Paul McLean, of ANGELSWHISKYCLUB.com and MCLEANSCOTLAND.com was in Dublin for Christmas week, he did indulge in some research & development on your behalf…

The history of the Irish Coffee 

Powers is the traditional whiskey used in an Irish Coffee. It was created at Foynes airbase in Co. Limerick … Foynes was an airbase near Limerick, in fact it was the main airport for Flying Boats between America and Europe. By 1940, the airport was handling many passengers, including many American VIP’s from the world of politics and Hollywood. Weather conditions along the West coast of Ireland can be notoriously bad, and often what was supposed to be just a stopover for refuelling turned into an overnight stay. In 1942 a new restaurant opened, which had the task of catering for the many important passengers passing through Foynes and present a very positive image of Ireland and its people to the world.

The story goes that Powers Irish Coffee was invented to appease a group of tired and upset American tourists who had set off to make a 19 hour trip to New York – they set off 10 hours before!

After 5 hours out the plane turned back due to a storm.

The head chef at Foynes, a Joe Sheridan, decided to warm them up, rather than the tradition of adding whiskey to tea, he added it to coffee.

He concocted a Powers with sugar and coffee and fresh whipped cream.  As they sipped their drinks, one passenger said “hey buddy, is this Brazillian coffee?” Sheridan replied “it is Irish Coffee”

To make a Powers Irish Coffee:

1.Pour a measure of Powers and two teaspoons of brown sugar into a pre-warmed Powers Irish Coffee Glass.

2.Place a metal spoon in the glass.

3.Fill the glass with hot black coffee, allowing space at the top for cream before stirring well.

4.Gently pour lightly whipped cream over the back of a spoon so that the cream floats on the coffee.