brewed pot of coffee. Put in roughly a teaspoon of maple syrup (or more if you want a sweeter cocktail). Pour in about an ounce of coffee and mix well to allow the syrup to dissolve.
Measure your Irish whiskey and pour into the coffee and syrup blend. Pour the rest of the coffee into your mug.
Top with as much whipped cream as you can! Then, if you’re feeling extra festive, sprinkle some chocolate shavings on top for a little extra flair.
Music Recommendation
Selecting a song recommendation was challenging for me this time around. I couldn’t decide between two different song choices, so I’m providing both! The first one is the epitome of Irish rock for us original millennials, and the ballad for many a drunken St Patrick’s Day parties. First round of Irish Coffee’s, listen to I’m Shipping Up to Boston – Dropkick Murphy’s. The next song is one of my all-time favorite musicians, who happens to also be from Ireland (okay, Northern Ireland technically). For round two of Irish Coffee, give Days Like This – Van Morrison a listen.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces Irish whiskey
- 1 to 2 teaspoons Maple syrup to taste
- 6 ounces Hot freshly brewed coffee
- Whipped cream for topping
- Shaved chocolate
Instructions
- Pour the whiskey and 1 teaspoon maple syrup into a heat-safe mug. Pour in a splash of the coffee and stir with a spoon until the maple syrup dissolves into the coffee.1 ½ ounces Irish whiskey, 1 to 2 teaspoons Maple syrup, 6 ounces Hot freshly brewed coffee
- Pour in the rest of the coffee. Taste, and stir in additional maple syrup if you would like a sweeter drink.
- Top with whipped cream. If your whipped cream is lightly whipped (soft peaks), you may need to pour it slowly over a spoon so it floats on top. Top with your shaved chocolate and serve while the drink is still warm!Whipped cream, Shaved chocolate
