Celebrate St. Patrick! by Margaret Ullrich - Irish Coffee Recipe and Irish Fix Recipe

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Whatever your religious background,

Spring is returning.

And that in itself is a reason to celebrate!

I got a request for an Irish Coffee recipe.

Irish coffee actually has a bit of history. 

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Stanton Delaplane was served one during a stop at Ireland’s Shannon Airport bar in 1952.

Bartender Joe Sheridan, from the port city of Foynes, Ireland, had created the coffee drink during World War II to greet weary Yankee travellers arriving by seaplane in the wee hours of the morning. 

Irish people drank whiskey in tea, but Sheridan knew the Americans preferred coffee.

A smart businessman, Sheridan knew the customer was always right.

When Delaplane returned to San Francisco, he passed the recipe on to barman Jack Koeppler at the Buena Vista Cafe.

The rest of America soon learned of this drink.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.

Hints:

Use high-quality, freshly ground and brewed beans.

Always whip your heavy cream without sugar right before serving.

Sheridan’s recipe went as follows: 

Cream – rich as an Irish brogue

Coffee – strong as a friendly hand

Sugar – sweet as the tongue of a rogue

Irish whiskey – smooth as the wit of the land

Here’s a recipe, with some measurements, for two:

                        Irish Coffee

Place in a small saucepan

12 ounces brewed coffee

4 teaspoons sugar

Stirring occasionally, set over low heat until the mixture is hot but not boiling.

Pour 6 ounces hot coffee into each of two 8-ounce heatproof glasses or mugs.

Add to each serving

1 1⁄2 ounces Irish whiskey

Top with a collar of whipped cream by pouring gently over a spoon.

Garnish with mint leaves (optional)

Enjoy it while piping hot.

Variations:

Italian coffee: Substitute amaretto for the whiskey.

Jamaican coffee: Substitute dark rum for the whiskey.

Mexican coffee: Substitute Kahlúa for the whiskey.

Not a big fan of coffee?

No problem.

Have an Irish Fix or an Irish Cobbler.

Fixes and Cobblers were once wine-based drinks shaken with ice. 

Now they include spirits and mixers served over crushed or cracked ice. 

A Fix is 8 ounces, and a Cobbler is 12 ounces.

A cobbler is also a very nice fruit dessert.

It's not particularly Irish.

But it could make a good dessert for your St. Patrick's dinner.
And you could serve it with some Irish coffee.

                        Irish Fix

Place in a chilled highball glass

1 teaspoon simple sugar syrup

2 ounces Irish whiskey

1/2 ounce lemon juice

Fill with cracked ice and stir well. 

Garnish with

1 thin lime slice

1 thin orange slice 

Float on top

2 teaspoons Irish Mist (a honey liqueur)

About Friday’s new moon in Pisces…

According to the folks at astrology.com:

This intense week culminates with a total solar eclipse and full Moon on March 20, the same day as the Vernal Equinox. 

Something may be reaching its end, but a bold, beautiful, and brilliant new beginning is well within reach! 

Plant those seeds now, and don't be afraid to put down roots this time.