When it comes to New York City’s bespoke bar culture, the Dead Rabbit, known for its clever, 19th-century decor and extensive, utterly creative and expertly prepared cocktails, consistently tops the list. The award-winning, multi-level grog shop pays homage to our city’s legendary Irish-American heritage with several Irish whiskey spiked concoctions. Co-founders Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry spent countless hours mastering their widely celebrated signature Irish coffee, which begins with Clontarf 1014 blended Irish whiskey combined with Sumatra Mandheling Coffee and sweetened with a half ounce of demerara syrup, warmed to a perfect 78 degrees Celsius. The finished drink is poured into a classic stemmed glass and delicately topped with lightly whipped heavy cream. Sláinte!
There’s a reason that Irish greet each day with a chipper, “Top o’ the mornin’ to ya!” and that reason is Irish coffees. Sweet, creamy, nutty, hot and extra boozy, NYC has some of the best Irish coffee outside of Ireland (and San Francisco, which was the true birthplace of the beloved winter warmer.) Irish coffee has been a seasonal favorite for American drinkers since its invention 1952, and our fair city—with its large, deeply rooted Irish-American population, cozy bars (especially bars with fireplaces) and authentic Irish pubs—isn’t far behind. On St. Patrick’s Day (or any day), forego college-era frothy beer and raise a toast to old Erin with a slow-sipped classic Irish coffee at one of these ten bars in NYC.
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