Homemade Irish Cappuccino (Irish Latte)

Why You’ll Love This Irish Cappuccino

With the holiday season fast approaching, this old-fashioned recipe is one of my (and my boyfriend’s) favourites for several reasons:

1. It is delicious and warming, perfect for dark winter nights and holidays.
2. It's simple to make, as all you need for this recipe are four common ingredients.
3. It can be served as a dessert – light, yet satisfying, a cup of this hot coffee with all the toppings will please every sweet tooth.
4. Making it at home saves you money as opposed to having it in a café.

Are you a coffee lover looking for more homemade coffee recipes? Try this pumpkin spiced iced latte, mocha iced latte, cold brew latte or iced caramel latte.

This blackberry sangria and non-alcoholic mulled wine are also great for cosy winter evenings.

Why Is It Called Irish Coffee?

The first Irish coffee was invented in late 1943 by Joe Sheridan at Foynes Airport, near Limerick, Ireland. Sheridan was a chef who created this hot cocktail for passengers waiting for a delayed flight. When a passenger asked him if the delicious drink was made with Brazilian coffee, Sheridan said in a joke ‘No, it was Irish coffee!’ Since then, it quickly became popular across Ireland and across the globe.

You can visit the birthplace of Irish coffee and enjoy a cup of this delightful treat in the Irish Coffee Lounge at Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum until this day.

Ingredients

To make this wonderful warming coffee drink in the comfort of your home, you need only a few basic ingredients:

• Coffee – espresso (1-2 portions) or strong instant coffee will work well here.

• Whole milk – full-fat milk froths better than semi or low-fat milk. Reheat it in a microwave, or gently on a hob (careful, milk burns easily!) and then blend it with a hand blender until you get a smooth and thick foam on top.

• Irish whiskey – the original recipe asks for Irish whiskey, however, any whisky or bourbon will do in this recipe. Feel free to choose an affordable brand, as some of the taste will be ‘lost’ when mixed with coffee and milk.

• Whipped cream – proper Irish coffee contains whipped cream. You're in for a real treat! Especially now before the holiday season, it’s great to enjoy a bit of indulgence.

• Nutmeg, cinnamon or cocoa powder – they all make great toppings and provide this traditional drink with even more delicate flavours. Use at least one or combine them.

Optional Ingredients:

• Sugar or sweetener - depending on the coffee and whiskey used, this hot coffee can taste a bit bitter sometimes, try it and add sugar or sweetener before adding whipped cream.

• Shaved chocolate, chocolate sauce or toffee sauce – for the most indulgent version of this drink, add some on top.

Substitutes & Variations

Plant-based milk – swap cow’s milk for any desired milk alternative. Almond, oat, rice or soy milk will work well in this recipe. Choose a barista edition if you can, these are better suited for frothing.

Decaff - use decaffeinated coffee, and you will still be able to enjoy the beautiful flavours of coffee, just without caffeine.

Baileys (Irish cream) can be used instead of whiskey in this drink - it will be deliciously creamy and will resemble more of an Irish Cream Latte.

Alcohol-free - use Irish coffee syrup or whiskey-flavoured syrup instead of Irish whiskey to enjoy the same indulgent taste, just without the alcohol.

Iced version - you can also serve it cold, using cold brew, chilled milk and ice.

Equipment & Method

To create this barista-style Irish cappuccino at home, you will need:

• A tall bowl or saucepan to reheat the milk,
• Hand-held milk frother (electric blender), or a mason jar with a lid,
• A latte glass, or a mug and a spoon for serving.

Of course, if you’re a lucky owner of a milk steamer or an automated milk frother, use these for warming up and steaming the milk 🙂

Step-by-step

This delicious Irish cappuccino is ready in four easy steps:

1. Make the coffee.
2. Heat up and steam up (froth) the milk.
3. Mix the whiskey with hot coffee. Add milk.
4. Top with whipped cream and nutmeg and serve.

All measurements and details are in the recipe card below this article.

What To Serve This Irish Coffee With

This cappuccino can be served on its own, and/or with your favourite desserts.

For a super-festive feeling, try it with warm mince pies, apple strudel, walnut cake, or with gingerbread or Linzer cookies.

Storage

This homemade Irish cappuccino is intended for immediate consumption.

When serving it hot, do not delay the serving too much, as the milk foam will become flat again soon, and reheated milky coffee doesn’t taste great when reheated.

Although, if for any reason you do need to keep it for later (no one wants to waste a good coffee and alcohol!), then put it in the fridge once cold - without the whipped cream. The coffee, milk and whiskey mixture will keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Do not reheat it before serving, instead serve it with ice and fresh whipped cream.

FAQs