My Favorite Irish Coffee

2 tablespoons good quality Irish whiskey (Jameson’s works well.)
4 teaspoons sugar
About 1 1/3 cups brewed hot coffee, preferably strong, dark French roast
1/2 cup heavy or whipping cream, softly whipped

1. Place 1 tablespoon of whiskey and 2 teaspoons of sugar in each of two heatproof glasses or cups. Stir with a spoon until sugar dissolves. Pour enough hot coffee into each glass or cup to fill it about 3/4 full. Stir again.

2. Hold a tablespoon (with the back of the spoon facing you) over the coffee in one cup, and ladle 2 to 3 tablespoons of the whipped cream over the spoon so that it gently falls into the coffee. Adding the cream this way will help it float on top of the coffee instead of sinking immediately to the bottom. Repeat with the other serving. Serve immediately. Serves 2

Adapted from Coffee by Betty Rosbottom (Chronicle Books 2006)