The metre forhot cocktailsis upon us . And while the therapeutic - allHot Toddyand the grown - up version of thePumpkin Spiced Latteare both fine wintertime warmers , we ’re most excited about a drink with a little more get up and go : theIrish Coffee .

The Irish Coffee formula is jolly standard : Irish whisky , coffee , sweetener and cream . Though white sugar can be swapped for brown sugar and the ointment can be either Reddi - Wip or new whip cream , the proficient way to customize your Irish Coffee is with the most important fixings of all — thewhiskey .

Here , the five best Irish whiskeys for your Irish Coffee , whether you like it spice , ironical , fruity or additional - boozy .

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For a Classic Irish Coffee:Jameson Irish Whiskey

If you ’re the type to take shots ( plain or pickle - back ) , you ’re probably familiar with Jameson . The A-one - democratic Irish whisky is the biggest marketing marque in its category in the United States , so it ’s not surprising that it ’s the go - to whiskey for the Emerald Isle ’s key signature cocktail . It add a subtle spiced sweetness to an Irish Coffee .

For a Spicier Irish Coffee:Bushmills Black Bush

When we say spicier , we ’re not pertain to a whisky that tally higher on theScoville scale . Instead , we ’re talking about extra layers of baking spice notes . Spiking your Irish Coffee with this Bushmills bottling , which is made with a higher - than - common assiduousness of malt whiskey and age in sherry caskful , makes for a holiday - perfect interpretation of the cocktail . Its notes of dried fruits and spiciness try out like a parky winter Clarence Day .

For a Rich Irish Coffee:Knappogue 12-Year-Old

age in usedbourbonbarrels for 12 years and condense by pot still , this Irish whiskey fill up an Irish Coffee with round vanilla preeminence and plenty of spice and fruit flavors . Hand whip some pick with a fiddling vanilla extract for the topping to dally up the whiskey ’s flavor .

For a Fruity Irish Coffee:Green Spot

For those that like their Irish Coffees on the lighter side , this undivided pot still distilled whiskey is tops . It ’s aged in both ex - bourbon bbl andsherrycasks , giving it an oaky and fruity flavor that toy nicely with java .

For a Super-Smooth Irish Coffee:Teeling Small Batch

If spice and oak just are n’t your thing , opt for Teeling Small Batch . Aged in ex - rumbarrels , the ultra - smooth whiskey is wonderfully round . Its rum - like notes of vanilla extract and yield duet beautifully with dark , plenteous coffee .