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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Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream) (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in Baileys Irish Cream? ›

Baileys Irish Cream is an Irish cream liqueur made of cream, cocoa and Irish whiskey emulsified together with vegetable oil. Baileys is made by Diageo at Nangor Road, in Dublin, Ireland and in Mallusk, Northern Ireland.

What gives Baileys Irish cream its flavor? ›

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.

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.

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 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.

Why is Baileys Irish Cream so good? ›

Fresh dairy cream that has been carefully sourced to assure its quality is used to make the cream. The taste of Baileys is velvety and chocolate-like because of the inclusion of cocoa. High-quality cocoa is used in Baileys to deepen the flavour and balance the whiskey's distinctiveness with the cream's sweetness.

Does Baileys have caffeine in it? ›

If so, you'll be pleased to learn that yes - Baileys does contain a minute amount of caffeine! Though it's not something many people tend to think about, having an understanding of what ingredients are in your favorite alcoholic beverage can help keep you safe and informed when enjoying it.

Can I drink 10 year old Baileys? ›

Does Bailey's Irish Cream go bad or expire? 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 Baileys need refrigeration? ›

Storing - Homemade Baileys Irish Cream can be stored in sterilised jars for up to 2 months unopened in the fridge.

How to tell if Bailey's 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.

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? ›

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 happens when you mix Baileys with co*ke? ›

Cream liqueurs are also delicious served alone on the rocks. The carbondioxide in the cola will react with the cream in the baileys, this results in the cream solidifying in your stomach which can suffocate you in high quantities.

What category of alcohol is Baileys? ›

Baileys has been a pioneer in the cream liqueur category since it was created in 1974 and proudly leads it to this day.

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