Irish coffee glass

Glassware

The Irish coffee glass is a clear, footed glass with a handle, built for hot coffee drinks such as the Irish Coffee.

Also called: Irish coffee mug · toddy glass · liqueur coffee glass

Classic San Francisco glass: 6 oz (178 ml)
Irish Coffee: 1.7 oz (50 ml) Irish whiskey, 4 oz (120 ml) hot coffee, 1 tsp sugar, 1.7 oz (50 ml) cream
Capacity: 6 to 8.5 oz (180 to 250 ml)
Used for: The Irish Coffee and other hot drinks, such as the Hot Toddy and liqueur coffees

What Irish coffee glass means

You will see this glass wherever Irish Coffee is served, with Irish whiskey and hot coffee under a layer of cream. The cream is meant to float on top, not mix in, so each sip brings a little of both.

The same glass suits other hot drinks, such as liqueur coffees. The classic San Francisco version holds 6 oz (178 ml), and the range runs up to 8.5 oz (250 ml). A cold glass pulls heat out of the coffee, so the drink cools fast.

You may hear this glass called a toddy glass or a liqueur coffee glass, and some bars say Irish coffee mug. The name matters less than the shape. Look for clear sides, a foot and a handle, which set it apart from a coffee cup.

How to serve a drink in an Irish coffee glass

Build the drink in a warm glass and add the cream last, so it floats on top.

1.Warm the glass with hot water, then pour the water out before you build the drink.
2.Add the Irish whiskey and the sugar to the glass, then pour in the hot coffee and stir until the sugar dissolves.
3.Float lightly whipped cream on top by pouring it slowly over the back of a spoon.

Irish coffee glass compared

Coffee mugA mug hides the layers. This clear, footed glass shows the dark coffee under the cream, and its handle keeps your hand away from the heat.
ToddyA toddy is the hot drink style, and this glass is one of the usual vessels for it.

Related terms

Ingredients

Put it to use in your next drink

Garçon explains every step as you make the drink.