How to Make A True Irish Coffee: A Delightful Indulgence

It's early 1940's and you're bound for America. An 18 hour journey across the vast Atlantic Ocean on a flying boat departing from Foynes in Southwest Ireland. Having spent a wonderful holiday on the emerald Isle. The weather is frantic with high winds and the waves are stormy. You make it to the terminal with all the other passengers. Shuttled by boat, you board your flight and take off into the skies.

Suddenly the Captain announces that the flight must turn back due to the worsening weather conditions. Thoughts of the landing and the shuttle boat from the terminal fill you with dread. You're already freezing and feeling sick due to the turbulence.

Finally arriving back on Irish soil you are welcomed by the airport restaurant staff. They have prepared food for the passengers. Slipping into a seat, a cup of coffee is poured for you.

Sipping your hot coffee. You delightedly ask. ''Is this Brazilian coffee?''

The reply.''No, that's an Irish coffee.'' Places you at an historic event. The birth of the Irish coffee. The gentleman in questioned, Joe Sheridan (chef). Thinking of the cold and miserable passengers, he added a little ole drop of Irish whiskey to the coffee. Helping to speed up the process of heating everyone up.

I like this story about the American tourist being warmed by a little whiskey in his coffee, however I have a feeling that Joe Sheirdan was putting whiskey in coffee long before that night.

Bewleys first coffee house opened in Dublin, known as Grafton Street Café in 1927. It's believed that the art of distilling could have been brought to Ireland as early as the 6th century by missionaries who distilled mainly for medical reasons (of course they did); anyway the Irish where having whiskey in their tea before my Irish grandmother was born (90 years old next September) so on that note.

The Perfect Irish Coffee:

Ingredients:

• Freshly brewed coffee, nice and hot (Bewleys)
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 35 ml of Irish whiskey (Powers or Jameson)
• Double cream (lightly whipped with a fork)
• Glass as above or similar
• Teaspoon
• Boiling water, rested for a few minutes

Method:

• First, place the spoon in your glass and fill half way with the boiling water (the spoon takes the heat so the glass won't crack).
• Swirl the water around the glass and discard.
• Pour the whiskey followed by the coffee into the glass, about an inch from the top.
• Add the sugar and stir to dissolve.
• Pour a little boiling water over your spoon and place it into the cream.
• Holding the spoon over your glass gently tilt the spoon and the cream will slip onto the surface of coffee.
• Serve as is or with a sprinkle of coffee powder.

*Should any one attempt to stir in the cream after your great heroic efforts; never ever talk to them again.

I chose Bewleys coffee as the coffee to use in making my Irish Coffee because the brand is a firm favorite. Bewleys imported coffee beans after their success with tea from East India back in the early 1900's. However the coffee you use is really about your own personal choice.

Kenyan, Columbian and Costa Rica coffees are all delightful blends with a delicious aroma. Favorite blends make this tipple more individual, so go for it, make it your signature drink.

The brand of whiskey you use to make your Irish coffee is of course down to personal taste.

A Few Favorites:

• Powers and Jameson are traditional used in making an Irish coffee due to their sweet almost honeyed flavor.
• Bushmills has a slightly over powering and very distinctive taste for an Irish coffee although is still a popular choice.
• Tullamore Dew is a lighter flavor, delivering a very delicate whiskey flavor.

Irish Whiskey Note:

Irish whiskeys are less smokey than their foreign counterparts. The Irish distilling process is in good hands producing some of the worlds most wonderfully smooth and finest whiskey brews. The old Gaelic word for whiskey 'Uisce Beatha' meaning 'Water Of Life' brings this hub to a thirsty finish. Enjoy :)