For centuries, Irelands native spirit was illegal.

Now, a new generation of passionate distillers and bar owners are bringing it back in style.

Courtesy of Ban Poitin

I was drunk from the feet up, said Colm Oates, laughing.

Belfast Coffees

Glasses filled with Belfast Coffees.Credit:Courtesy of Bán Poitín

I tried to stand, but my legs didnt get the message.

But all that is about to change, because now after more than 350 years poitin is legal again.

Courtesy of The Garrick

Every great story begins in a bar.

A pub in Belfast

Exterior and the front bar of The Garrick in the city center of Belfast.Courtesy of The Garrick

Ultimately, we realized it needed a good delivery method.

Tequila took off because of the margarita, so we had to find poitins perfect cocktail.

That was our lightbulb moment.

A bartender making a Belfast Coffee

Mick at The Garrick grating nutmeg over their Belfast Coffee.Courtesy of The Garrick

All of a sudden, people were queuing up at the bar to order it.

The initial wariness around poitin (pronounced pot-sheen) was understandable.

Belfast is the only city in Ireland that will never be twee, said Mulligan.

A Bán Poitín label

The label on a bottle of Bán Poitín, produced at the Echlinville distillery.Courtesy of Bán Poitín

Just like poitin, it has a unique edge and character to it.

Now, true poitin can only be made on the island of Ireland.

Look, Im a realist.

A bottle of Potin and a Belfast Coffee

A bottle of Bán Poitín and a Belfast Coffee.Courtesy of Bán Poitín