SF Cocktail of the Week: The Lark’s Irish Coffee

Although the Irish coffee was not originally created in San Francisco, over the past 50 years, the city has made the concoction one of its most beloved beverages. According to legend the libation was crafted in Dublin in the 1930s at a cocktail outlet known as the Dolphin Hotel. However it is Jack Koeppler and Stanton Delaplane who are credited with the local Irish coffee crazy. In 1952, the owner of the Buena Vista Cafe and international travel writer set out to recreate the drink they had sipped at Shannon Airport in Ireland. After much tinkering the duo finally created the perfect combination of sugar, coffee, whiskey, and cream. Since then the Buena Vista Cafe and many San Francisco bars serve up the warming delicious drink year round. It’s the perfect tipple to ward off the foggy chill of the city by the Bay. Since today happens to be National Irish Coffee Day, we reached out to The Lark, a low-key pub in downtown SF to learn how they make their scrumptious and soothing Irish Coffee.

The Lark’s Irish Coffee

40 ml Teeling Irish whiskey small batch
120 ml freshly brewed, robust coffee
20 ml simple syrup
Orange zested cream
Garnish: freshly grated nutmeg
Suggested glassware: hot drinks glass

Preheat glass with some warm water and discard, add the Teeling Whiskey, syrup, brewed coffee and stir to combine. Warm a large spoon and gently pour the cream over the back of the spoon and onto the coffee. Garnish with a light dusting of grated nutmeg and enjoy with friends!