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A cozy drink with a hint of indulgence, Irish cream coffee is perfect for quiet mornings or relaxed evenings. This creamy, slightly boozy treat blends smooth Irish cream with freshly brewed coffee, then tops it all off with a generous cloud of whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate. It’s easy to prepare but feels special, like something you’d sip fireside at a boutique hotel. Warm, sweet and a little luxurious, this is one recipe you’ll want to keep close, especially during the holidays.
Rich coffee meets smooth cream liqueur in this comforting Irish cream coffee. It’s topped with whipped cream and chocolate for an easy, café-style drink at home.
If you like this, you might also enjoy St Patrick’s Day gluten free sugar cookies, whipped Dalgona coffee, cafe con miel or Crockpot pumpkin spice latte.
Why You’ll Love It
Quick to prepare: You only need a few minutes and a handful of ingredients.
Impressive presentation: It looks fancy with whipped cream and chocolate but is effortless.
Versatile: It works as a brunch treat or after-dinner drink.
Simple ingredients: Nothing complicated, just pantry and fridge staples.
Irish Cream Coffee Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Heavy whipping cream: Adds richness and a smooth topping to the drink.
Coffee: Use a strong, fresh brew as the base for deep flavor.
Irish cream: Brings sweet, creamy notes with a gentle kick. There are different brands to choose from, the best-known being Bailey’s. Other popular brands include Carolan’s, Kerrygold and Saint Brendan’s.
Chocolate: Shaved over the top for a hint of sweetness and contrast.
How to Make Irish Coffee with Baileys
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Whip the cream: Beat the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form.
Mix the base: Stir together hot coffee and Irish cream in your mug.
Finish and serve: Add the whipped cream and sprinkle the chocolate on top.
Substitutions and Variations
Swap the cream: Use coconut cream or a non-dairy whip for a dairy-free version.
Make it iced: Serve over ice for a chilled twist.
Go boozier: Double up on the liquor if you want it stronger.
Different liquor: Try rum, whiskey, Frangelico, Amaretto, cognac or Amarula cream liqueur.
Un-Irish coffee: Swap the booze for marshmallow syrup.
Switch the topping: Try chocolate coated coffee beans, cocoa powder or cinnamon instead of chocolate shavings.
Serving Suggestions
After dinner: After a delicious meal of steak au poivre, osso buco or sheet pan salmon and asparagus, an Irish cream coffee is both dessert and an after dinner drink in one!
With brunch: Swap your usual Bloody Mary or Canadian Caesar cocktail for an Irish cream coffee, pairing it up with all your breakfast favorites, perhaps breakfast lasagna and some crispy bacon.
How to Store Irish Cream Coffee
Store: This beverage should be served freshly made, while it’s hot and the whipped cream on top is still fluffy. If you try to store it, the whipped cream will collapse and blend in with the coffee.
Freeze: It’s not suitable for freezing.
Top Tips
Use hot coffee: Freshly brewed coffee helps blend the flavors better.
Don’t overwhip: Soft peaks give the best creamy texture.
Chill your cream: Cold cream whips up faster and holds better.
Serve immediately: This drink is best enjoyed fresh before the whipped cream melts.
Irish Cream Coffee FAQs
Irish coffee and Irish cream coffee are different coffee cocktails. A classic Irish coffee has Irish whiskey and some brown sugar to cut the bitterness of the coffee. What is Irish cream coffee? Well, that doesn’t need to have sugar added because it uses Irish cream which is a sweet liqueur.
Yes, you can make this non-alcoholic. Use a non-alcoholic Irish cream coffee syrup like Torani to make an alcohol free version.
This is likely because the heavy cream is too warm. Put the cream, bowl and whisk in the refrigerator to cool down. When you plan to make whipped cream, you can refrigerate the bowl and whisk ahead of time.
Irish cream coffee (sometimes called Irish creme coffee) was invented in 1942. A plane of American tourists was delayed due to bad weather. Joe Sheridan, the airport restaurant chef, added whiskey to the passengers’ coffees to help warm them up. One of the passengers inquired whether it was Brazilian coffee and Sheridan quipped, “no, it’s Irish coffee!” The rest, as they say, was history. The Buena Vista café in San Francisco was the first café in the United States to have Irish coffee on its menu. This was in 1952. National Irish coffee day is on January 25, although some would argue March 17 is a close runner-up!
Irish Cream Coffee Recipe
Irish Cream Coffee
Equipment
- Peeler or Sharp Knife, to Shave Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 Ounces heavy whipping cream
- 6 Ounces coffee, hot, freshly brewed
- 2 Ounces Irish cream
- 1 Teaspoon chocolate, shaved into curls
Instructions
- Whip the heavy whipping cream to soft peaks.
- Stir together the hot coffee and Irish cream liqueur in a glass mug.
- Top with the whipped cream and shaved chocolate, and serve immediately.
Notes
Don’t overwhip: Soft peaks give the best creamy texture.
Chill your cream: Cold cream whips up faster and holds better.
Serve immediately: This drink is best fresh before the whipped cream melts.
Nutrition
I visited one of Colombia’s main coffee-growing areas a few years back with Keurig. It was amazing because I learnt so much about farming and production and I remember that trip every time I whip up this Irish cream coffee. In Ireland, Irish coffee is known by its Gaelic name: ‘Caife Gaelach’ and it’s drunk through the cream, not stirred. This Bailey’s coffee recipe is a warm pick-me-up that’s perfect for relaxing mornings, lazy afternoons or ending a good meal on a cozy note. The whipped cream and chocolate add café flair, and the balance of strong coffee with smooth Irish cream is hard to beat.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I wish I enjoyed coffee! I do know several people who would love this!
What a great coffee recipe! I love this twist on it for St. Patrick’s day and it tasted great. My Hubby already asked me to make it again.
I don’t think I’ve ever had Irish cream coffee before. I absolutely have to try it, it sounds delicious.
I will have to try this for sure! It looks like a delicious drink.
You don’t even know how much I love Bailey’s, like I have to hide it from myself so I won’t drink it all. And it’s not even the alcohol part, I just love the taste ahah so needless to say I’m definitely making this!