Alrighty! Here we go folks. First day of the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day recipe count down! And what better way to kick things off than with this caffeinated, boozy delight of a cocktail – The Belfast Coffee! Now I know some of you might be thinking… “Oh right. An Irish Coffee. We get it.” I understand how you might think that…but ya’ll….This libation is so much more than just an Irish Coffee! (Not that there’s anything wrong with an Irish Coffee mind you. Just saying…this is soooo much better!) But let’s not let me get ahead of myself. So, as I mentioned, the Husband and I were off to Ireland again in late January of this year. We were very lucky in that we had planned to meet up with RascalCook and he introduced us to Bar 1661, where we had the pleasure of experiencing this exquisite Belfast Coffee. To be honest, it is a unique twist on the Irish Coffee. Instead of Irish Whiskey, Poitín is substituted and instead of hot coffee, the choice is cold brew.
A fluffy, lightly whipped cream is floated on top, accompanied with a lovely garnish of freshly grated nutmeg. One sip and I swear you’ll be hooked!
Now, I’m thinking one or two of you might be thinking, “Poitín?” Oh ya’ll… let me tell ya all about it! Poitín is an Irish word that can be translated to “small pots” which is in what this spirit was traditionally distilled. It has also been called “Irish Moonshine” by some, or perhaps that “Old Mountain Dew” by others. In 1661, poitín was banned in Ireland. This ban was not lifted until 1997! Fast forward to today, and Bar 1661, whose menu proudly boasts “Staunchly Irish & Fiercely Independent”, celebrate Poitín’s place in the modern canon of Irish drinks. This phenomenal cocktail bar deservedly won Bar of the Year in 2022 from Hospitality Ireland. Indeed, I can honestly say this is the best cocktail bar I have ever been to, anywhere…full stop! While they celebrate all Irish drinks, 60% of their drinks feature poitín. We imbibed on what a fair few might say are far too many of their elixirs. I dunno, seemed like the right amount to us. We delighted in:
The Paperwork:
The Golden Moment:
As well as a flight of amazing Poitíns that Bar 1661 has on offer:
Having been completely initiated into the world of poitín, once I arrived back here in the States, I began the difficult process of trying to source a bottle of it for myself. Luckily I was able to find some of the authentic stuff in this Mad March Hare Poitín. This delightful tipple is distilled in West Cork from malted barley. Check out their website for fantastic cocktail recipes and without a doubt, score a bottle for yourself!
And if you’re visiting Dublin, Bar 1661 is an absolute must!
Belfast Coffee
recipe from: Irish Kitchen Cocktails: 60 Drinks You Can Make at Home with Everyday Equipment by Oisín Davis
Ingredients:
- ice cubes
- 60 ml (2 fl. oz.) cold brew coffee
- 30 ml (1 fl. oz.) Poitín ( I used Mad March Hare Irish Poitín)
- 15 ml (1 Tablespoon) Demerara sugar syrup (recipe below)
- 1 Tablespoon lightly whipped cream
- freshly grated nutmeg to garnish
Directions:
Chill your glass of choice with some ice.
Pour the coffee, poitín and Demerara sugar syrup in a 500 ml Kilner jar or a 17 oz shaker and fill it with ice. Stir with a tablespoon for 20 seconds.
Remove the ice from the glass. Open the Kilner jar and using the lid, strain the liquid into the chilled glass.
Holding a spoon upside down over the top of the glass, slowly pour the cream onto the back of the spoon. The cream’s fall will be cushioned by the spoon so that the cream sits on top of the coffee and doesn’t sink. Fill the glass to the brim with the cream. Grate fresh nutmeg on top to garnish.
Demerara Sugar Syrup
- 200 grams Demerara Sugar
- 100 ml (3 1/2 fl. oz.) boiling water
Directions:
Place the sugar in the boiling water. Once it has dissolved and the liquid is clear, store it in a jar in the refrigerator. It will keep for one week.
Enjoy!
Links for Helpful Kitchen Tools & Ingredients for Belfast Coffee:
*Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase*
Irish Kitchen Cocktails: 60 Drinks You Can Make at Home with Everyday Equipment by Oisín Davis – OMG! I love this book. So making craft cocktails at home can be a bit intimidating to say the least. Oisín Davis, who has years of experience in the hospitality/drinks industry, completely demystifies the process in his book. He shows you that you don’t need a ton of specialty bar equipment to make a superb cocktail. You can achieve outstanding result by using common kitchen supplies! He also does an amazing job of promoting some of the best distilleries on the planet, which call Ireland home!
Oxo Measuring Cups -7 Piece Nesting Measuring Set. I absolutely love this set and it is very useful!
Travel Planning Guide:
Getting there: Icelandair! We love Icelandair and have always had great experience with them. Icelandair flies to Dublin, Ireland. Take advantage of their Stopover program on your next flight to Europe.
Car Rental: New Way Car Hire – Love the all-inclusive pricing on these cars as well as the Dublin Airport pickup!
Accommodation: Number 31 – This luxurious hotel is half traditional Georgian townhouse and half modernist mews which are connected by a charming courtyard. The Georgian townhouse half is where we have always chosen to stay and we love the mildly eccentric jazz age flamboyance. The location of this decadent hideaway is also superb. It is steps from St. Stephen’s Green in the heart of the city. We would not dream of stying any where else and cannot wait to visit again!
Restaurants/ Cafés/ Bakeries/ Pubs:
Bar 1661 – Voted Ireland’s Bar of the Year in 2022! My favorite cocktail bar full stop! Not just in Ireland, but everywhere! Folks, if you are visiting Dublin and you like cocktails at all, this is an absolute must!!! The ambiance is in point, not to mention the historical significance as well as the absolute enthusiasm everyone there has for crafting exceptional cocktails! I will say, make sure you book a reservation. You do not want to miss this!
Attractions:
Dublin Castle – 13 Century castle. Today Irish Govenment and Conference Center.
Grafton Street – One of the principal shopping streets in the city center. Mostly pedestrianised and lined with many cafes, shops and street performers.
Temple Bar- Busy riverside neighborhood with many pubs, restaurants and quirky boutiques.
Guinness Storehouse – Learn about the history of Ireland’s most iconic beer over seven floors. Enjoy 360 degree views of the city from the Gravity Bar!
Lea & Jay 