This post may contain affiliate links. Please see ourfull Disclosure Policyfor details.
Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
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!
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.
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.
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
How to make homemade Irish cream
In a blender, combine the all of the ingredients and blend on high speed until combined, about 30 to 60 seconds.
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.
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
If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a 5 STAR RATING! If you really love it, leave us a comment and let us know – we appreciate all forms of feedback!
LET’S CONNECT!
Join in on the fun inour Facebook group!Feel free to share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, help out your fellow home cooks, and see what’s new with The Crumby Kitchen (so that you never miss a new recipe)! If you’d like to check it out, you can request to joinHERE.
Also, don’t forget to follow us onInstagramand tag #crumbykitchen so we can see all the wonderful recipes YOU recreate from this site!
ORDER OUR #1 BEST SELLER COOKBOOK!
You can also enjoy exclusive content before anyone else bysubscribing to our weekly newsletter– and you’ll never miss a delicious recipe again!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.