'Tis The Season

As is done every year like clockwork, I spend an afternoon with my folks in an effort to create one of the season's best parts that we all enjoy. I fully admit that I don't imbibe in any sort of regularlity, saving my moments for special events and/or get-togethers. That's precisely why this beverage is needed to be made because it has a certain feeling of comfort like a evening with friends and family. Of course, I'm talking about the annual mixology event in my parents' kictchen known as Irish Cream Day. Along with my mom, known as Mrs. Quality Control, and my dad, known as Mr. Taste Tester, the afternoon was used to create bottles of the rich, delicious beverage for consumption over the next few weeks, and it's something that I hold in high regard as spending an afternoon with my folks is always good, and coming home with this delightful beverage is a bonus!

Thanks to Paul Lukas, who writes now the Inconspicuous Consumption substack and who turned me on to this recipe, I am a full-fledged member of the Irish Cream club. This beverage is a big hit wherever it's brought, and people are often surprised how easy it is to make. Of course, there are a lot of websites with various versions of this Irish cream recipe on them and I've tried a few, but they aren't the same as they taste slightly different or miss out on the rich, creamy texture. Stick with Paul's recipe, folks. You won't be disappointed.

Here is the legendary Paul Lukas' Irish Cream!

Ingredients

2 cups of Irish whiskey*
2 cups of cream**
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 tbsp. of chocolate syrup
1 tsp. of vanilla extract
1 espresso shot***
1/4 tsp. of almond extract

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a large container and be sure to stir well. Refrigerate for a couple of hours, and enjoy over ice.

Notes

* - any mid-range Irish whiskey will do - Bushmills, Jameson, Tullamore Dew - so don't buy any high-end whiskey. You'll lose the nuances of the high-end whiskey, which is what you're paying more for, in the Irish cream mixture.
** - half-and-half or 18% cream works best for a pourable, drinkable Irish cream, but 35% whipping cream will give you a thicker beverage that is more suitable as a topper for ice cream. Choose your cream based on your final product's needs.
*** - an espresso shot is 1 tsp. of instant espresso in 2 tbsp. of hot water and mixed well until dissolved.

The blend of chocolate, espresso, and vanilla tones in the smooth, sweetened base mixture of whiskey, cream, and condensed milk will be evident upon first taste. Served over ice, it's a delicious beverage that's entirely worth the effort of making it, specifically after coming in from the cold where the warmth from the alcohol found in the Irish cream will provide an immediate temperature boost. Even as an after-dessert drink, one can't go wrong with this beverage.

As a reminder, I am not qualified nor should I be consider a spirits master, so I have never tested the mixture for its alcohol content. In saying that, if you do make this beverage, please enjoy responsibly. Because of how tasty and easy-to-drink it is, be smart and call for a cab, an Uber or Lyft ride, or get a ride from a friend if you indulge in a couple of glasses. The last "gift" anyone wants this holiday season is a ticket for driving under the influence, an impounded vehicle, a suspended license, or all three of those things. Please be responsible so everyone can have a happy holiday!

It was a good afternoon of beverage-making, chatting, laughing, and planning out the big day set to land in eleven days. There was some quality control and taste testing for the two appropriate people who own said kitchen, and I was able to bring home a few bottles for my own consumption to enjoy. If you decided to indulge and make this beverage, please be responsible once more. Let me know how it turned out by dropping a comment below as well!

'Tis the season for a delicious adult beverage shared among friends at a holiday get-together, and this recipe brings it in spades!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!