Irish Cappuccino (Homemade Irish Coffee)

This Irish cappuccino, also known as a homemade Irish coffee or as an Irish latte, is one of my favorite ways to make a coffee cocktail. It's creamy and delicious and if you're a coffee lover, you'll love this. Let's get into it!

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You’ll love this homemade Irish cappuccino, aka the Irish coffee.

It’s a delicious coffee cocktail recipe. If you love coffee, you will love this recipe! It's one of my favorites.

It’s easy to make. So easy to make! With 3 simple ingredients, it comes together in no time so it's perfect to make for yourself or for guests at a St. Patrick's Day party.

It’s perfect for all your St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Seriously so perfect! You can buy a big batch of coffee from a local shop or places like Starbucks or Dunkin, add in some Jameson and Bailey's to each cup and call it a day!

Why is it called Irish coffee?

Ingredients

Irish Whiskey. I prefer to use Jameson or Tullamore DEW for this recipe. However, you can use whatever Irish whiskey you like best!

Coffee. Of course, you'll need coffee. I have a Nespresso dupe that brews espresso shots, but you can just brew a regular pot of hot black coffee and use that! Make your coffee how you like it coffee and use that as the base for your recipe.

Bailey’s Whipped Cream. Now, you don't need Baileys whipped cream, but it's so easy to make and such a delicious topping. Alternatively, you can use creamer or plain old Bailey's. I definitely recommend adding a touch of Irish cream liqueur as opposed to using regular creamer, though.

How to make an Irish cappuccino

1. Brew your coffee how you like it. I personally brew espresso, and I brew about 3 oz.
2. In a coffee mug, add 1.5 oz. of Irish whiskey.
3. Pour in your coffee then top with Baileys whipped cream, or just pour Bailey's Irish cream into it.
4. Give it a light stir and enjoy!

Do you stir Irish coffee before drinking?

Nope! You have that beautiful cream topping, and part of the experience is having the difference in temperatures hit your tastebuds all at once.

Garnish ideas for an Irish cappuccino

1. 3 coffee beans, like an espresso martini!
2. A dusting of shaved chocolate
3. Dash of nutmeg or cinnamon
4. A Pirouette cookie

Variations and substitutions

Decaf Coffee. If you want a coffee cocktail that won’t keep you up all night, you can opt for a decaf brew to make this cocktail.

Steamed Milk or Whipped Cream. If you don’t have Baileys or any Irish cream on hand, you can use steamed and frothed milk or whipped cream.

Sugar. If you like the sweetness of sugar, you can absolutely add a teaspoon of granulated sugar or brown sugar to this recipe. I personally think this cocktail is perfect without the sugar, but then again, I don't drink my coffee that sweet anyways.

Instant Coffee. Instant coffee might get a bad rap, but if you want an easy way to make this cocktail without making an entire pot of coffee, you can totally combine a spoonful of instant coffee with hot water.

Cold Brew. Alternatively, you can make this into a cold cocktail by making this with cold brew. In a glass filled with ice, add in your whiskey, add in 3-4 oz of cold brew and then top with Baileys for an iced Irish cream cappuccino.

What to serve this Irish coffee with

You can serve Irish coffee at breakfast with some pastries, or it makes for a great after dinner drink! Especially when you need a little pick-me-up.

Storing

You can store the Baileys whipped cream in the freezer or fridge if you’d like, but other than that, this cocktail doesn’t store well. If you must, I recommend placing it in the fridge, covered, and then pouring it over ice to drink any leftovers.

FAQ

What is in Irish cappuccino?

Irish whiskey, coffee and Irish cream liqueur.

Does Irish cappuccino have alcohol?

Yes! It has alcohol from whiskey and Irish cream liqueur.

Is Irish coffee hot or cold

Traditionally, it's hot. However, you can make a cold-brew version.

Does Irish coffee wake you up?

It does! It has about 4 oz. of coffee in it, so it definitely has caffeine.

Amazon home finds

If you want to be really authentic, you’ll want to be sure you’re serving them in these Irish coffee mugs.

Also, if you want perfectly frothed milk for any coffee drink you’re making, I’ve been using my hand frother for years and am obsessed with it.

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Want more cocktail recipes?

• Espresso Martini with Bailey’s
• Salted Caramel Martini
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot Recipe
• Lemon Drop with Limoncello