History of Irish Coffee

In many countries, coffee is the most popular hot beverage that is consume all day long. It is prepared in various forms with a variety of flavors according to regional and local tastes. According to Mr. Cullen, author of "Elegant Irish Cooking", the most popular is the Irish coffee. This coffee became popular in the early 1940's at the Shannon Airport in Ireland[1].

Legion has it that the beverage has its origins at the Foynes Airbase in Limerick. The airbase was the established airport for flying boats that traveled between America and Europe. The beverage was created by Joe Sheridan, the chef at the Shannon/Limerick Airport restaurant. He created the beverage for a group of American Passenger who had landed from a Pan Am flight. As the night was cold and rainy, the precursor presented the hot coffee to the passenger to warm them. When asked if it was Brazilian coffee, they were promptly told "no, it was Irish Coffee".[2]

As World War II was drawing to a close, civilian air travel began to increase. The Shannon Airport, located on Ireland's west coast, was strategically located to be an important part of the expanding air travel. As with most airports in Europe during those years, arrivals and departures were not always on schedule. Passengers were many times delayed. Extra meals, snacks and beverages had to be available for the delayed travelers. The most popular offerings were the Irish Coffees.

The Irish coffee is the only beverage that provides all four essential food groups in a single glass -- alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. The Irish coffee is made of freshly brewed strong coffee, Demerara brown sugar, an Irish measure of Irish whiskey (about 35.2ml or about 1 ½ to 2 oz.), and topped with fresh heavy cream. [3]

Typically Irish, as my Irish Grandmother put it, each ingredient has a special meaning. She explained it this way; "the cream is as rich as an Irish brogue, the coffee is as strong as a friendly handshake, the sugar is sweet as the tongue of an Irish rogue and the whiskey is smooth as the wit of the Irish land." [4]

[1] Noel C. Cullen, "Elegant Irish Cooking", 2001

[2] Michael Ogen, "The Original Irish Coffee Recipe and its History", The Irish Path

[3] Noel C. Cullen, "Elegant Irish Cooking:, 2001

[4] Lila F. Grant, Grandmother, County Clare, 1978