Irish Coffee This famous drink was invented in 1942 by Joseph Sheridan, the head chef at Foynes Airbase in Limerick (Now Shannon International Airport) as a way to provide a warming beverage to their cold and weary travelers. Irish Coffee 4 ounces coffee 1 1/2 ounces Irish whiskey 1 tablespoon brown sugar Garnish: Float 1/2 inch of lightly whipped cream on the top. Pre-heat an Irish Coffee glass with hot water. Combine the coffee, whiskey, and sugar in the glass. Stir well to dissolve the sugar. Source: Joseph Sheridan (1942)