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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!
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
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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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Homemade Irish cream liqueur made with Irish whiskey, cream, and sugar with hints of coffee, chocolate, vanilla, and almond. Delicious served on the rocks for a rich and creamy holiday treat! Will keep for 2 months if 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.
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.
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.
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. How long does an Irish Cream liquor last after the expiration date? Ignoring the expiration date - Irish cream liqueur has a shelf life of about two years, if stored correctly.
Two glasses of Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur with coffee beans. Avoid freezing Baileys if you want it to taste good! Check out our guide to learn the best storage method.
It's not a simple case of pouring Baileys into ice cube trays and throwing them in the freezer. They just don't freeze! With a 17% by volume alcohol content, the freezing temperature is significantly lower. That's great if you're going for soft-scoop, but not if you want to achieve a Baileys ice cube that is usable.
The acidic lime juice causes the cream-based Baileys to curdle. The curdled Baileys does not taste sour, but it does rapidly gain viscosity and stick to the drinker's teeth, reminiscent of cement. For a sweeter taste, two shot glasses, one of lemonade and one of Baileys, can be used.
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.
Drinks like the Cement Mixer (Baileys and lime juice), the Brain Hemorrhage (Baileys, peach schnapps, and grenadine), and the somewhat offensively named Irish Car Bomb (a twist on a boiler maker with Baileys, Jameson, and Guinness) all curdle upon mixing, making part of the "appeal" the unpleasant texture, nauseating ...
When stored in the right conditions, an opened bottle can last for up to two years. The key to preserving Baileys quality after opening lies in storing it correctly. To maximize its time, store the opened bottle in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. A cupboard or liquor cabinet are ideal locations.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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