The Nutty Irishman drink is a delicious after-dinner
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About this Nutty Irishman recipe
I love after-dinner drinks as the perfect way to unwind after a long, delicious meal. They allow you to relax, chat with your friends and savor the evening just a little longer.
Some of my favorites include the classic espresso martini or the decadent tiramisu martini. But the Nutty Irishman is my recent go-to choice for an after-dinner cocktail because of its rich, nutty flavor and thick, creamy texture. Plus, it’s simple to shake up!
Made with Irish cream liqueur, hazelnut liqueur, Irish whiskey and a hefty layer of boozy whipped cream, this decadent drink tastes like liquid Nutella.
The name is a nod to the nutty hazelnut liqueur and the two types of Irish booze in this
With the coffee, chocolate and vanilla notes of Irish cream paired with the nuttiness of hazelnut liqueur and the complexity of Irish whiskey, this cocktail packs a lot of flavor into every sip.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s so easy to make with just four ingredients.
- The creamy, rich flavor makes for a satisfying end to any meal.
- Dress it up with boozy whipped cream and a sprinkle of toasted hazelnuts to really impress your friends.
- Enjoy it any time of year, from the holiday season to St. Patrick’s Day to ending a dinner party with friends.
Ingredients & essentials
👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!
You only need four ingredients and a few cocktail-making essentials to make a Nutty Irishman, making this a simple cocktail to whip up any time.
Irish cream liqueur is one of ingredients that gives the Nutty Irishman its name. This creamy liqueur is made with notes of vanilla, chocolate, coffee, and Irish whiskey. Baileys is the most Baileys is perhaps the most ubiquitous brand of Irish cream here in the States, but there lots of other brands out there, including Carolan’s, Kerrygold and St. Brendan’s.
Use Baileys Almande, the dairy-free almond milk version of Irish cream liqueur, if you need a dairy-free option.
Irish whiskey is the other Irish component of this cocktail. is a type of whiskey that’s made in Ireland from unmalted barley and cereal grains. It is different than bourbon and scotch thanks to its country of origin, ingredients and distillation method.
If you have a favorite Irish whiskey, use that! The most popular Irish whiskey brands are Jameson, Bushmills and Tullamore Dew.
The “nutty” part of a Nutty Irishman comes from hazelnut liqueur. The most common brand of this sweet spirit (which falls into the cordials category) is Frangelico, which comes in a bottle shaped like a monk — complete with a rope belt.
Also used in the chocolate cake shot and the maple leaf cocktail, hazelnut liqueur is worth adding to your home bar for this cocktail alone. If you can’t find it, you could substitute another nutty liqueur like peanut butter whiskey.
The last component of a Nutty Irishman drink is whipped cream. For best results, make your own homemade whipped cream. It’s much creamier and thicker than store-bought whipped cream, and it doesn’t dissolve into the
If you want to kick things up a notch (I did), make a boozy whipped cream by stirring in a little Baileys or Frangelico into the mix for flavor.
As for tools, all you really need is a jigger, a cocktail shaker * with ice for mixing the drink, and a strainer for keeping the ice shards from falling into the drink when you pour it out.
If you’re making homemade whipped cream, then you’ll want a hand mixer or stand mixer *.
Don’t miss Irish Whiskey 101 where you can learn more about which bottles to buy.
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Instructions
The Nutty Irishman drink is a shaken cocktail. All of the ingredients except for the whipped cream are shaken with ice, then strained into a rocks glass. The cocktail is finished with the whipped cream before serving.
Get out a cocktail shaker * and fill it with ice. Pour in the Irish cream, hazelnut liqueur and Irish whiskey. Then shake it up well and strain it into a rocks glass *.
Next, spoon whipped cream over top. You want a nice, thick layer. If desired, sprinkle on a layer of toasted, chopped hazelnuts for a fragrant garnish.
Make-ahead tip! If you plan to make several Nutty Irishman drinks, you can whip the cream ahead of time and keep it stored in the refrigerator. If needed, use a milk frother to revive the whipped cream just before adding it to the cocktail.
Tips & tricks
- If you are making your own whipped cream, chill the bowl and mixer beaters in the freezer first and use cold heavy cream. This will help your cream whip better!
- Shake the drink really well. The creamy elements will thicken slightly, making for a luscious texture.
- Turn this drink into shots, also called a Nutty Irishman Shooter, by mixing equal parts hazelnut liqueur and Irish cream. The Irish cream liqueur is poured over a bar spoon * to make a float — similar to the Baby Guinness Shot.
Optional garnish
Totally optional, but a sprinkling of toasted, chopped hazelnuts give this cocktail a beautiful finish. They also bring an extra nutty aroma to the cocktail, as the hazelnuts will be right under your nose as you take a sip.
To toast hazelnuts, carefully chop them with a sharp knife into small pieces and place them on a tray. Toast for about 5 minutes on low in the toaster oven. Remove immediately.
Serving suggestions
Rocks glasses * are the typical glassware used for the Nutty Irishman. Also known as old-fashioned glasses * and lowball glasses, they are short, tumbler-style glasses for serving spirits.
If you don’t have a rocks glass *, you can use any kind of short tumbler or a stemless wine glass. A martini glass or coupe glass * also works well for any dessert
There are lots of great Irish treats to try with the Nutty Irishman, especially if you’re making this drink for St. Patrick’s Day.
It’s the perfect
favorite rocks glasses
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FAQ
Yes! For a dairy-free version, use Baileys Almande or another dairy-free Irish cream liqueur, and top the cocktail with coconut whipped cream.
Kahlúa is a coffee-based liqueur made with rum, while Irish cream is made with whiskey. While Irish cream has some coffee notes, the coffee flavor is not as strong as it is in Kahlúa. For a true Nutty Irishman, you should use Irish cream liqueur.
The Nutty Irishman contains flavors of chocolate, coffee and vanilla thanks to the Irish cream liqueur. It also has a nuttiness from hazelnut liqueur and a complex sweetness from Irish whiskey. The creaminess of the cocktail comes from the Irish cream and a thick layer of whipped cream on top.
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Nutty Irishman
ingredients
- 2 ounces Irish cream liqueur
- 2 ounces hazelnut liqueur
- 2 ounces Irish whiskey
- ¼ cup whipped cream or Irish cream whipped cream
- 1 teaspoon chopped toasted hazelnuts for garnish
instructions
- To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add Irish cream liqueur, hazelnut liqueur and Irish whiskey. Shake well.2 ounces Irish cream liqueur, 2 ounces hazelnut liqueur, 2 ounces Irish whiskey
- Strain into a rocks glass.
- Spoon whipped cream over top to the rim of the glass.¼ cup whipped cream
- Sprinkle toasted hazelnuts on top.1 teaspoon chopped toasted hazelnuts
notes
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