- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- CocktailIrish
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every January 25
- Holiday emoji:
- ☕
National Irish Coffee Day warms up the calendar every January 25. This delightful holiday invites enthusiasts to indulge in the iconic blend of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and a generous dollop of whipped cream. Discover its rich history, master the perfect recipe, and find the best spots to enjoy this spirited beverage.
Want to sponsor National Irish Coffee Day? Learn how
Expected National Irish Coffee Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Irish Coffee Day often brings delightful deals from coffee shops and liquor stores alike. Expect chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ to offer special Irish Cream flavored beverages or discounts on coffee and whiskey pairings. Local cafes and pubs frequently run promotions on their signature Irish coffee creations, sometimes even offering complimentary toppings or a two-for-one deal. Liquor retailers such as Total Wine & More and BevMo! might feature sales on Irish whiskey brands like Jameson, Tullamore D.E.W., or Bushmills, encouraging home mixologists. Keep an eye out for grocery stores like Whole Foods Market or Kroger to highlight ingredients like heavy cream, coffee beans, and sugar. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 25 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Irish Coffee Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #IrishCoffeeDay. Film yourself crafting the perfect Irish coffee or trying a new variation.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #IrishCoffee. Share your beautifully presented Irish coffee creations or cozy moments enjoying the drink.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalIrishCoffeeDay. Share your favorite Irish coffee recipes and tips with friends.
National Irish Coffee Day Hero
Joe Sheridan
History of National Irish Coffee Day
The Irish Coffee was created in the winter of 1943 by Joe Sheridan, a humble chef at Foynes Port near Limerick, Ireland. The village of Foynes was an airbase for transatlantic flights at the time, often being the landing spot of many prominent figures and celebrities, normally as a layover and refuel spot for longer flights. Passengers would often need to spend the night in Foynes and a hub of new accommodation, bars, and restaurants was created to service the travelers.
One day, after a plane abandoned its trip and turned back to Foynes, Joe whipped up something to help the passengers forget about the cold and their disappointment. Legend has it that everyone drank their drinks in total silence, savoring the unique taste as it passed through their lips. One person eventually spoke up, asking Joe if they were drinking Brazilian coffee, to which he heartily replied “No, that’s Irish Coffee.”
Irish Coffee became a huge success and an airport specialty. Irish Coffee was introduced to the United States in 1952 by travel writer Stanton Delaplane. He brought it to the attention of Jack Koeppler, a bartender at the Buena Vista Hotel in San Francisco, and persuaded him to recreate it.
National Irish Coffee Day timeline
The Buena Vista, the San Francisco pub where Irish coffee made its U.S.debut, had its busiest day ever thanks to the 49ers playing in the Super Bowl.
Joe Sheridan brought the recipe for his specialty Irish coffee with him when he started to work in San Francisco.
Chef and bartender Joe Sheridan served airplane passengers the first-ever Irish coffee.
The cocktail menu in Viennese cafés started to include many variations of coffee and spirit mixes.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Irish Coffee Day
Local coffee shops and pubs can celebrate National Irish Coffee Day by offering special discounts or unique twists on the classic drink. Consider a ‘build-your-own Irish coffee’ bar with various whiskeys and toppings, or host a tasting event. Liquor stores can promote sales on Irish whiskey brands and offer recipe cards. Restaurants might feature Irish coffee as a dessert beverage, complementing their menu with a spirited finish.
National Irish Coffee Day FAQs
When is National Irish Coffee Day?
In 2027, National Irish Coffee Day is observed on Monday, January 25, marking a spirited start to the work week. Many will kick off their day with a celebratory cup or unwind in the evening with this iconic drink.
How many people drink Irish coffee?
The popularity of Irish coffee continues to grow, with an estimated 2.5 million servings sold annually in the U.S. alone. Its appeal spans generations, from those seeking a nostalgic treat to new enthusiasts discovering its unique warmth.
What are the key ingredients of Irish coffee?
The classic recipe for Irish coffee calls for freshly brewed hot coffee, a generous measure of Irish whiskey (such as Jameson or Tullamore D.E.W.), a teaspoon of brown sugar to sweeten, and a distinctive topping of softly whipped heavy cream.
Is Irish coffee always made with Irish whiskey?
While variations exist using other spirits, a true Irish coffee strictly adheres to Irish whiskey. Its unique character is integral to the drink’s identity, providing the traditional warmth and depth that enthusiasts expect.
National Irish Coffee Day Activities
Pour yourself a big cup of Irish coffee
It's hard to think of a better way to celebrate National Irish Coffee Day than by indulging in a giant cup of Irish-y coffee goodness. Kick back, relax, and savor the flavor.
Try out different whiskeys
Whiskey preferences can vary from person to person. In order to find the combination of Irish coffee ingredients that best suit you, some trial and error is necessary. You won’t hear us complaining about that.
Visit the motherland
What better way to honor Irish coffee than by making a trip to Ireland. Indulge in some whiskey and coffee while gazing over the picturesque countryside. Maybe a couple of pints of Guinness could accompany your Irish coffee. Just a thought.
5 Facts About Irish Coffee
Not whipped
The original Irish coffee recipe says to use cream that has not been whipped.
There is an Irish Coffee Festival
The village of Foynes in Ireland holds an annual Irish Coffee Festival.
Buena Vista Cafe made the largest
The bar entered the Guinness Record for making the largest Irish Coffee at 15 gallons.
There is a Standard
The National Standards Authority of Ireland published the Irish Standard I.S. 417: Irish Coffee.
Bailey is a non-traditional, but delicious ingredient
Irish Cream is usually used as a substitute for whiskey and cream.
Why We Love National Irish Coffee Day
Irish coffee is a great drink all year round
Sure, there's something extremely satisfying about sipping a hot Irish coffee during the cold winter months, but it's also a great tipple during the warmer months too. We don't know about you, but we drink coffee throughout the year — the addition of whiskey, sugar, and whipped cream are welcome, what’s not to like?
It's not difficult to make
There are some cocktails out there that seem to have a never-ending recipe list and/or way too many steps. Not Irish coffee, though. Almost anyone can make it. Just pour some whiskey into a mug with coffee, spoon in a little bit of sugar, and top it all off with a hefty dollop of whipped cream.
Irish coffee has some health benefits
Whilst all alcohol should be drunk in moderation, some tests have shown that the occasional cup of Irish coffee can help reduce the risk of certain diseases.
National Irish Coffee Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | January 25 | Monday |
| 2028 | January 25 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | January 25 | Thursday |
| 2030 | January 25 | Friday |
| 2031 | January 25 | Saturday |
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