Lift a little fog with the Bay Area’s own Buena Vista Irish Coffee.
The story of tonight’s drink is a famous one. In the 1940s, a transatlantic flight was stranded at Foynes Airbase in Ireland due to stormy weather. With the international passengers stuck, the airport’s chef, Joe Sheridan, had what wound up being a genius and brilliant idea. And it was only to soothe the waylaid folks waiting to get back in the air. Mixing whiskey, brown sugar and cream with coffee, Sheridan gave warmth and comfort to his guests, and also invented the world-renowned Irish Coffee.
And while it originated on the Emerald Isle, San Francisco was where the concoction first became popular in the United States. Travel writer Stanton Delaplane had passed through Foynes on one of his many trips, and enjoyed the Irish Coffee so much that he brought the beverage back stateside with him. In the early 1950s, both Delamore and the owner of Frisco’s Buena Vista bar and café, Jack Koeppler, attempted to recreate Joe Sheridan’s recipe and eventually succeeded in crafting their own version of it, named appropriately the Buena Vista Irish Coffee.
The Buena Vista is still a trendy and popular spot in the Golden City, having first opened its doors in 1916. The next time you’re in town, make sure you stop in and treat yourself to a few Buena Vista Irish Coffees. As you sip and relish the robust and creamy flavors, you’ll marvel at the fact that almost 2,000 of these drinks get served every day there, and have been for decades.
That’s a lot of coffee and whiskey, to say the least.
What Is The Best Whiskey To Use In A Buena Vista Irish Coffee?
From the stories I’ve read about The Buena Vista, Tullamore D.E.W. is the favored whiskey for their own Irish Coffees. There’s a fantastic article from The Bold Italic that discusses the history of this recipe and the famous Bay Area bar, and mentions that the first time Tullamore was delivered anywhere in the United States, it was at The Buena Vista in 1952. So while there are plenty of mouth-watering Irish whiskies on the market, let’s stick with Tullamore if we want to authentically recreate this celebrated San Francisco treat.
Ingredients
- 2 sugar cubes
- 6 ounces hot brewed coffee
- 1 1/2 ounces Irish whiskey
- 2 ounces heavy cream lightly whipped
Instructions
- Fill a 6-ounce heat-proof glass with very hot water to preheat it. Wait about a minute, then discard the water.
- Place 2 sugar cubes in the warm glass, then add 6 ounces of hot brewed coffee. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Pour the whiskey in and stir. Slowly add the lightly whipped heavy cream over the back of a spoon so it floats on top of the coffee. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?
You’ll need a heat-proof glass mug with a comfy handle to imbibe this cozy beverage. Garnish the top with whipped cream poured over a spoon to create the perfect sweet topper.
CAN YOU STORE THE BUENA VISTA IRISH COFFEE?
I recommend making and serving this drink right away and not prepping it days or hours beforehand. Coffee is best when it is fresh. But if you have any Irish Coffee leftover, you can keep it covered in your fridge for a few days and enjoy it cold.
HOW MANY CALORIES ARE IN A BUENA VISTA IRISH COFFEE?
This decadent caffeinated dram is a whopping 332 calories per glass. Keep that in mind when craving a second or third round.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS AND AN IRISH COFFEE?
Apart from the name and location of their creations, the differences are fairly non-existent. This Buena Vista recipe involves dissolving sugar cubes, whereas the recipe for an Irish Coffee uses brown sugar or simple syrup. For a real Buena Vista Coffee, you must order one at The Buena Vista in San Francisco.
Other Coffee Drinks Worth Trying
It’s the weekend, maybe a Sunday morning. You’re the only one awake and have the whole place to yourself. The coffee is brewing, filling your home with its wonderful aroma. The quiet is calming, and even though the sun is still beginning to rise, the light is already bright and beautiful. So why not add a little something special to your java by making one of these indulgent treats?
- Nutty Irishman – A little hazelnut liqueur makes your Irish Coffee a nutty one.
- Baileys White Russian – Vodka, coffee liqueur and some Baileys make this classic a creamy one.
- Pumpkin Espresso Martini – Pumpkin joins espresso for the perfect autumnal libation.
- The Bushwacker – This tropical summertime favorite also has some coffee liqueur swimming in it.
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