IRISH COFFEE

Here is a variation on the drink made famous at San Francisco's Buena Vista Cafe, where it is a tradition on foggy evenings.

1/2 cup chilled heavy cream
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons Irish whiskey
9 tablespoons firmly packed golden brown sugar
6 cups hot, freshly brewed strong coffee
1 oz (30 g) semisweet chocolate, shaved

In a bowl, whisk the cream until slightly thickened. In each warmed cup, stir together 3 tablespoons of the whiskey and 1 1/2 tablespoons of the sugar. Divide the coffee among the cups and stir to dissolve the sugar. Top each serving with the lightly whipped cream. Sprinkle with the chocolate shavings and serve at once.

Serves 6.

[After Dinner, Williams-Sonoma Lifestyles Series]