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 42 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 42 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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Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream) (2024)

FAQs

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.

What is the base liquor in Baileys Irish Cream? ›

Baileys Irish Cream is an Irish cream liqueur made of cream, cocoa and Irish whiskey emulsified together with vegetable oil.

How long will homemade Baileys keep? ›

If stored in an air-tight container, homemade Baileys can last up to 2 months in the fridge. The alcohol helps preserve it, but always sniff the mixture first to make sure it hasn't gone off (trust me, you'll know if the half and half has gone sour).

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.

Can I drink 10 year old Baileys? ›

Can you drink 10-year-old Baileys? If it looks okay and it tastes okay it should be safe to drink. We had some that curdled and solidified in the bottle and even after I managed to get it out it didn't taste very good.

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.

Why is Baileys Irish Cream 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.

What's the difference between Baileys and Kahlua? ›

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.

Should Baileys be refrigerated? ›

Whether or not it has been opened, a bottle of Baileys lasts for two years. It's best to keep the bottle of Baileys away from direct sunlight, per The Rusty Spoon, because temperatures over 77 degrees F can change its consistency. Even though Baileys doesn't need to be refrigerated, it will eventually go bad.

Does homemade Baileys go bad? ›

As a general rule of thumb, you can store your freshly made Irish cream for up to two months in the refrigerator. Of course, to make sure that you're not drinking a liqueur that's going to potentially make you sick, there's a little more to know about proper storage.

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.

Should you keep Baileys in fridge after opening? ›

Does an unopened bottle of Baileys go bad? As long as the bottle is unopened (the seal isn't broken), the drink remains perfect. After opening the bottle, it's suggested to refrigerate it to better preserve the liqueur. Of course the bottle should be always sealed tightly when not in use.

Is Costco Irish cream same as Baileys? ›

"We always have this in the house for Sunday morning coffees," Michaeleen added. Purists, however, were quick to point out one major difference in the comments. Costco's store brand has 13.9% alcohol content by volume. Baileys, on the other hand, has 17%.

What is a cheaper version of Baileys? ›

Great Value: Lidl Deluxe Irish Cream – 75%

Taking the second spot is Lidl's Irish Cream Liqueur, which offers "great value". Which? said: "It's only one percentage point behind our top scorer, and at almost half the price it's a bargain too.

What does Baileys not mix with? ›

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.

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.

How much sugar is in Baileys Original Irish Cream? ›

Nutrition Facts
Calories 147(616 kJ)
Sugars9 g
Protein1.4 g
Alcohol6 g
Caffeine0 mg
7 more rows

What is the difference between Baileys original and Baileys Light? ›

Baileys Deliciously Light Cream Liqueur

If you're a fan of the original Baileys recipe, then you'll be happy to hear that the new product has 94 calories per 50ml serve, and boasts 40% less calories than a 50ml serving of Baileys Original, without compromising on taste and texture.

Does Baileys Original contain dairy? ›

While Baileys does contain dairy, it is worth noting that the lactose content is relatively low. However, it is always advisable to check with a healthcare professional or read the product labels if you have lactose intolerance or any other dairy-related allergies or sensitivities.

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