Spirited Coffees
by: Charles Burke Oat
The legendary Shannon Airport of Ireland sparked the craze of libated coffees now so ubiquitous. From the neighborhood "dive extraordinaire" to the vaunted and all-star rated epitomes of fine cuisine; the steaming, spirited standards and house specialty coffees are the buzz of today. Seasonally popular for so long, these creative followers of the original Irish Coffee now enjoy their greatest hour, as "Coffee Houses, "Cafes", and "Beaneries" take America by storm or the steaming cup, so to speak.
This year round coffee craze is an exceptional way to brew up some serious profits, whether in the form of after dinner "cordiale cafe lattes", or a soul warming "house specialty". So spill the beans, get the word out and design your own spirited coffee menu.
Barter with area artists and potters. Let them trade coffee mugs, bowls or any cool cup for one of your house coffees. When you have enough to supply your customers for life, keep the business brewing by creating your own "Coffee Creation Night" and choose one customer's tasty recipe to feature on your menu for a week, or maybe permanently as the grand award.
The success of the original Irish Coffee is due to the pour. The pour, as in what Java you pour, what Irish Whiskey you pour, and finally the exquisite, liquid whipped cream. Isn't it so like the remarkable Irish to create a coffee presentation that mirrors the beautiful vision of a pint of Guinness.
The pouring and presentation of the many marvelous combinations of cordials and Liquors will keep any business hopping, for everybody in the new Millenium is awake and they are smelling the coffee.
The following Coffee Drink recipes recipes represent the artistry these warm beverages bring out in all of us as bartenders. A list of these standards found in most recipe books, and few of my own, should get you started creating a house specialty, such as these. Move ingredients around or sub one of your favorite flavors where you think it will create a new harmony of taste. Don't forget to garnish. Colored sugars, rimming the glass, curls of chocolate tucked into a swirl of whipped cream; Pouring and Presentation is what makes our reputation as Bartending professionals.
Coffee Delights
Cafe I.R.A.
- 1/2 Oz. Baileys Irish Cream
- 1/2 Oz. Kahlua
- 1/2 Oz. Jamesons Irish Whiskey
- Your House Brew
- Fresh Whipped Cream
Sophia Loren
- 3/4 Oz. Chambord
- 3/4 Oz. Amaretto Di Saronno
- Coffee
- Whipped Cream Float
Keoke Coffee
- 3/4 Oz. Brandy
- 3/4 Oz. Kahlua
- Coffee
- Whipped Cream Float
Irish Coffee
- 1-1/2 Oz. Irish Whiskey
- 2 Cubes Of Sugar
- Coffee
- Whipped Cream Float
Nutty Irishman
- 3/4 Oz. Baileys Irish Cream
- 3/4 Oz. Frangelico
- Coffee
- Whipped Cream Float
Jamaican Coffee
- 3/4 Oz. Tia Maria
- 3/4 Oz. Gold Rum
- Coffee
- Whipped Cream Float
Derby Coffee
- 1-1/2 Oz. Fine Kentucky Bourdon
- Dash Of Spearmint Schnapps Coffee
- Whipped Cream Float
Kilted Coffee
- 1 Oz. Drambuie
- 1/2 Oz. Mandarin Napoleon
- Coffee
- Whipped Cream Float
Coffee Mist
- 1 Oz. Irish Mist
- 1/2 Oz. Sheridan's
- Coffee
- Float 1 Oz. Guinness Stout
- Whipped Cream Float
Whether you serve in the standard 8 Oz. Footed glass mugs or in one of your crazy collection of house vessels, do not forget to grace these great coffees with colorful, creative garnishes and your pouring and presentation will bring you year round profits.
This article is Copyright 2000, Charles Burke Oat, and is licenced non-exclusively to Bar None Drink Recipes for display on their web site. No unauthorized duplication or transmission is allowed.