The Belfast Coffee
Poitín’s history is one entrenched in Irish folklore, mythology, and controversy. Often referred to as “mountain dew” or “Irish moonshine”, romanticised by the island’s great writers and poets, and celebrated in countless traditional folk songs; the spirit is an integral part of Irish culture. In simple terms, poitin is “the daddy of all whiskey”.
After failed attempts to collect tax from distillers, our native spirit was banned altogether in 1661. Centuries of persecution followed as the moonshiners continued to illegally distil. The Royal Irish Constabulary employed so-called 'Poitin Peelers' in the 1800s to clamp down on the moonshiners, who were forced to flee to the hills. It wasn't until 1997 that the spirit was legalised in the South, and as late as 2015 in the North.
Bán poitín is a modern, blended poitín distilled at The Echlinville Distillery in the Ards Peninsula. Locally harvested raw and malted barley, Irish grain and Comber Potatoes are fermented and distilled to create a poitín of balanced, complex character and full flavour. Its name is a double entendre -‘bán’ is Gaelic for white (as in white spirit), while ‘bán’ in English pays tribute to poitín’s illicit past.
The Belfast Coffee is the creation of Dave Mulligan, owner of Bán Poitín and Ireland's premier cocktail bar, Dublin's BAR 1661.
He and his team have taken Ireland’s most famous mixed drink and gave it their own unique twist. Bán Poitín, cold-brew coffee, demerara sugar, double cream and fresh nutmeg combine to create a drink distinct from Irish coffee while retaining its simplicity. Luxurious, rich, earthy and sweet, the Belfast Coffee soon became the house drink at BAR 1661; the pioneers of the poitín revival.
During a ‘research’ trip to BAR 1661, we came to understand the hype as we were blown away by the quality of the Belfast Coffees and Dave’s passion for all things poitín. Therefore, it was only right that The Garrick teamed up with BAR 1661 to serve delicious Belfast Coffees in its eponymous city, and to preach the power of poitín.