Irish Coffee at The Buena Vista
by Patricia Noonan

There are lots of classic things anyone should do if they visit San Francisco. Having an Irish Coffee at The Buena Vista in the Fisherman's Wharf neighbourhood is just one, for starters. I went to the Buena Vista quite recently and it has that ‘lived in’ classic bar look. Dark wood, long bar, snappy server’s and white jacketed barmen. The staff call for ‘another one’ and the bartender knows exactly what that means; another Irish coffee. The glasses are lined up along the bar like an assembly line and supposedly they make up to two thousand A DAY!

And now for a little history…The story goes that a certain Chef, Joe Sheridan created the Irish coffee at restaurant that eventually became The Shannon Airport Lounge.

Legend has it that the owner of the Buena Vista, Jack Koeppler, asked a travel writer named Stanton Delaplane if he would help him to re-create the drink. The two men were unable to create the perfect replica because they had problems with the cream not staying afloat. The other problem was not getting the taste quite right, so that of course, required more drinking in order to select the ‘right’ Irish whiskey. Definitely a job for a travel writer…. Eventually, Jack Koeppler visited Joe Sheridan and convinced him to come to work for The Buena Vista in 1952. The mayor of San Francisco, at that time, happened to own a dairy, so Jack managed to get the problem of the cream sorted out. It had to age for 48 hours and then it was frothed ie slightly whipped, so that it would stay luxuriously afloat. The rest is history.

I would have to say that The Buena Vista Irish coffee is the best one I’ve ever tasted. Simplicity is the key. Just hot coffee into the pre-warmed glass, two sugar cubes, Irish whiskey and luxuriant, lightly whipped cream floated over a spoon into that iconic glass. Location helps the taste too I think….
I would just stick to the all ‘rounders for this drink too. Jameson’s, Paddy’s or Black Bush should do just fine.

To see how the experts make an Irish Coffee, check out the website of The Buena Vista.
www.thebuenavista.com

If coffees just aren’t your thing, than try any one of these Irish inspired drinks.

Black Velvet
Chill Champagne flute
Pour ½ full with Guinness
Top with Champagne or dry, sparkling wine

This is my Irish version of a Rusty Nail. You can add more Irish Mist if you like it a bit sweeter

Celtic Cross
Rocks glass filled with ice
1 oz Irish whiskey
!/2 oz Irish Mist

Trinity
Rocks glass filled with ice
½ oz Irish whiskey
½ oz Irish Mist
½ oz Baley’s Irish Cream

Irish Shooter
Pony Glass
½ oz of Irish whiskey
½ oz Bailey’s Irish Cream

Using back of teaspoon, float the Irish cream onto the Irish Whiskey for a layered look.

And if you don’t like anything but Irish whiskey, you’re alright in my books!

This article may be quoted as long as the author
 and this publication (Vintage Assessments) is properly
credited along with the link for contacting us
(patricianoonan@vintageassessments.com) is included.

Advance written permission is required for any commercial usage
and/or reference to out of date notes. All rights are retained by the author.