Frozen Irish Coffee

Frozen Irish Coffee
David Malosh for The New York Times. Food stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Total Time
5 minutes, plus freezing
Rating
4(389)
Notes
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This drink is inspired by the frozen Irish coffee served at Molly’s at the Market in the French Quarter of New Orleans, where it’s served from a frozen daiquiri machine. Freezing milk in an ice cube tray gives you a similar creamy consistency to the version at Molly’s, which contains no ice. Brandy provides a mellower flavor than Irish whiskey, but feel free to substitute whiskey for the brandy if you prefer.

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Ingredients

Yield:2 servings
  • ½cup vanilla ice cream
  • cups whole milk, frozen in an ice cube tray
  • 4ounces strong coffee or cold brew, chilled
  • 2ounces brandy
  • 2ounces coffee liqueur
  • ¼teaspoon fresh coffee grounds, for garnish
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (2 servings)

323 calories; 9 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 28 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 26 grams sugars; 6 grams protein; 96 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Add ice cream, frozen milk cubes, chilled coffee, brandy and coffee liqueur to a blender. Combine on high until the ice is crushed and the drink is smooth. (It will have the consistency of a thin milkshake.)

  2. Step 2

    Divide between highball glasses and swirl �� teaspoon coffee grounds on the top of each drink.

Ratings

4 out of 5
389 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

For small, recipe-type amounts of alcoholic beverages, you can always buy nip bottles at the liquor store.

This sounds amazing. But I don't have coffee liqueur and am reluctant to buy just for one recipe. How would it be with 4 ounces of Bourbon instead? And I think I will garnish it with shaved bits of dark chocolate, not coffee grounds.

If you have bourbon and a bit of time to plan ahead, you can easily infuse bourbon with coffee beans: mix a tbsp of beans (decaf if you want) + 1/4 c. (or so) bourbon in a small jar for a day or two (two is best), shaking gently when you think of it. Strain the beans out before you use it. Coffee liquor is very sweet, so a bit of extra sweetener may be in order...or not, as you choose.

I'm sorry, but English brandy in Irish coffee? ;) Please use Irish Whiskey or maybe Irish cream liqueur and then reduce the milk a little. <3

Kahlua liquer can be addictive (in a good way!) It is great added to a tall glass of milk or drizzled over vanilla ice cream. Trust me - it won't go to waste.

A little too mellow for my tastes but freezing the milk first was genius! Next time I will use Irish whiskey.

I agree w the above “English brandy?” It must be Irish something if you want to call it a frozen Irish Coffee! Great recipe though. Hint: pour the milk into ice cube trays and freeze. (Do the same w coffee/espresso.) You’ll have a thicker shake. Add an ounce of Irish cream too.

I made it with Coffee Pisco. Delish. Very frozen espresso martini vibes.

I was making many mini servings of this for a party and part way through ran out of brandy so switched to cognac - really took the flavor up a notch ! People loved these as a little cocktail dessert. The consistency was just right to slightly soften as it was being passed around.

For those with dietary restrictions, I made this with non-dairy vanilla (cashew milk) ice cream and oat milk, and it turned out great. I swapped the brandy for Irish whiskey.

I imagine that a vegan version of this would be delicious with non-dairy ice cream alternative and coconut or oat milk.

Because morning can never be coffee enough, I used coffee ice cream (love the 3 1/2 oz. Häagen-Dazs cups), a double-shot of cold espresso, St. George NOLA coffee liqueur & a pinch of instant espresso on top. Uh-huh!

At the risk of coffee liqueur snobbery, if you get something more flavorful than Kahlua, you won’t have an issue finishing it. An espresso martini or frozen cafe drink w/good liqueur & fresh espresso or coffee will ruin you for stuff that tastes 98% sugar…

Followed the recipe to a t. So good!!

I'm sorry, but English brandy in Irish coffee? ;) Please use Irish Whiskey or maybe Irish cream liqueur and then reduce the milk a little. <3

Yum, tastes just like Molly’s! I’ve been craving it for awhile and St. Patrick’s Day felt appropriate :)

Anyone tried this with non-dairy milk? I’m thinking oat would be good.

Absolutely!! We made with almond milk with great success!

I used bourbon (because that's what I had), doubled the coffee liqueur (because why the heck not?), and shaved dark chocolate on top instead of coffee grounds (because chocolate). Very refreshing and enjoyable. I now have a couple more ice trays of milk queued up.

where is the Irish Whiskey ?!

Omg. Just like Molly’s. Didn’t change a thing. Like a passport to New Orleans.

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