Irish Coffees with Porter Syrup
It’s cold enough out to freeze the balls off a brass monkey these days. That means it’s Irish Coffee season once again! Irish Coffees are currently enjoying a recent resurgence in popularity, even at home in Ireland. For decades, Irish Coffees were simply viewed in Ireland as “that drink we give to American tourists!” The cocktail was itself actually invented for American visitors to Ireland, so naturally this preconception is understandable. Check our blog on the history of Irish Coffee plus our quick-fire guide to making your own perfect Irish Coffee.
It’s difficult to reinvent a classic, but there are those out there who strive to craft the perfect Irish Coffee. One such innovation in this field is Porter Syrup.
The recipe
Teeling Whiskey has been a driving force behind the use of Porter Syrup. The recipe below comes from their website. Used as a substitute for brown sugar, Porter Syrup consists of:
- 1 Ltr of Stout
- 1Kg Muscovado Sugar
- ½ Cup Whole Cloves
- ½ Cup Juniper Berries
- 3 Cinnamon Sticks
- Zest of  1 whole orange
- 2 inch fresh ginger (grated)
- Pinch Salt
- 3 whole Star Anise
Don’t be intimidated by the long list of ingredients, the method itself is relatively simple:
- (Cold-stir sugar into the mix beforehand so as not to burn it)
- Add all ingredients to saucepan – bring to boil
- Allow to simmer for 10 minutes
- Remove from heat – steep for 5 minutes
- Strain and bottle
- Makes approximately 1.4ltr
Where can I buy one?
Now if you’re like me and couldn’t be bothered with all that, there are one or two spots in Dublin where you can try an Irish Coffee made with porter syrup. The first place that springs to mind is The Rag Trader on Drury Street. Check out our blog on The Rag Trader here! Nestled in Dublin’s premium shopping district, there’s no better way of finishing a tough day of Christmas shopping than a well-earned Irish Coffee in this cosy spot. Of course, it’s made with Porter Syrup. Enjoy with a chocolate brownie or with another Irish Coffee.
Another great spot for an Irish Coffee made with Porter Syrup is the Bang Bang Bar at the Teeling Distillery. You don’t have to take a tour of the venue to gain access to the Bang Bang Bar, plus they pull out all the stops each winter to serve up warm whiskey based cocktails. Is there a more appropriate place to try an Irish Coffee than a distillery in Dublin? Probably, but it’s still one of our favourites regardless.
Know anywhere else that serves up a Porter Syrup Irish Coffee? Let us know below!