Irish Coffee with Vanilla
A classic Irish coffee reimagined with a whisper of vanilla, balancing rich coffee, smooth whiskey, and a delicate cream float for a perfectly balanced evening sip. This recipe, ready in about 8 minutes, brings together strong brewed coffee, Irish whiskey, and brown sugar for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
- 1.5 oz Irish whiskey
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp heavy cream, lightly whipped
The coffee makers we’d brew this with → Best Coffee Makers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Warm a heatproof mug by rinsing it with hot water, then dry thoroughly with a towel.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 oz Irish whiskey, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract to the mug and stir until sugar dissolves completely (about 30 seconds).
- Step 3: Pour 1/2 cup hot strong brewed coffee into the mug, stirring gently to combine all ingredients.
- Step 4: Gently spoon 2 tablespoons lightly whipped heavy cream over the coffee, allowing it to float on top without mixing.
- Step 5: Serve immediately while the cream remains visible on the surface.
