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 40 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 40 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

Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream) (9) Cuisine American, Irish

© 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? ›

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.

How do they make Baileys? ›

The cream is combined with aged whiskey from some of Ireland's best distilleries along with luxurious vanilla pods and rich cocoa beans for the exclusive chocolate taste of Baileys. The making of Baileys follows the same process as making ice cream, with no artificial preservatives added to the formula.

What is the best substitute for Baileys Irish Cream? ›

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.

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 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.

Can I drink 10 year old Baileys? ›

First off, let's get straight to the point: Baileys has a shelf life. 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.

How to tell if Bailey's Irish cream is bad? ›

Generally as long as you don't subject it to temperature extremes it will last well beyond the official 2 year "best taste before" date. Over time the taste will change and the liquid tends to go a bit darker but only really noticeable if you do a side by side comparison.

Does homemade Irish cream need to be refrigerated? ›

How to Store Irish Cream. Store the Irish cream in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two months.

How to make Baileys in home? ›

Start with Jameson whiskey (or your favorite brand of Irish whiskey), then throw in some cream, sweetened condensed milk, instant coffee, chocolate syrup and vanilla and give it a whir in the blender for a few minutes until blended and creamy. Funnel it into pretty bottles and refrigerate for up to 2 months!

What is the main alcohol in Baileys? ›

This is where it all began! 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.

Which whiskey is used in 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.

Is Kahlua the same as Baileys? ›

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.

Why not mix Baileys with citrus? ›

The acidic lime juice causes the cream-based Baileys to curdle. The curdled Baileys does not taste sour, but it does rapidly gain viscosity and stick to the drinker's teeth, reminiscent of cement.

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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