How to Make an Irish Coffee Happy St. Patrick's Day! How about an Irish coffee? Hey, it's chilly outside so let's make one. But first, this fascinating history of the classic Irish coffee. The roots and creation of this concoction can be traced back to a gentleman named Joe Sheridan who was a chef at an airstrip just outside of Limerick, Ireland. According to Weaver's Coffee, one cold evening a flight had to return to the airbase. Joe, feeling sorry for the weary passengers, decided to warm them with something he's been working on. The passengers loved this Irish coffee and the rest is history. It became a staple at the airport and after the war, the drink was introduced to the United States.