Irish coffee is a relatively modern creation, born not in a bar but out of care. In the 1940s, chef Joe Sheridan was working at an airport in Ireland that often became an unexpected overnight stop due to weather. One cold evening, faced with exhausted travelers who needed something more than caffeine, he added whiskey and cream to hot coffee and offered a small kindness in a cup.
That drink endured because it was never really about alcohol. It was about warmth. About hospitality. About helping people feel human again after a long journey.
This alcohol-free Irish coffee keeps that intention intact.
Alcohol-Free Irish Coffee Recipe
Ingredients
1½ ounces non-alcoholic whiskey
1 ounce brown sugar simple syrup
4 ounces freshly brewed hot coffee
¼ cup heavy cream, unsweetened
Instructions
Add the non-alcoholic whiskey and brown sugar syrup to a heatproof mug and stir until combined. Lightly whip the cream to soft peaks and set aside.
Pour the hot coffee into the mug and stir gently. Carefully float the whipped cream on top. Sip through the cream, not around it.
A note on comfort
Irish coffee was never meant to be flashy. It was designed to steady people who were tired, cold, and far from home. That is still its strength. The contrast of hot coffee and cool cream slows the drink down and invites you to stay with it a little longer.
Ways to make it yours
There is no single right way to make this drink.
Use your favorite coffee, whether it is freshly ground or instant
Swap hot coffee for cold brew for a modern, chilled version
Adjust the sweetness to suit your taste and your day
The structure holds no matter how you personalize it.
Why this belongs in Cr(af)t
This drink proves that alcohol was never the point. What mattered was warmth, ritual, and care. The non-alcoholic whiskey brings depth and spice without pulling you out of the moment or asking anything from tomorrow.
When life feels heavy or the day has taken more than expected, this is a way to offer yourself a small kindness.
If this resonates, subscribe to Cr(af)t for more alcohol-free recipes rooted in craft, comfort, and choosing what serves you.