Homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream
Homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur, anyone? This copycat version only takes a few minutes to make, is perfect for gifting, and is easily customized to suit your taste buds. Yes, please! 😋
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or any other holiday celebration, keeping your spirits high is key. Of course, you have nothing to worry about when you have this creamy liquor on hand. And making this simple, sweet, and sensational drink at home is a breeze.
Let me just say that everyone who has tasted this homemade version prefers it to store-bought Bailey’s Irish Cream. AND you can customize it to suit you and your guests! So, I am going to keep this short and sweet because it’s time to celebrate, my friend! 😉
Content…Customizing Your DIY Bailey’s Irish Cream |
Customizing Your DIY Bailey’s Irish Cream
I have adapted the flavor to suit my taste buds. By all means do the same. You can spice it up with nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice, or you can jazz it up with almond or mint extract. I’ve included my recommended amounts for these optional ingredients, but you can use more or less as you see fit.
As for the alcohol, I tried Jameson Irish whiskey first, but any brand will do. I’ve even tried it with locally available whiskeys, like Jack Daniels or a Kentucky bourbon. Eventually, I found that I prefer it with rum (not authentic, but delicious).
That said, with so many other flavors added to the mix, any old whiskey will do. So, unless you’re a die-hard whiskey enthusiast, you can go for the cheaper variety without noticing a substantial difference.
Then there’s consumption. You can drink it on its own, over ice, spike your hot coffee or hot chocolate, or any other way you love to use your Irish cream. Do you see how super versatile it is?
Coffee in Homemade Bailey’s?
For me, the instant coffee in this recipe adds a special touch to the overall flavor. However, a lot of home cooks have asked me if they really need to add it. If you don’t have any or don’t like instant coffee, by all means, leave it out. This stuff will still be delish.
If you are worried about caffeine, you can always use decaf instant coffee instead. And if the problem is that you are a real coffee snob (no judgment here!), then yes, add a teaspoon or two of freshly brewed espresso to the mix. But please note that the end product will be just a tad thinner.
Recipe Ingredients
- Dairy – You’ll need both heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk for this ultra-creamy drink.
- Liquor – Whiskey or rum works well in this boozy cream drink. Go with Jameson whiskey for an authentic Irish flavor.
- Instant Coffee – Instant coffee creates a delightfully layered flavor profile in this cream. If you are worried about caffeine, though, you can leave it out.
- Chocolate Syrup – Just a hint of rich chocolate flavor is all you need to perfect this drink.
- Extracts – Vanilla extract enhances each flavor, and almond extract delivers subtle, nutty notes for an elegant liqueur vibe.
- Optional Ingredients – If you want to mix it up a bit, add some or all of the following ingredients: mint extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
How to Make Homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream
- Combine all the ingredients in your blender.
- Blend on high speed for about a minute.
- Serve the blended cream over ice or pour it into a bottle with a sealable lid.
- Store – Keep it refrigerated for up to two months. (PSA: It’s never going to last that long! 😜) Or freeze it for even longer and have it ice cold over ice cream. The alcohol should keep it from freezing solid for a delicious slushy.
More Delectable Holiday Drinks
Happy Holidays!!!!!
By Imma
Watch How to Make It
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This blog post was originally published in December 2016 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video
Homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- ¾ cup (180ml) Irish whiskey (any whiskey or rum)
- 1 teaspoon (1-2g) instant coffee granules
- 2 tablespoons (40g) chocolate syrup
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon (2-3ml) almond extract
Optional Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) mint extract
- 1 teaspoon (2-3g) pumpkin spice (½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon allspice; adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed for about a minute.
- Serve on ice or store in a sealed glass bottle and refrigerate. It will keep for 2 months in the fridge.
Tips & Notes:
- The alcohol acts as a preservative. It should last for two months refrigerated and frozen for 3-6 months
- Add 2 tablespoons to coffee as a delicious creamer or ¼ cup to hot chocolate for an adult version
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe
What is chocolate syrup?
Hi, Toyo. You can check out Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup in squeezable bottles.
I have made this with brandy before. I lost my previous recipe, was absolutely delicious. Fit to make it again.
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback!
Please what is mint extract is it the natural mint leaf? And also what kind of milk should I use for it? Lastly am I to mix vanilla extract together with other extract?
Yes, mint extract is made out of mint leaf. For this recipe you use whole fresh milk- I think canned milk would work also.
In response to your other question, yes you mix all the extract together. You really don’t have to use mint for this recipe – it’s optional
I’m excited to try a few of your traditional Christmas recipes. Thank you for posting on line so that those of us who don’t know of your traditions can incorporate into our traditions! Best wishes to you, and yours
Thank you so much! Best wishes to you too 🙂
Hello, goodday. Can I have ur Instagram handle? Wanna.follownu.on IG. Thanks.
@immaculatebites. Thanks!
If you use the mint extract donyou leave out one of the other flavors? Or add the mint with the almond and vanilla?
You would leave out the almond. Just add the vanilla and mint.
Do u have a recipe for none dairy or dairy free
Sorry we don’t have one at the moment.
I never tried Bailey’s Irish Cream, nor can I get it in my country, but it sounds like something my sister would really like. Sweet and boozy!
I on the other hand don’t really like a strong liquor taste, most tiramisù is already too boozy for me (I feel like a party pooper but it’s my tastebuds not me…).
Good thing I can suit this recipe to my teatotallish needs!
Am just like you . Can’t handle alcohol well. So I go easy on it – when am making it for myself.
Yis!! Rum FTW 🙂
I’ve just boiled up my tin milk for extra caramely naughties, looking forward to tasting it
You sure now how to kick it up a notch. Do let me know how it works out for you.
I’m a total glut! Haha it was so thick like pudding as I prob over whizzed it getting me caramels to blend in lol but omg it’s so tasty! You so reserved with that wee smidgen of rum 😉
I tried this with wray and nephew Jamaican rum. Still trying to pick myself off the floor.
Thank you.
My Pleasure! Happy New Year!!!
hello, please may i know where i can get all these ingredients in Nigeria. you are doing a good job. thumbs up.
Sorry . Don’t have any suggestions . Maybe someone would. Your best bet is to ask around – starting with the Largest supermarket around your neighborhood.
You can get it from spar/ shoprite/ next or any big Grocery shops in any of the cities in Nigeria
hi immaculate.so for a those of us who take absolutely no alcohol. is der some slight alterations for us. thanks for sharing btw
Hi Harriet, I would make it using rum or any alcohol extract.
Hi imma, can i use any rum? Jameson whisky is quite expensive here in Canada.
Yes, you sure can.That is what I used in this recipe-I prefer rum.
thanks for the quick reply. love your work especially the African dishes.
thanks for the quick reply. love your work especially yhe African dishes.
Hi Immaculate. I am a little confused.is Bailey’s part of the ingredients. the bullet point before
(Baileys Irish Cream – Adapted from All Recipes )
seems like I shd get the recipe from all recipes then add the rest of the ingredients.
Naa, sorry for the confusion….You do not need baileys cream. All you do is add all the ingredients listed then blend. Hopes this sheds some clarity.
I took this to a thanksgiving dinner and it was gone before you know it. Thanks for the recipe.