YumSugar

Meet the World's Largest Irish Coffee

partysugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:09:10 -0800

Earlier today, at 1 p.m. PST to be exact, history was made at the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco. Irish coffee making champion Frank Silletti, in conjecture with the staff of the Buena Vista, made the world's largest Irish coffee. I was there to witness them break the Guinness World Record.

To check out my firsthand account and a bunch of pictures from the event, read more.

It was a cool but clear sunny day in San Francisco, perfect for enjoying a coffee spiked with whiskey and topped with a thick, creamy head. The bar was packed with fans, old and young, waiting to watch as the oversize cup was hoisted onto the bar. The three-foot tall glass - that can hold up to 15 gallons - was blown specifically for the occasion. A case of Tullamore Dew filled the glass one-third full as the scent of whiskey permeated the air. A box of confectioner's sugar and countless pots of fresh-brewed, sustainably grown organic coffee was added to the gigantic glass as the crowd cheered in anticipation. Just-whipped heavy cream topped off the concoction to create the world's largest Irish coffee.

After the drink was made, the staff worked quickly to transfer the concoction to smaller glasses which they then passed out to everyone in attendance. The atmosphere was lively and the people friendly. Since the drink was created 56 years ago, the cafe estimates it has served 37,010,000 Irish coffees; that's roughly 2,000 a day. It's only natural that they hold the record for the world's largest drink.

It was very exciting to be a part of the bar's history.

Have you ever experienced a world record being broken? Do you enjoy Irish coffee?

View 33 Photos ›

National Irish Coffee Day

YumSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:11:19 -0800

Today is National Irish Coffee day, and if you've ever visited San Francisco, then you've probably stopped by the infamous Buena Vista - home of America's first Irish Coffee. It all started back in 1952 when then owner Jack Koeppler challenged travel writer Stanton Delaplane to help re-create the highly acclaimed coffee drink from the Shannon Airport in Ireland. After much experimentation and a short jaunt to Ireland, the pair eventually stumbled upon success and American experienced its first Irish Coffee.

So since today is National Irish Coffee Day, I'm hoping I'll be able to swing by and have one in celebration. However, I know that most of you won't be able to join me, so why not whip up an Irish Coffee at home? To view the recipe, read more

Irish Coffee
From The Buena Vista San Francisco

Fill glass with very hot water to pre-heat, then empty.
Pour hot coffee into hot glass until it is about three quarters full. Drop in two cocktail sugar cubes.
Stir until the sugar is thoroughly dissolved.
Add full jigger of Irish Whiskey for proper taste and body.
Top with a collar of lightly whipped cream, by pouring gently over a spoon.
Enjoy it while piping hot.

Photos from: The Buena Vista

View 6 Photos ›

Print recipe with images | without images

Noteworthy Nibbles - May 19-26, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:00:14 -0700

From the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience to St. Louis's Rib America Festival, take advantage of the three-day weekend with tons of events across the nation. Since I'm a huge fan of deep Southern cuisine, I'm dreaming of teleporting to Mudbug Madness, the Jambalaya Festival, and the Fredericksburg Crawfish Fest and Gumbo Cookoff. Crawfish season is definitely upon us!

What events will you be attending this week? Feel free to chime in below!

New York, NY: The Cuisine of Queens & Beyond - May 19
New Orleans, LA: New Orleans Wine & Food Experience - May 19-23
San Francisco, CA: SF Strawberry Week - May 19-24
New York, NY: Tel Aviv's 100th Anniversary Dinner - May 20
New York, NY: Taste of the Nation New York - May 20
San Francisco, CA: Boudin & Buena Vista Carneros Wine Dinner - May 21
Shreveport, LA: Mudbug Madness - May 21-24
Kodiak, AK: Kodiak Crab Festival - May 21-25
Fredericksburg, TX: Crawfish Festival & Gumbo Cookoff - May 22-23
Garden Grove, CA: Garden Grove Strawberry Festival - May 22-25
St. Louis, MO: Rib America Festival - May 22-25
Cleveland, OH: Marc's Great American Rib Cookoff & Music Festival - May 22-25

To see the rest, read more.

Durham, NC: Taste of Durham - May 23
Gonzales, LA: Jambalaya Festival - May 23
Simi Valley, CA: Cajun Creole Music Festival - May 23-24
Baltimore, MD: Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too! - May 23-24
Manheim, PA: Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest - May 23-24
Cincinnati, OH: Taste of Cincinnati - May 23-25
Albuquerque, NM: Albuquerque Wine Festival - May 23-25
Austin, TX: Austin Wine Festival - May 23-25
The Woodlands, TX: Wine & Food Week - May 26-31

Source