Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream) (2024)

This homemade Baileys recipe is the perfect addition to your morning coffee, delicious served over ice cream for dessert and perfect over ice for sipping.

Did you know it takes less than 5 minutes to make this Copycat Baileys Irish Cream at home (and the flavor is amazing)!

Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream) (1)

A bottle of DIY Irish Cream makes for easy and delicious Christmas gifts (although you’ll want to make a double batch to save some for yourself too)!

Start by pouring the Irish Cream into mason jars or glass bottles. Seal tightly and tie with a ribbon. Be sure you let the person know that they have to keep it in the fridge (and not under the tree).

Ingredients for Homemade Baileys

You need only 5 ingredients to make this homemade Baileys Irish cream.

Sweetened Condensed Milk thickens and sweetens the mixture.

Light Cream makes this creamy of course and helps balance out the sweetness of the condensed milk. You can use coconut milk or even heavy cream if it’s all you have (add a bit of milk to thin it out if needed).

Whiskey is the alcohol in this recipe. Of course, Irish whiskey (like Jameson) is ideal but really, there is no need for a fancy whiskey. An inexpensive brand works just as well (in a pinch you could even use vodka).

Flavor Instant coffee (or instant espresso) and pure vanilla extract add flavor. Some recipes add a touch of cocoa powder, almond extract, or chocolate syrup. We think this recipe is perfect as is.

To Make Irish Cream without Alcohol

Irish cream contains alcohol but this copycat Baileys recipe can be made without alcohol. Skip the whiskey and add a teaspoon or so of rum extract or whiskey extract. Brands can vary so add a little bit at a time until you reach the desired flavor!

Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream) (2)

How To Make Baileys

Irish cream is super easy to make, place all of the ingredients in a large bowl (per the recipe below) or pitcher and whisk to combine. Voila, homemade Baileys!

Storage

As long as your cream is fresh, homemade Baileys will last about 2 weeks in the fridge.

If giving this as a gift, leave a note to ensure your recipients refrigerate it.

Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream) (3)

Recipes to Spike with Irish Cream

Homemade Baileys can be served over ice or added to co*cktails or coffee. Poke some holes and drizzle a little over cakes or cupcakes.

  • Homemade Hot Chocolate
  • Baileys Brownies (with Bailey’s frosting)
  • Copycat Shamrock Shake
  • Pumpkin Spice Latte
  • Irish Coffee
  • Affogato (ice cream & espresso)
  • Homemade Eggnog

Did you love this Irish Cream Recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream) (4)

5 from 41 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream)

Baileys Irish Cream is creamy & flavorful with a bit of a kick. The best part is, this copycat recipe is ready in under 5 minutes!

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Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream) (6)

Servings 12 servings

Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream) (7)

Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients

  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces
  • 2 cups light cream or half and half
  • 1 cup whiskey
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in jar with a tight-fitting lid.

  • Shake to mix well. Chill at least 24 hours before serving.

  • Store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

Notes

This Irish cream can be made without alcohol. Skip the whiskey and add a teaspoon or so of rum or whiskey extract. While the flavor is slightly different, it's delicious!

This will keep in the fridge as long as the expiry date on your cream.

Serve over ice, in co*cktails, or in coffee.

5 from 41 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 215 | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 145mg | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 291IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream) (8) Course Beverage, Drink, Drinks

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

This easy recipe is inspired by versions in the McNab Family Cookbook, a little self-published cookbook. The book contains 3 homemade Irish Cream liqueur recipes in my little book with different ingredients (raw eggs, chocolate syrup, and rum). I combined the parts I liked best to create this delicious recipe.

Categories:

Beverages, Christmas, Recipes, St. Patricks Day

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Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream) (2024)

FAQs

Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade 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.

What are the ingredients in the original 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 bailey's Irish cream last? ›

Remember, you can typically store your homemade Irish cream in the refrigerator for up to two months. However, that's not to say that it will always last that long. Some recipes may last for just a few weeks to a month rather than a full two months.

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.

What ingredients do Baileys have? ›

  • Ingredients. Fresh Dairy Cream, Sugar, Alcohol, Maltodextrin, Milk Products, Cocoa extracts and flavours, Irish Whiskey, Colouring: 150b, Emulsifier: E471, Acidity regulator: E331.
  • Allergen Information. Contains Milk.
  • Allergy Information. Contains Dairy.

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

At its simplest, Irish cream contains Irish whiskey and cream, but many brands, including Baileys, add other flavorings like chocolate and vanilla.

Can I drink 10 year old Baileys? ›

The folks over at Baileys recommend that you consume it within 2 years of purchase. Notably, they say this is for “optimal freshness” and note that you should store it between 0-25°C (32-77°F) – and definitely keep it out of direct sunlight.

What is the main alcohol in Baileys? ›

Original Irish Cream blends Irish whiskey and spirits with Irish dairy cream and a touch of rich chocolate and vanilla flavours.

Why are Baileys so expensive? ›

Baileys is made from the very best of premium quality dairy cream, triple-distilled whiskey, and fine spirits. It takes about 220 million liters of fresh cream from 38,000 top-bred Irish dairy cows (Baileys Ladies) for the creation of baileys annually.

Should Baileys be refrigerated? ›

It's not essential to store cream liqueurs like Baileys the fridge if you haven't got any room, but it's preferable. However, the most important thing is to avoid higher temperatures and sunlight so anywhere cool and dark will do the job.

What's the difference between Baileys and Kahlúa? ›

Baileys and Kahlua both complement a freshly brewed cup of coffee, but there are distinct differences between the two liqueurs. Baileys is creamy and derives its taste from cream, cocoa, and Irish Whiskey. Kahlua is dark without the creaminess of Baileys and is made with 100 percent arabica coffee, rum, and sugar.

What is the warning about Baileys? ›

Experts at MyBuilder.com explained that emptying the creamy alcohol can wreck pipes underneath. The handy tradesmen said: "This sort of beverage should never be disposed of in this way. Cream liqueurs have a large fat content, and as such falls into the category of FOG (Fats, Oils, and Greases).

What is Baileys original content? ›

Baileys is made by Diageo at Nangor Road, in Dublin, Ireland and in Mallusk, Northern Ireland. It is the original Irish cream, invented by a team headed by Tom Jago in 1971 for Gilbeys of Ireland; Diageo currently owns the trademark. It has a declared alcohol content of 17% by volume.

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.

Is Baileys the original Irish cream dairy free? ›

Milk is a major part of the original Baileys recipe—the production of the drink requires a staggering 230 million liters of Irish whole milk every year. But dairy is not necessary to make Baileys Almande, nor are any other animal ingredients, as the drink is 100-percent vegan.

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