Caramel Irish Coffee

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 05/13/21
Caramel Irish Coffee With Baileys Irish Cream

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The caramel Irish coffee is a deliciously creamy hot coffee cocktail that you're sure to love. This recipe is a fun twist on the famous Irish coffee and makes a delightful after-dinner drink.

Created at Haven Rooftop, which looks down on New York City's Times Square, the drink is one that you can easily make at home. The recipe simply adds the luscious taste of Baileys Irish Cream and the sweetness of butterscotch schnapps to the Irish whiskey and coffee base. Top it with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel, and you're ready to enjoy a dreamy cup of spiked coffee.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce Irish whiskey

  • 1 ounce Irish cream liqueur

  • 1 ounce butterscotch schnapps

  • 2 to 3 ounces freshly brewed coffee, to taste

  • Whipped cream, for garnish

  • Caramel syrup, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Warm a mug or Irish coffee glass by filling it with hot water. Allow this to sit for a few minutes, then discard the water.

  3. Pour the Irish whiskey, Irish cream, and butterscotch schnapps into the warm mug.

  4. Fill with coffee, and stir.

  5. Top with whipped cream and a drizzle caramel syrup. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • By preheating your glass, the drink will stay warmer longer. It's easy to do with the water from your teapot. Alternatively, you can heat the water-filled glass in the microwave for about 10 seconds.
  • As with any coffee drink, the caramel Irish coffee is best with freshly brewed coffee. The liquors act as sweeteners and creamers, so the stronger your coffee is, the better your drink will be.
  • Whipped cream in a can—such as Reddi Wip—is super easy to use and lets you create a beautiful mound on top of the drink. If you like a kitchen project, consider making your own whipped cream. It's easy and stores well so you can enjoy this drink a few days in a row.
  • For the caramel syrup, all you really need is ice cream topping. Alternatively, you can use a syrup designed to flavor coffees, such as those made by Torani or Amoretti. Be careful with these because they may pour out rather than drizzle unless you have a pump-top dispenser on the bottle.

Recipe Variations

  • Irish whiskey makes a true Irish coffee, but don't worry if you run out! Any style of whiskey other than a super-smoky scotch or a spicy rye should do just fine in this cocktail. Try it with bourbon or a smooth Canadian blend.
  • If you're not a fan of butterscotch, try another liqueur as a substitute. A few that would work great are amaretto, a hazelnut liqueur like Frangelico, or an herbal liqueur like Benedictine. Chocolate liqueurs are a delicious alternative, too.
  • Baileys is the most famous Irish cream on the market, but you can certainly pour any other brand and get a delicious cocktail. If you like, replace it with RumChata or a similar cream liqueur.

How Strong Is the Caramel Irish Coffee?

The caramel Irish coffee is a delightfully mild drink. Even with the three liquors, it has an average alcohol content around 13 percent ABV (26 proof). In the cocktail world, that's pretty low, and it's about the same as a glass of wine.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
277 Calories
1g Fat
28g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 277
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 4%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 53mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 28g 10%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 28g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 15mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 73mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)