Where was the Irish Coffee cocktail first created in 1943?

Irish Coffee was first created in Foynes, Ireland, in 1943.

The drink is traditionally made with hot coffee, Irish whiskey and sugar, then topped with a layer of lightly whipped cream. It was created at the Foynes airbase by chef Joe Sheridan, who served it to passengers whose flight had returned because of poor weather.

Foynes was an important flying-boat terminal on Ireland’s west coast during the era of transatlantic air travel. A warm, spirit-laced coffee was especially suitable for delayed or returning travelers. According to the well-known account, Sheridan later moved to Shannon Airport, where the drink continued to be served.

Irish Coffee is sometimes confused with coffee drinks made with other spirits or with cream stirred directly into the beverage. In the traditional presentation, the cream floats on top and the hot coffee is drunk through it. The sweetened coffee and whiskey remain beneath the cool cream layer.