Imagine sipping coffee laced with spirits while overlooking the beautiful St. Lawrence River. At Le Manoir Richelieu, a grand château-style Fairmont hotel in La Malbaie, Quebec, that moment arrived on the very first night of our vacation stay. After dinner, our server suggested we try a Café Richelieu—and we were immediately intrigued.
A Quebecois twist on Irish coffee, Café Richelieu features hot coffee spiked with a maple-infused whiskey called Sortilège Original, a local spirit that’s slightly lower in alcohol (30% ABV versus the usual 40%) and just sweet enough thanks to the touch of maple syrup. A splash of amaretto rounds it out with almond richness, and then—because we’re not amateurs—a generous dollop of whipped cream tops it all off. On our first night, it was finished with gold flecks. Yes, gold flecks.
While none of the others we had during the trip came with such a flourish, each was delicious in its own right. I tracked down a Fairmont recipe online, then made it my mission to bring a bottle of Sortilège home. Thankfully, the duty-free shop at the Quebec City airport came through. Once home, I upgraded my amaretto (a nod to our friend Lauren M, who keeps a large bottle of Disaronno stocked—it must be good as it celebrates 500 years this year), and the Café Richelieu was soon on the menu for a fall get-together with Elisabeth R, visiting from Seattle for our Franklin & Marshall College reunion.
If you can’t find Sortilège, there are maple whiskeys available in the U.S., or you can doctor your favorite whiskey with a spoonful of maple syrup. Just don’t skip the whipped cream—it’s the finishing touch that turns coffee into occasion.
For more on our vacation in the Charlevoix region of Quebec, check out my Mussels with Blue Cheese and Pancetta post.
Café Richelieu
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 ounces Canadian maple whiskey such as Sortilège Original
- 1/4 ounce amaretto such as Disaronno
- 8-10 ounces Hot coffee regular or decaffeinated
- Whipped cream
- Garnish with 2 coffee beans and/or gold flecks
Instructions
- Add Canadian maple whiskey, amaretto and coffee to an Irish Coffee mug or other mug and stir.
- Top with whipped cream and two coffee beans.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- Don’t have maple whiskey? Use regular whiskey instead and add a teaspoon (or to taste) of maple syrup.
Cannot wait to try this!
Lauren – Hopefully soon!
Yay, I’ve been waiting for this post. These were so delicious when I had them at your place! Now I have a great extra motivation to visit my friends up North — to source some Canadian maple whiskey.
Elisabeth – I’m so glad you liked this drink – it was great to be able to share it with you in person. Good luck on your search and do keep me posted.