Dead Rabbit Irish Coffee

The Dead Rabbit Irish Coffee is a world-renowned version of the classic, created at the eponymous New York bar. It elevates the original by using a rich demerara syrup instead of plain sugar, a high-quality Irish whiskey, and a specific technique for creating the perfect float of lightly whipped cream. This results in a harmonious blend of hot, sweet coffee and cool, velvety cream with every sip. The drink is designed to be sipped through the cream layer, providing a unique textural and temperature contrast.
Dead Rabbit Irish Coffee

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Dead Rabbit Irish Coffee is categorized as a hot cocktail and a coffee drink. It is considered a modern classic due to its widespread acclaim and influence since its creation in the early 2010s. It serves beautifully as a digestif or a warming winter beverage.

Serving

This is a layered drink served hot in a pre-warmed 6 oz footed glass, with a distinct cool cream top. The alcohol content is moderate, making it a warming but not overpowering cocktail.
Serving size
Approximately 6 oz / 180 ml
Alcohol content
Approximately 10-15% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Hot
Glass type
Footed glass mug
Glass treatment
Pre-heated with hot water

Backstory

Developed by Jack McGarry and Sean Muldoon at The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog in New York City, this recipe became an instant modern classic. Their goal was to perfect the Irish Coffee, and their meticulous version has since become a benchmark for the drink worldwide. It is one of the bar's best-selling items, a testament to its deliciousness and careful construction.
Origin
Created at The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, New York, USA, in the early 2010s.

Dead Rabbit Irish Coffee

This drink is a specific, branded recipe from The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog bar in New York City. It is a modern and meticulous take on the classic Irish Coffee and does not have common alternative names. It is known simply by the bar's name prepended to the classic drink's name.
Original name
Dead Rabbit Irish Coffee

Characteristics overview

This drink has a complex aroma of coffee and whiskey, with a flavor profile balanced between coffee's bitterness and demerara sugar's sweetness. Its defining feature is the textural contrast between the hot liquid and the cool, velvety cream float.
Flavor
Coffee, sweet, whiskey, creamy, rich, nutty, vanilla
Aroma
Roasted coffee, brown sugar, whiskey, malt
Taste balance
Sweet, bitter, rich
Aftertaste
Long, warming, creamy, coffee
Fizziness
Still, none
Color appearance
Layered, dark brown coffee base, opaque white cream top
Texture
Velvety, smooth, creamy, rich
Seasonality
Warming, wintery, cozy

Flavor intensity & Experience

The drink is moderately sweet and creamy with a pleasant bitterness from the coffee and a gentle warmth from the whiskey. It is a still, non-carbonated beverage with a rich flavor profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need a quality blended Irish whiskey, strong hot coffee, and a rich demerara syrup. The crucial topping is cold heavy cream, lightly whipped until thickened but still pourable.
  • Blended Irish Whiskey1 oz / 30 ml
    The Dead Rabbit uses Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey.
  • Rich Demerara Syrup0.5 oz / 15 ml
    Made with a 2:1 ratio of demerara sugar to water.
  • Hot Brewed Coffee3.5 oz / 105 ml
    A strong, high-quality drip or filter coffee is recommended.
  • Heavy Cream1 oz / 30 ml (lightly whipped)
    Must be cold and whipped to a thickened, pourable consistency.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

Basic measuring tools are needed, along with a device to prepare hot coffee. To achieve the perfect cream texture, a whisk or a protein shaker bottle is essential.
  • Whisk or protein shaker with blender ball for whipping the cream
  • Jigger for measuring liquids
  • Kettle or coffee maker for preparing coffee and hot water
  • Bar spoon for stirring and floating cream

Instructions

The method involves pre-heating the glass, combining hot coffee with whiskey and syrup, and then carefully floating a layer of chilled, lightly whipped cream on top before garnishing.
1. Prepare the cream: In a chilled bowl or protein shaker, whisk the cold heavy cream until it thickens but is still pourable. The ideal consistency is when it coats the back of a spoon. Keep refrigerated until needed.
2. Pre-heat the glass: Fill your 6 oz footed glass with hot water to warm it thoroughly. Let it stand for at least one minute, then discard the water.
3. Build the drink: Pour the rich demerara syrup and the Irish whiskey into the now-empty, pre-heated glass.
4. Add coffee: Fill the glass with hot coffee, leaving about a finger's width (1/2 inch or 1 cm) of space at the top for the cream layer.
5. Stir: Gently stir the mixture to ensure the syrup and whiskey are fully integrated with the coffee.
6. Float the cream: Take the chilled, thickened cream and slowly pour it over the back of a warm bar spoon, holding the spoon just above the coffee's surface. This will help create a distinct, clean layer.
7. Garnish and serve: Lightly grate fresh nutmeg over the top of the cream. Serve immediately.

Garnishing

A light dusting of freshly grated nutmeg over the cream float is the only garnish required, adding a wonderful aromatic touch that complements the drink's flavors.
  • Freshly grated nutmeg, lightly dusted over the cream float.

Dietary Information

This drink contains alcohol, caffeine, and dairy. It is suitable for vegetarians but not for vegans and is generally free from eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten (assuming distilled spirits are gluten-free).
✓ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a moderately caloric drink due to the cream and syrup. It has a high sugar content, primarily from the rich demerara syrup.
Calories
Averagely 200-250 kcal / 837-1046 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 15-20 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect as a digestif after a meal, for warming up on a cold day, or as a decadent brunch beverage. It is also a sophisticated choice for holiday gatherings or a quiet, cozy evening.
  • After-dinner
  • Winter warmer
  • Cozy night in
  • Brunch
  • St. Patrick's Day

Pairing suggestions

It pairs wonderfully with simple, not-too-sweet desserts like shortbread or a piece of high-quality dark chocolate. It is also substantial enough to be enjoyed on its own as a liquid dessert after a hearty meal, particularly in colder weather.
  • Shortbread cookies
  • Biscotti
  • Dark chocolate
  • As a standalone dessert course

The Dead Rabbit Irish Coffee: A Modern Masterpiece

The Dead Rabbit Irish Coffee is a masterful modern interpretation of a beloved classic. By focusing on quality ingredients and precise technique, it creates a perfectly balanced and texturally delightful experience. The contrast of the hot, sweet, whiskey-laced coffee with the cool, velvety cream float is what makes this drink so special. It is a must-try for any coffee or whiskey lover, representing the pinnacle of the Irish Coffee art form.

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