Updated on: 6/8/2025
How to Make Frozen Irish Coffee
Frozen Irish Coffee brings the soul of the classic cocktail into a frosty, indulgent dessert drink. Famous in New Orleans—where the chill battles southern humidity—this icy treat delivers creamy coffee flavor balanced by Irish whiskey and just a hint of sweetness. Crafting the perfect frozen Irish Coffee is as much about choosing the right ingredients as it is about technique and equipment.
Essential Ingredients for Authentic Frozen Irish Coffee
While the original Irish Coffee is hot, the frozen variation requires a few adjustments in ingredient ratios and style. New Orleans bars have popularized recipes that blend the following base elements for smooth, balanced results:
- Strong cold or cooled filter coffee (not espresso)
- Irish whiskey (classic picks: Jameson, Powers, or Bushmills)
- Simple syrup or demerara sugar syrup
- Heavy cream or whole milk for body
- Plenty of ice—clean, fresh cubes or crushed
For that signature foamy cap, optional whipped cream is a welcome finishing touch. Some recipes use coffee liqueur or vanilla extract to round out flavor, though classic New Orleans style keeps it simple.
Method: Classic Frozen Irish Coffee (New Orleans Style)
- 120 ml cold, strong brewed coffee
- 60 ml Irish whiskey
- 30 ml simple syrup (1:1 ratio)
- 45 ml heavy cream
- 160–180 ml ice cubes (about 1 packed cup)
- Optional: 20 ml coffee liqueur or a dash of vanilla extract
How to Make Frozen Irish Coffee at Home
- Add coffee, Irish whiskey, simple syrup, heavy cream, and ice to a high-powered blender.
- Start blending on low, then gradually increase speed until mixture is smooth and pourable, with a slushy texture.
- Taste; adjust sweetness or whiskey if needed, and pulse to combine.
- Pour immediately into a chilled glass, filling to the top.
- Optionally, float a spoonful of lightly whipped cream on top for a classic Irish Coffee finish.
Alternate Methods and Ingredient Tweaks
Without a blender, some bartenders combine ingredients and shake them hard with very finely crushed ice, then pour into a chilled glass to mimic a frozen texture. Purists might resist, but finely crushed ice can approximate a slushy feel if blended equipment isn’t available.
- Swap the heavy cream for whole milk for a lighter mouthfeel.
- For a dairy-free option, use a full-fat oat or coconut milk substitute.
- Try a touch of brown sugar syrup or demerara syrup for deeper flavor.
- Add 20 ml coffee liqueur for extra richness, but balance the sweetness.
The New Orleans Frozen Irish Coffee Legacy
Frozen Irish Coffee achieved its cult status at Erin Rose in New Orleans, where it was first served as a boozy, bracingly cold treat for the city’s sultry nights. The bar’s own recipe famously uses cold-drip coffee, Irish whiskey, and a neutral ice cream base for extra body—though home bartenders’ adaptations can skip the soft-serve machine and focus on balanced flavor instead. Today, it’s a must-try in New Orleans, and a creative, satisfying recipe for any coffee cocktail fan.
