This homemade Baileys Irish cream recipe requires just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of your time to make
When food and drink come in fancy bottles we sometimes have it in our head that it’s complicated to make. This is often not the case and my recipe for homemade Irish cream is a prime example. Rich and creamy, it actually can taste BETTER than the original providing that you get top-quality ingredients. Even then you’ll end up saving money making your own than buying it ready-made.
After making homemade Kahlua I decided to try my hand at Bailey’s. There are literally dozens of recipes online and all seem to differ just slightly from each other. Some include egg, others call for almond extract, but all of them call for some basic ingredients which are condensed milk, cream, whiskey, chocolate, vanilla, and coffee. I’ve found that using just these will give you a delicious and fun drink that is a very close match for Baileys. It also only takes a few minutes to whip up.
Homemade Baileys Irish Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup Double cream (Heavy/Whipping Cream)
- 14 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk 400ml
- 12⁄3 cups Irish Whiskey
- 2 Tbsp Chocolate syrup
- 1 tsp Instant coffee (regular or decaf)
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Dilute the coffee crystals in a tablespoon of hot water.
- Place all the ingredients into a bowl, or better yet a blender, and to whisk/blend until it's completely incorporated.
- Funnel the Irish cream into empty bottles and keep it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Homemade Baileys Irish cream is delicious on its own over ice but you can also use it to make creamy cocktails and tasty desserts. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Susan says
Better than the original! So glad you shared the recipe as I’m a DIY person.
Mary Jane Neveu says
how long will the Kahlua and Irish Cream be good? And should the Irish Cream be kept in the frig
lovelygreens says
It should last a good 7-10 days in the fridge.
lovelygreens says
An absolute treat! Easy to make and delicious poured over ice
Peter H Moors says
Tanya,
I haven’t made any for years, but we used to use a very simple recipe that was delicious. I don’t have the quantities, but it was simply whisky, rich cream, chocolate topping (the syrup you buy to pour over ice cream etc.), and a couple of drops of coconut essence. ever got around to checking its keeping qualities, as we always consumed it so fast.
Keep up the good work. Love your site.
Peter
lovelygreens says
Coconut essence — interesting!
jamal alnafea says
greeting . You could replace the whiskey in this recipe? Because religious Akdety forbids the use of alcohol and then this recipe will not be halal. thank you
lovelygreens says
This is a toughie…the Irish in ‘Irish Cream’ refers to the whiskey. I’m not sure that you could make a non-alcoholic version that tastes the same.
Angie Rose says
Thanks for sharing this fun & easy recipe! Can’t wait to try!
kates says
Just wondering how long this will last before expiring? I know this may be a silly question..
lovelygreens says
I wouldn’t keep it around (refrigerated) for more than a week due to the cream content.
mrsnesbitt says
I have the same mixing bowl!!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Haha :)
Sonya Kanelstrand says
Oh, that is a handy recipe! They are selling a Baileys started that you can mix with vodka but the recipe you talk about sounds so yummi that it is worth trying! And do you know how much I love hot chocolate with Baileys on a cold winter day? There's hardly anything better!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Interesting that they say to mix it with vodka! Irish whiskey is generally what is used for a base but it seems people make different variations of Baileys using different alcohols.
Hot chocolate with Baileys sounds really nice…I might just have to make myself one this week :)
Jess says
There is probably Irish whiskey flavoring in the Baileys starter mix (my dad makes scotch – but he cheats and waters down homemade ethanol with scotch flavoring)
lovelygreens says
Sounds deadly! In a good way :)
Sensory Dragon says
Hi Tanya,
Sorry I haven't 'visited'for while but I'm back 'in the saddle'now. Love the Baileys recipe. I've made a few home wines this past year but I think I'll add this to the list and have a go. Nice one – what will you have a go at next I wonder….
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
I wonder too :) Thanks for visiting again and I'll be sure to head over in your direction too!
allotments4you says
I love baileys and now you really have me fancying one..I don't have all these ingredients in the cupboard but I do have some Baileys so I will settle for that!! I don't think I will be making this though as we aren't whiskey fans and i think we would waste more buying the whiskey to try making it than just buying another bottle of baileys/irish cream!!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
But just think…one bottle of whiskey means you can make TWO bottles of Baileys ;)
The Weaver of Grass says
I never knew that Bailey's had so many ingredients. The result sounds interesting though – and warming.
I have been to friends today who have just cured their first piece of beef – it has turned out very well indeed and was delicious. If you are interested in doing this let me know and I will put you in touch with them.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Curing beef sounds really interesting – please do put me in touch :) I've been meaning to try making Biltong but haven't gotten around to it yet. What type of product did your friends make?
frugalhillway.com says
Sounds delicious, I must give it a go. We're currently working through our first ever batch of sloe gin made last autumn – there's nothing like your own home made drinks!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Sloe gin…yum! Thanks for stopping by Tawny and hope you enjoy making this Baileys recipe :)
Sunnybrook Farm says
I think that if you lived here in the mountains of Virginia, you would be a moonshiner! At least until you got deported.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Hahaha!! Just call me Granny Clampett ;)
John says
Bailey's and anything. The best. This sounds good.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
I agree!
Mo and Steve says
Thank you! Steve's Mum loves Bailey's and now I have a lovely gift idea for her ;) (I'm quite partial to it myself too)
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Like I mentioned to Caro above…I'd tweak the recipe a bit before making it again. Unless you like an Amaretto/Baileys cross then maybe take the almond extract out completely or maybe reduce the amount to about 1/4 tsp.
I hope both you and Steve's mom enjoy! It would be so easy to make an extra bottle when you're already preparing some for a gift ;)
Kristy Lynn says
Yeah booze! haha… i like your style sister :)
i've been meaning to make baileys for a while now… maybe this weekend. i love just sipping it over a couple ice cubes. mind you, it tastes a bit like candy and sipping rarely lasts longer than 15 minutes. oops!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
LOL! I drink it the same way…but with a bit of milk to dilute it. But for a girly sweet drink I can't believe how much whiskey is in the recipe. I think I'm going to force myself against slurping in the future ;)
The GIPSY in the PARLOUR says
yay, I love making booze!! I did a nice gingerbread vodka in december, can't wait to try this one!! ;-)
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Now THAT sounds amazing. Gingerbread vodka…yum.
Caro (UrbanVegPatch) says
Now you've got my attention! I love Bailey's but it's too indulgent to buy a bottle just for me. Seems a solution is in sight – although I'm not sure about the chocolate syrup? or the almond extract? Does Bailey's taste of almonds, I can't remember … it's obviously been too long!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Haha! Have fun making it :) And I was just thinking last night that the next time I whip up a batch I'll omit all or most of the almond extract. I think the little bit of chocolate is essential, though maybe it could be made with a homemade chocolate syrup?
Fran says
I have made this before and it is lovely. Have you tried adding brandy instead of whiskey? Gain very good xxx
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
It was my first time with this recipe today but next time I'll try it with brandy. Thanks for the tip Fran :)
Dani says
Yum – one of my favourite "special" occasion tipples :) Thanks!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Have fun making it Dani…it's amazing how quick it is to make.
Jo says
White wine and the very occasional lager is the extent of my alcohol intake, but it must save a fortune making your own like this. It sounds so easy too.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Come on Jo…you know you want to try some ;)