Homemade Baileys Irish Cream Recipe (video recipe)
Rich, creamy and luxurious this homemade Baileys Irish cream is the perfect comfort drink any time of the year. Especially, when it’s cold and rainy. Made with condensed milk, whipping cream, coffee and a splash of chocolate, this homemade version is the perfect alternative to the store-bought Irish cream.
Baileys was a huge drink in our home with all the ladies. They didn’t drink hard alcohol like rum, vodka or whiskey. I guess because Baileys is milk-based it somehow masked the reality that they were drinking alcohol. If you told them they were drinking whiskey they’d probably ignore the fact anyway.
Back home, in India Baileys is very expensive and at some point, it became a status symbol if you could afford to serve Baileys to your guests. So, you can imagine why learning to make homemade Baileys became so important.
Also, in those days, free online recipes were not available. Nor was everyone so internet savvy. Even if you did get the recipe, it would only tell you what’s in there and not the detailed quantities. So, that required a lot of trials and errors, which in the case of Baileys was quite welcome.
Fast forward these days, and Baileys is a known recipe that everyone makes at home. It’s rich creamy and oh so delish. I myself make a few variations. If you have not tired my Butterscotch Irish Cream you must.
Let’s talk ingredients and substitutes (save/pin)
- Whiskey – It’s got to be Irish whiskey of course. I use Jameson but you can use any brand you fancy.
- Cream – The thicker the cream the richer the Irish cream. I use 38% fat. I recommend no less than 32%.
- Sweetened condensed milk – I use a 14 oz can. You can use homemade condensed milk as well.
- Chocolate syrup – If you have it use it. I never buy store-bought chocolate syrup. So, if I don’t have homemade, I just use cocoa powder.
- Vanilla extract – Vanilla is the only flavor in here, so use a good quality vanilla extract.
- Instant coffee – You want just a hint of coffee to keep it original. But in our home, we do love a bit of extra coffee. As you can see in the video, I’ve used a little more coffee so the color is darker as well.
Make it your own Irish cream
Below I have given you a very standard recipe, which is like a copy cat of the original Irish cream. However, everything in this recipe can be made your own.
- As you can see in the video, I’ve used more coffee because we love a bit more coffee flavor.
- You can also add more chocolate syrup to bump the chocolate flavor. Take note that chocolate syrup is sweetened as well. When combined with the condensed milk it can be very sweet.
- Whiskey – when I made baileys – I divide it into two – in one I add alcohol for me and Ziv, while the second is without alcohol and more chocolate so the kids can enjoy. You can add more than 1 cup or less than a cup. Use only as much as you want.
Useful tools and tips
- You don’t need anything other than measuring cups, measuring spoon to measure the ingredients correctly.
- A blender will help bring it all together. I use my Braun hand-held blender. And yet, any blender works just fine. You do not want to over whip the mixture as the alcohol can curdle the whipped cream.
- Store the Baileys in clean sterilized bottles. I like to use these liquor storage bottles with a flip-top. Perfect for storing liquor, homemade wines and vanilla as well.
How to Make Baileys Irish Cream (Save/Pin)
- In a blender, combine cream, sweetened condensed milk, instant coffee, chocolate syrup, and vanilla.
- Mix on low speed until everything is well combined.
- Add the whiskey and give it one more whiz. Do not overmix at this time as the alcohol can break down the whipped cream and curdle it.
- Transfer the baileys to clean sterilized bottles with tight-fitting lids.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Frequently asked questions
The Irish whiskey of course. So, if you plan to make this Irish cream recipe make sure to use a good Irish whiskey. I’m using Jameson, and prefer that over the others. For example, scotch is a Scottish whiskey, but it’s distilled only twice, while Irish whiskey is distilled three times. I didn’t know that until two years ago.
The classic Irish cream is very easy to make. Just blend all these ingredients in a blender and store it in the fridge for up to 2 months.
Baileys and Kahlua, both are creamy and coffee-based liquors. However, Kahlua is stronger in coffee flavor while Baileys is more subtle.
Yes, it needs to be refrigerated at all times. Because it has dairy content in the condensed milk and fresh cream. Also, Irish cream tastes so much better chilled or over some ice. Ideally, it will last in the fridge for up to 2 months. I have yet to make a batch that has lasted more than a week.
Yes, I do it all the time. If you see in the video I saved some in the bottle with the blue cap before I added the whiskey. I always do that and keep some for my friends who don’t drink alcohol. The drink on its own with the whiskey is an absolute treat.
Yes, you can by making homemade condensed milk, which is basically just reducing full-fat milk to about 1/3 of its original volume. You can also use my recipe for homemade condensed milk in 5 minutes. Whichever you use, let it cool then use it in the recipe.
Ice can dilute Irish cream making it more liquid, and yet Baileys over ice is ubiquitous. I like my Baileys thick and creamy. So I prefer it chilled rather than diluted with ice. Having said that, in winter we have it chilled in the fridge while in hot, humid summers we have it over ice.
Try a splash of Bailey’s in creamy desserts like chocolate mousse or Tiramisu. A generous splash of Irish cream over your favorite chocolate cake makes it moist and oh so delicious. Also, have you tried brownies with Irish cream and a dollop of ice cream?
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Homemade Baileys Irish Cream
Print Pin RateDescription
Ingredients
- 250 ml (1.06 cups) Heavy cream 38%
- 2 tbsp (2 tbsp) Chocolate syrup or cocoa powder
- 1 can (1.29 cups) Condensed Milk 14 oz
- 1 tsp (1 tsp) Instant coffee
- 1 tsp (1 tsp) Vanilla extract
- 250 ml (1.06 cups) Irish whiskey
Instructions
- In a blender, combine cream, sweetened condensed milk, instant coffee, chocolate syrup, and vanilla.
- Mix on low speed until everything is well combined.
- Add the whiskey and give it one more whiz. Do not overmix at this time as the alcohol can break down the whipped cream and curdle it.
- Transfer the baileys to clean sterilized bottles with tight-fitting lids.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Recipe Video
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Equipment
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
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Jack
Love how simple this is to make! Can’t wait to try it 🙂
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Jack. It sure is simple
Lisa Huff
Love that you put chocolate in your Irish cream! Now I want a cocktail and it’s not even 8am, haha!! 🙂
Veena Azmanov
ha.. Lisa. Go for it… I won’t tell anyone.
Angela Allison
What a perfect recipe. So great in my coffee and absolutely perfect for gifting. Love this, thanks so much for sharing!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Angela
Danielle Wolter
This would be perfect for xmas morning! Sounds delicious and easy to make.
Veena Azmanov
Very easy to make Danielle
Alexandra
Such a lovely idea – and what a beautiful idea for an edible gift. Perfect for gifting family and friends during the festive season!
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely, perfect to give as Christmas Gifts