Cooking Lesson #715: Not So Irish High Octane Coffee

From the Perspectives’ Happy Hour Bar

How you doin’? Happy New Year! A cold day brunch or chilly evening dessert wouldn’t be quite right without an Irish Coffee to jump start the festivities.

I combine my cocktail ingredients into a glass or cup… coffee, orange juice, maple syrup, cream and flavorful spirits that provide a kick! As you will see, this riff is on The Classic is a little involved but, believe me, it’s sooo worth it!

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​Ingredients
1 ounce Mozart White Chocolate Vanilla Cream
1 ounce Old Forester 86 Bourbon
1/2 Ounce Orange-Vanilla-Maple Elixir*
Hot French-Press Coffee (or cold brew if iced)
Espresso Whipped Cream**
 
Directions

1. Add Mozart White Chocolate Vanilla Cream, Bourbon and Elixir to coffee mug.
2. Top with hot coffee (or fill glass halfway with cold brew and then ice).
3. Add espresso whipped cream on top.

                                  How To Make *Orange-Vanilla-Maple Elixir
Ingredients
The peels of 4 oranges
1 cup granulated sugar
1 vanilla bean, sliced down the middle
1 ounce real maple syrup (not pancake syrup)
1 ounce orange juice
 
Directions

1. Combine the orange peels, sugar, vanilla bean and maple syrup in a vacuum bag and seal.
2. Place in a sous vide bath set to 122⁰ F for 1-1/2 hours.
3. Remove from bath, strain and stir in the orange juice.

                                    **How to Make Espresso Whipped Cream
Ingredients
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon super-finely ground espresso (or instant espresso)
 Directions 

1. Place the heavy whipping cream in a cold metal bowl.
2. Whisk until soft peaks start to form.
3. Add the maple syrup and continue to whisk just until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold in the ground espresso.

ChefSecret:  For a smaller amount or for whipped cream on the fly, add 3 ounces of heavy cream and 1/2 ounce of maple syrup and a pinch or two of espresso to a clean shaker tin. Drop in the spring from your strainer then shake it like you mean it for 30 to 60 seconds.

Quip of the Day:  My Irish Coffee is the perfect breakfast because it contains
all five adult food groups: fat, sugar, caffeine, chocolate and alcohol.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well and drive safely. 

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