Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (2024)

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This quick and easy homemade Irish cream recipe is the one you’ve been looking for! You’ll never have to buy a bottle at the liquor store again when all it takes is 5 minutes and 6 ingredients to make the perfect copycat version of your favorite silky-smooth Irish cream liqueur!

Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (1)

DIYing your own homemade Irish cream recipe is really too hard to pass up.

Six ingredients? That you probably already have on hand?

This recipe is absolutely delicious! I’m always so happy with the results of a copycat recipe, and I promise you will be too once you whip up a batch or three.

This page includes step by step instructions, as well as tips and notes. If you’d like to skip all that, feel free to scroll down to the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (2)

What is Irish cream?

Irish cream is a cream-based liqueur that can be enjoyed on its own, or mixed in co*cktails, coffee, or used in desserts. Typically made with Irish whiskey, the drink is lightly sweetened and also contains hints of coffee, chocolate, and vanilla flavors.

It has been made popular mostly in the form of Baileys Irish Cream, a well known store-bought brand. I’m a big fan of all of their flavors, and I use it a lot in baking, so our liquor cabinet is never without a bottle.

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Ingredients

Your homemade Baileys will blow that 2-year shelf life stuff out of the water. Plus, it’s ridiculously quick and easy to make. You don’t even need any special blender or strainer – a bowl and a whisk will do the job as well as any high-powered small kitchen appliance.

  • Sweetened condensed milk – keep a few extra cans of this on hands for whim recipes like this.
  • Irish whiskey – it IS boozy, after all.
  • Heavy cream
  • Instant coffee
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Vanilla extract
Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (4)

How to make homemade Irish cream

  1. In a blender, combine the all of the ingredients and blend on high speed until combined, about 30 to 60 seconds.
  2. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container or glass bottle. Store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2 months. Shake well before using and serve chilled over ice or splashed in your morning coffee.
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The best ways to use homemade Irish cream

So what will you do with your homemade Irish cream? Aside from sipping it as a dessert co*cktail with a little ice or using it in an Irish coffee, of course!?

It adds a nice kick to festive co*cktails like my mint chocolate Guinness float, and jazzes up a creamy espresso martini or Baileys Grasshopper, as well. As far as baking, you can add it to just about anything from cupcakes to lava cake to truffles. It’s the star in this Irish Cream Coffee Mud Pie.

Even more delicious Irish recipes to enjoy!

  • The Best Slow Cooker Irish Guinness Beef Stew
  • Easy Irish Soda Bread with Caraway
  • Small Batch Irish Coffee Cupcakes
  • Dublin Coddle: Classic Irish Stew
Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (6)

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Homemade Irish Cream

This quick and easy homemade Irish cream recipe is the one you’ve been looking for! You’ll never have to buy a bottle at the liquor store again when all it takes is 5 minutes and 6 ingredients to make the perfect copycat version of your favorite silky-smooth Irish cream liqueur!

4.55 from 57 votes

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Course: co*cktail, Ingredient

Cuisine: Irish

Keyword: homemade irish cream

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 364kcal

Author: Erica

Ingredients

  • 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cups Irish whiskey
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 ½ teaspoons instant coffee
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In a blender, combine the all of the ingredients and blend on high speed until combined, 30-60 seconds.

  • Transfer mixture to an airtight container or glass bottle. Store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2 months. Shake well before using and serve chilled over ice or splashed in your morning coffee.

Nutrition

Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 82mg | Potassium: 237mg | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 580IU | Vitamin C: 1.6mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Did You Make This Recipe?Snap a pic, post it, and mention @CrumbyKitchen or tag #crumbykitchen for some Instagram love!

Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the main ingredients in Baileys Irish Cream? ›

Original Irish Cream blends Irish whiskey and spirits with Irish dairy cream and a touch of rich chocolate and vanilla flavours. Pour over ice cream, mix into coffee, or enjoy it with ice for an originally delish Baileys moment.

How long does homemade Irish cream last? ›

Now, you'll notice that this homemade drink contains dairy. This means that once you've made it, proper storage is key or you won't get to keep enjoying the drink for long. As a general rule of thumb, you can store your freshly made Irish cream for up to two months in the refrigerator.

What's the difference between Baileys and Irish cream? ›

The verdict

That being said, Kirkland's Irish cream lacked the hint of cocoa for which Baileys is known and loved. Baileys also boasts a more whiskey-forward flavor that may be preferred by fans of the brown spirit.

What can I use instead of Irish cream? ›

However a combination of whiskey and cream should give a close alternative to the liqueur.

Can I drink 10 year old Baileys? ›

Bailey's says its product has a shelf life of two years. The problem with an older bottle would be the fat in the cream going rancid. The easiest way to find out us not to open the lid and smell it and if you are not retching thrn try and pour some out.

Does Baileys need refrigerated after opening? ›

Manufacturers of cream liqueurs point to the effective preservative qualities of alcohol as the reason that refrigeration is not required. Baileys™ guarantees it's product for 2 years from the date of manufacture, opened or unopened, and suggests a storage temperature range of 0-25˚Celsius.

What whiskey is used for Baileys? ›

Gluckman told Irish Central that, after getting the call from the IDV, he and Seymour-Davies went to the nearest grocery store and purchased Jameson Irish Whiskey, Cadbury's Powdered Drinking Chocolate, and cream. They mixed it up in a cleaned-out Schweppes bottle, and the rudimentary recipe for Baileys was born.

Do you have to keep homemade Baileys in the fridge? ›

Transfer mixture to an airtight container or glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

Why did my homemade Irish cream curdle? ›

One problem that we face when creating Baileys Irish cream at home is when it curdles. This sometimes occurs due to the mixture of alcohol (Irish whiskey) and cream. The trick here is to pour in the whiskey very slowly and be sure to use cold cream instead of milk.

What is a cheaper version of Baileys? ›

Saint Brendan's Irish Cream

It's a great substitute when you want something more budget-friendly than Baileys, but still retains the liqueur's desired chocolaty notes and creamy body.

Can Baileys get you drunk? ›

Indeed you can. It is about 17% ethanol by volume, so is about the same strength as a reasonably strong wine. It is lovely with equal measures of brandy, (my fave), or Jamieson's (my mate's fave). Of course you can drunk from consuming too much Bailey's Irish.

What is a brandy and Baileys drink called? ›

B&B is a classic co*cktail that combines the rich, creamy flavors of Bailey's Irish Cream with the robust and bold taste of brandy. This decadent drink originated in the 1970s ... more. This decadent drink originated in the 1970s as a nod to the popular brandy and Benedictine co*cktail known as the B&B.

What is in Aldi Irish cream? ›

Specifications
IngredientsContains 25% Cream 3% Irish Whiskey
ABV%17
Legal nameIrish Cream Liqueur A blend of spirit and fresh dairy cream with Irish Whiskey.
Brand nameSpecially Selected
ManufacturerSpecially Produced for Aldi Stores Ltd., PO Box 26, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 2SH
6 more rows

Why is Irish cream so good? ›

For several reasons, Baileys Irish Cream is regarded as a quality liqueur. The fusion of Irish whiskey, cream, and cocoa flavour contributes to its distinct and creamy taste. These components work together to produce a smooth, decadent flavour that many people find appealing. Its adaptability is another justification.

What flavor goes best with Irish cream? ›

Oftentimes, Irish cream is combined with Kahlua, Irish coffee, hot chocolate, or White Russian drinks. Some use Irish cream in coffee or to flavor sweet treats and desserts as well.

What is the composition of Baileys? ›

They are kept happy due to being fed on four specific varieties of grass, after all, and to quote Baileys, "they don't call Ireland the Emerald Isle for nothing." Cream makes up half of every bottle. Other ingredients include triple distilled pot-still Irish whiskey, neutral spirit, vanilla, cocoa and sugar.

Do Baileys contain sugar? ›

The drink with the highest concentration of sugar was Baileys Irish Cream, which was found to contain 19.5g of the ingredient – around five teaspoons – per 100ml. This amounts to 5g – slightly more than one teaspoon – of sugar per 25ml measure. A sherry contained the second highest concentration of sugar.

Why is Baileys Irish Cream so good? ›

Fresh dairy cream that has been carefully sourced to assure its quality is used to make the cream. The taste of Baileys is velvety and chocolate-like because of the inclusion of cocoa. High-quality cocoa is used in Baileys to deepen the flavour and balance the whiskey's distinctiveness with the cream's sweetness.

What is the highest alcohol content in Baileys? ›

Alcohol: 17% vol. Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, please consume in moderation.

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