Remind me not to complain about coldmaggedon or snowmaggedon when winter returns. Simply say the word 'heatmaggedon' to put an immediate stop any of my whining. Just the mere mention of that word should be enough to remind me what the insanely hot and humid days of August felt like and how dripping wet I was while trying to get my half-marathon training runs in this summer. The next best thing to resurrecting the backyard kiddie pool this summer (complete with a floating chaise lounge) has been the discovery of this luscious Frozen Irish Coffee. Between the two of them, I now have relief from hot days and hot nights covered.
You might be wondering if a Frozen Irish Coffee is as good as or maybe even better than a hot Irish Coffee. The best answer would be you must have both of them in your life. You might also be wondering if this blender cocktail made with ice cream is worth all the calories. The answer is unequivocally and emphatically yes!
Ice cream based cocktails became all the rage in the 70s an 80s. If you believe bartending lores and legends, then you are likely to believe the first Frozen Irish Coffee was created by Jim Monaghan, Sr., owner of multiple French Quarter bars in New Orleans sometime in the 80s. At some point at the turn of the century, there was a shift from creamy boozy cocktails to a return to the classic cocktails and the arrival of 'lighter' beverages. However, there was one exception. It seems the life of the Frozen Irish Coffee originating in the Big Easy doesn't seem to be ending any time soon.
Typically Irish Coffee is served in a footed Irish Coffee glass, but this one is best served in the more impressive old-fashioned or martini glass.
It goes without saying, Irish Coffee should be made with an Irish whiskey. I used Jameson but there are plenty of Irish whiskey options available. In addition to Irish whiskey, the cocktail is made with a chilled rich coffee, a good quality vanilla ice cream, a coffee liqueur (like Kahlua or Bailey's Irish Cream), and ice cubes.
After whirling all of the ingredients together in a blender, pour the mixture into a cocktail glass containing either one or two large ice cubes. The larger the ice cube, the likely they are to melt and dilute this luscious cocktail. Serve the Frozen Irish Coffee with or without a dusting of cocoa or espresso powder. The recipe below makes two generous servings.
While I could easily drink this Frozen Irish Coffee year round, it is really best enjoyed during the warm, hot weather months. It is the perfect, most refreshing finish to a meal or as a post cocktail party beverage.
Recipe
Frozen Irish Coffee
Makes 2 cocktails
Ingredients
2 ounces Irish whiskey
2 ounces coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlua or Bailey's Irish Cream)
1/2 cup good quality vanilla ice cream, just slightly softened
4 ounces dark roast chilled coffee
2 cups ice cubes
Cocoa or espresso powder for finishing
Directions
1. Put all of the ingredients in a blender.
2. Process until the mixture has a texture similar to a thin milkshake.
3. Add a large ice cube or several ice cubes to an old-fashioned glass. Pour in the Frozen Irish Cream. Lightly dust with cocoa powder.
4. Instead of an old-fashioned glass use a martini or footed Irish coffee glass).
Notes: (1) Recipe inspired by the Frozen Irish Coffee recipe shared in the June/July 2021 issue of Garden and Gun. (2) For optimal flavor, I highly recommend using a dark rather than a medium roast coffee. (3) To make the large cocktail sized ice cubes, I used a silicone mold like this one.