# Irish Coffee

> Irish Coffee, the IBA official recipe: 50 ml Irish whiskey, 120 ml hot coffee, 50 ml cream and 1 tsp sugar. Built in the glass and served hot in an Irish coffee glass.

Hot coffee, Irish whiskey and sugar under a float of cold cream. Foynes, Ireland, 1940s.

- IBA category: [IBA: Contemporary Classics](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/contemporary-classics/index.md)
- Main spirit: [Whiskey cocktails](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/whiskey-cocktails/index.md)
- Method: Built (built straight in the glass)
- Glass: Irish coffee glass
- Served: Straight up, no ice
- Strength: about 8.9% ABV once diluted by ice, about 1.1 standard drinks (14 g of alcohol each)
- Volume: 224 ml (7½ oz) before ice, about 224 ml in the glass
- Taste: Creamy, Coffee

## Ingredients

Amounts are for one drink. Ounces use 30 ml to the ounce.

- 50 ml (1⅔ oz) [Irish whiskey](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/irish-whiskey/index.md)
- 120 ml (4 oz) [Hot coffee](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/coffee/index.md)
- 50 ml (1⅔ oz) [Cream](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/cream/index.md)
- 1 tsp [Sugar](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/simple-syrup/index.md) (or 7.5 ml (¼ oz) simple syrup)

## Method

1. Warm black coffee is poured into a preheated Irish coffee glass.
2. Whiskey and at least one teaspoon of sugar is added and stirred until dissolved.
3. Fresh thick chilled cream is carefully poured over the back of a spoon held just above the surface of the coffee.
4. The layer of cream will float on the coffee without mixing.
5. Plain sugar can be replaced with sugar syrup.

## Garnish

None. IBA serves it without a garnish.

## If you like the Irish Coffee

- [Espresso Martini](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/espresso-martini/index.md): Vodka, coffee liqueur, simple syrup and coffee
- [Ramos Fizz](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/ramos-fizz/index.md): Gin, lime juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, cream, egg, orange flower water, vanilla extract and soda water

## Source

- Recipe as specified by the International Bartenders Association: https://iba-world.com/iba-cocktail/irish-coffee/
- IBA video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWLonPDIpTo
- Strength is an estimate that allows for dilution from ice; brands vary.

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- Canonical page: https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/irish-coffee/
- Language: en
- Recipe data: International Bartenders Association specifications on iba-world.com, checked 22 October 2026
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