Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (2024)

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This quick and easy homemade Irish cream recipe is the one you’ve been looking for! You’ll never have to buy a bottle at the liquor store again when all it takes is 5 minutes and 6 ingredients to make the perfect copycat version of your favorite silky-smooth Irish cream liqueur!

Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (1)

DIYing your own homemade Irish cream recipe is really too hard to pass up.

Six ingredients? That you probably already have on hand?

This recipe is absolutely delicious! I’m always so happy with the results of a copycat recipe, and I promise you will be too once you whip up a batch or three.

This page includes step by step instructions, as well as tips and notes. If you’d like to skip all that, feel free to scroll down to the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (2)

What is Irish cream?

Irish cream is a cream-based liqueur that can be enjoyed on its own, or mixed in co*cktails, coffee, or used in desserts. Typically made with Irish whiskey, the drink is lightly sweetened and also contains hints of coffee, chocolate, and vanilla flavors.

It has been made popular mostly in the form of Baileys Irish Cream, a well known store-bought brand. I’m a big fan of all of their flavors, and I use it a lot in baking, so our liquor cabinet is never without a bottle.

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Ingredients

Your homemade Baileys will blow that 2-year shelf life stuff out of the water. Plus, it’s ridiculously quick and easy to make. You don’t even need any special blender or strainer – a bowl and a whisk will do the job as well as any high-powered small kitchen appliance.

  • Sweetened condensed milk – keep a few extra cans of this on hands for whim recipes like this.
  • Irish whiskey – it IS boozy, after all.
  • Heavy cream
  • Instant coffee
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Vanilla extract
Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (4)

How to make homemade Irish cream

  1. In a blender, combine the all of the ingredients and blend on high speed until combined, about 30 to 60 seconds.
  2. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container or glass bottle. Store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2 months. Shake well before using and serve chilled over ice or splashed in your morning coffee.
Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (5)

The best ways to use homemade Irish cream

So what will you do with your homemade Irish cream? Aside from sipping it as a dessert co*cktail with a little ice or using it in an Irish coffee, of course!?

It adds a nice kick to festive co*cktails like my mint chocolate Guinness float, and jazzes up a creamy espresso martini or Baileys Grasshopper, as well. As far as baking, you can add it to just about anything from cupcakes to lava cake to truffles. It’s the star in this Irish Cream Coffee Mud Pie.

Even more delicious Irish recipes to enjoy!

  • The Best Slow Cooker Irish Guinness Beef Stew
  • Easy Irish Soda Bread with Caraway
  • Small Batch Irish Coffee Cupcakes
  • Dublin Coddle: Classic Irish Stew
Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (6)

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Homemade Irish Cream

This quick and easy homemade Irish cream recipe is the one you’ve been looking for! You’ll never have to buy a bottle at the liquor store again when all it takes is 5 minutes and 6 ingredients to make the perfect copycat version of your favorite silky-smooth Irish cream liqueur!

4.55 from 57 votes

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Course: co*cktail, Ingredient

Cuisine: Irish

Keyword: homemade irish cream

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 364kcal

Author: Erica

Ingredients

  • 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cups Irish whiskey
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 ½ teaspoons instant coffee
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In a blender, combine the all of the ingredients and blend on high speed until combined, 30-60 seconds.

  • Transfer mixture to an airtight container or glass bottle. Store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2 months. Shake well before using and serve chilled over ice or splashed in your morning coffee.

Nutrition

Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 82mg | Potassium: 237mg | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 580IU | Vitamin C: 1.6mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Did You Make This Recipe?Snap a pic, post it, and mention @CrumbyKitchen or tag #crumbykitchen for some Instagram love!

Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you drink Baileys 3 years out of date? ›

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.

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 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.

How long will homemade Irish cream last in the refrigerator? ›

Safely Storing Your Homemade Irish Cream

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.

Can you drink 20 year old Baileys? ›

Bailey's says its product has a shelf life of two years. The problem with an older bottle would be the fat in the cream going rancid.

Can I drink 10 year old Baileys Irish Cream liqueur? ›

Baileys™ has a best before date on the left hand side of the back label (two years from date of manufacture). Other manufacturers, such as Carolan's™ may have different recommendations. They suggest a shelf-life of six months after opening, and recommend storage in the refrigerator once the product is opened.

What not to mix with Irish cream? ›

The key thing to remember when experimenting with Molly's Irish Cream drinks recipes is that cream liquors do not mix well with citrus based ingredients.

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.

What happens when you mix Baileys with co*ke? ›

Cream liqueurs curdle because of their high dairy content. Dairy products (such as milk or cream) curdle in the presence of an acidic liquid. Acids have a very low pH, which lowers the overall pH of the mixture. As the pH drops below 5.5, the casein proteins in the dairy ingredients begin to curdle.

What is the best thing to mix with Baileys? ›

Baileys and vodka go so well together, and Baileys and coffee is already a classic mix! It's so simple to make at home. In just three easy steps, you'll have a show-stopping co*cktail that'll treat your friends – or why not add a touch of decadence to your group's movie night?

Is there any caffeine in Baileys? ›

If you are talking about a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream, the miniscule amount of caffeine is wiped out by the alcohol.

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.

Why did my homemade Irish cream curdle? ›

Recipe Tip

Avoid curdling – I did some research as to ensure a life free of curdling and it's all about adding the alcohol slowly and being sure to use heavy cream. Alcohol is an acid so making irish cream with, say, whole milk will definitely break the milk, which could result in some serious coagulation.

Can homemade Irish cream be frozen? ›

Keeps well in the refrigerator for about 2-4 weeks. Swing-top glass bottles are great for storing and gifting this Irish cream. Homemade Bailey's can also be kept in an airtight and leakproof jar in the freezer. Shake well after freezing.

How does Irish cream not go bad? ›

One of the keys to achieving this 2 year shelf-life is in our patented process of blending of fresh Irish cream with the spirits and the whiskey without the use of preservatives. The alcohol acts as a natural preservative for the product. Under normal conditions of storage Baileys has a shelf-life of 30 months.

Can you drink Baileys 4 years out of date? ›

According to Fitbility.com, you should try and consume your Baileys before the expiration date. However, it can last longer than its expiration date if stored properly but the quality isn't guaranteed. You'll need to check the look, smell and taste of the product.

How long is Baileys good after expiration date? ›

According to A Spectacled Owl, you can still drink Baileys as it should be okay for a few weeks or months. However, the taste may not be up to par. However, if it's curdled then we don't recommend drinking it.

How do you tell if Baileys is expired? ›

The more exposure it has to sunlight, air, and temperature fluctuations, the faster its quality will decline. For best results, store Baileys in a cool and dark place, such as the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You'll know Baileys has gone bad if it emits a sour smell and/or has coagulated or separated.

Does Bailey's Irish Cream need to be refrigerated? ›

There's really no need to refrigerate opened Baileys (other Irish creams may vary) as the product is stable within the temperature ranges stated on the packaging. 0–25 Celsius (32–77 Fahrenheit) However many consumers prefer it cooled so there is no problem keeping it in the fridge.

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