For reasons that remain something of a mystery, the Irish Coffee occupies a marginal place in contemporary mixology—though not at Swift Bar in London. Here, it is prepared to near perfection, and guests travel from all over the world specifically to try it. Connor Shora Bloomfield, Head of Bars at Swift, explains the secret behind its success.
Irish Coffee: It Looks Simple. It Isn’t
The Irish Coffee as we know it today dates back to the 1950s, most likely in Ireland, and is generally attributed to Joe Sheridan. The recipe is straightforward: Irish whiskey, hot coffee, cream, and sugar. Yet, as is often the case, simplicity can be deceptive — and Irish Coffee is no exception. “Balance and precision are essential,” confirms Connor Shora Bloomfield, especially when the goal “isn’t so much to reinvent the cocktail, but to prepare a classic to an exceptional standard.”
The Swift Bar’s Irish Coffee
Bloomfield recalls that “Swift’s Irish Coffee was born out of a shared obsession. Bobby Hiddleston and Mia Johansson, who were part of the opening team in 2016, had worked in places that took particular pride in how they prepared and served this drink. They brought that same dedication to Swift.”
Swift Bar: The Secret to an Exceptional Irish Coffee
Crafting a memorable Irish Coffee means focusing on “balance and precision,” says Bloomfield — and that starts with careful choices around ingredients and technique.
“We use our own coffee blend, made with medium-to-dark roasted Arabica beans to emphasize chocolate notes. The coffee is then sweetened with demerara sugar, which helps maintain an even, harmonious flavor profile. Temperature is controlled meticulously, keeping both the coffee and the glass at 75 degrees Celsius — the ideal temperature for drinking and for preserving the integrity of the cocktail. We also use sous-vide preparation to combine quality with ease of service.”
As for the Irish whiskey, “we favor richness, with notes of chocolate and malted caramel that pair naturally with coffee. The drink is finished with a double layer of hand-whipped cream and a light dusting of freshly grated nutmeg.”
An Irish Coffee Worth Being Proud Of
Scanning reviews from those who have tried Swift Bar’s Irish Coffee, praise is a constant. Some have gone so far as to call it the best in the world. Bloomfield neither confirms nor dismisses that claim, but he does not hide his pride. “We’re very proud of our Irish Coffee. It’s been our best-selling drink since the day it was first added to the menu. Last year alone, we served thirty-five thousand across our bars.” In London, Swift now has three locations: the original Soho venue, followed by Swift Shoreditch in 2020 and Swift Borough in 2022.
“It happens very often,” Bloomfield adds, “that tourists come to us specifically to try our Irish Coffee. We’re always happy to welcome them, and we see it as clear proof of the care and attention we put into every single drink.”
Images courtesy of Swift Bar
