Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (2024)

Created On: &nbsp|Updated: | 3 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see ourfull Disclosure Policyfor details.

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

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.

Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (3)

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.
Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (5)

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)

If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a 5 STAR RATING! If you really love it, leave us a comment and let us know – we appreciate all forms of feedback!

LET’S CONNECT!

Join in on the fun inour Facebook group!Feel free to share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, help out your fellow home cooks, and see what’s new with The Crumby Kitchen (so that you never miss a new recipe)! If you’d like to check it out, you can request to joinHERE.

Also, don’t forget to follow us onInstagramand tag #crumbykitchen so we can see all the wonderful recipes YOU recreate from this site!

ORDER OUR #1 BEST SELLER COOKBOOK!

Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (7)

You can also enjoy exclusive content before anyone else bysubscribing to our weekly newsletter– and you’ll never miss a delicious recipe again!

Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (8)

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

Print Pin Rate Save

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

How long will homemade Baileys keep? ›

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 is Irish cream made of? ›

Irish cream is a rich liqueur made with Irish whiskey and cream. It can be served straight, on the rocks, or mixed into co*cktails. You can also use it as an ingredient in boozy, decadent desserts.

Should you shake Baileys before pouring? ›

Liquor: Baileys Irish Cream

It is normal to have sediment from the spices settle to the bottom of the bottle. Simply shake before pouring Big O to redistribute the spices. Your taste buds will thank you.

What is the emulsifier in Bailey's Irish cream? ›

Emulsifier: E471, Acidity regulator: E331.

Can you drink Baileys after 10 years? ›

How long does Baileys last? Baileys Original lasts 2 years from the day of bottling, opened or unopened when stored at the optimum temperature (0 to 25°C/32 to 77°F). For other Baileys products, shelf life varies depending on the flavour. See below for the full list.

What happens if you don't refrigerate Baileys 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 should you not mix with Baileys? ›

Baileys can be easily mixed with all manner of beverages to make a simple, creamy drink. The only rule is to avoid citrus or anything with a lot of citric acid, which makes it curdle. That means avoid juices and soda.

Why did my Baileys curdle in coffee? ›

Avoid Curdling: The pH level of coffee can cause curdling. A workaround is to use a lower-acidity coffee. Gently warming Baileys before adding it to coffee can also help prevent curdling.

Why can't i pour Baileys down the sink? ›

Cream liqueurs, such as Baileys, Amarula or Advocaat, have a high-fat content and fall into the category of F.O.G – fats, oils and grease. The liqueur can stick to the pipes and block the U bend under your sink, preventing liquid from passing through.

What are the side effects of Baileys Irish cream? ›

Liqueurs often have significant added sugar, which leads to empty calories, weight gain, dental issues, a risk of type 2 diabetes, and mental health effects from sugar highs and crashes. Consuming liqueurs regularly can also contribute to cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, and metabolic syndromes.

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 whiskey do Baileys use? ›

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.

How do you preserve Baileys? ›

When stored in the right conditions, an opened bottle can last for up to two years. The key to preserving Baileys quality after opening lies in storing it correctly. To maximize its time, store the opened bottle in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. A cupboard or liquor cabinet are ideal locations.

How to tell if Baileys Irish cream is bad? ›

Yes, Bailey's can go bad. It's a cream liqueur and as such can break down. You would see some curdling and it would taste sour, like milk gone bad.

Why does Baileys last so long? ›

The alcohol acts as a natural preservative for the product. Under normal conditions of storage Baileys has a shelf-life of 30 months. (source). The alcohol content is the sole preservative listed.

What alcohol is in Baileys? ›

One of life's most pleasurable indulgences, Baileys Original Irish Cream is the sweetest meeting of fine Irish whiskey and spirits, Irish dairy cream, rich chocolate and vanilla flavours.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Melvina Ondricka

Last Updated:

Views: 5800

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Melvina Ondricka

Birthday: 2000-12-23

Address: Suite 382 139 Shaniqua Locks, Paulaborough, UT 90498

Phone: +636383657021

Job: Dynamic Government Specialist

Hobby: Kite flying, Watching movies, Knitting, Model building, Reading, Wood carving, Paintball

Introduction: My name is Melvina Ondricka, I am a helpful, fancy, friendly, innocent, outstanding, courageous, thoughtful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.