Recipe for Baileys Irish Cream

This recipe for Baileys Irish Cream tastes like a replica of the popular creamy drink. It is super easy to make and it’s an indulgent winter staple!

Original post: March 2012 | Updated: November 2022

Why This Recipe Works

Every year when the holidays and winter start approaching I express gratitude that I love food so much. There is so much yummy food and drink to enjoy this time of year.

Enjoying a glass of Baileys Irish Cream liqueur is an indulgence for me and only happens a couple times a year, but when it happens I so thoroughly enjoy the creamy beverage.

A few years ago a good friend of ours invited us over to his house for a holiday gathering. He was known for making huge spreads of food that we would all devour.

This one year, though, he had set out a pitcher of homemade Irish cream so of course I had to give it a try. I could not believe how delicious it was. Even better than the original Irish cream!

So here is my favorite way to enjoy Baileys Irish Cream, made without raw eggs. You are going to LOVE this holiday drink!

How To Make Homemade Baileys Irish Cream

In a blender, combine Irish cream ingredients:

• Liquor of choice – Choose from rum, Irish whiskey (Jameson whiskey is a great option), brandy, bourbon, scotch or rye
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Heavy whipping cream
• Chocolate syrup
• Coffee granules (regular or instant coffee granules can be used)
• Pure vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Puree until smooth. Refrigerate until chilled and serve with or without ice. Delicious toppings include whipped cream, chocolate syrup, marshmallows or cinnamon.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Recipe Notes

• Use your favorite liquor for this recipe, but here are a few great options: Irish whiskey, brandy, rum (my personal fave), bourbon, scotch or rye. Each one will produce a different flavor, so experiment a bit if you’d like!
• Use ground or instant coffee for this drink. The instant variety is fine to use, but in my opinion ground coffee is much more flavorful. The coffee flavor adds so much depth to the end result, so don’t skip this ingredient.
• This recipe makes the perfect Christmas gift! Pour it into glass bottles or mason jars, put a cute little label on it and hand it out to friends and family members this year.
• If you don’t have a blender, use a hand mixer to blend on high speed for 30-60 seconds.
• Replace a portion (up to 1/2 cup) of the heavy cream with your favorite flavored coffee creamer.

How Long is Baileys Irish Cream Good For

Store the homemade version of this creamy beverage in a plastic or glass airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Store-bought Baileys will stay fresh for 2 years from the manufacture date, whether opened or unopened. Follow the best-by date printed on the bottle.

Can You Freeze Baileys

Freezing Baileys is not ideal. When it is frozen, the cream separates from the alcohol creating ice crystals which alter its texture.

What Is The Best Thing To Mix With Baileys

• Hot chocolate
• Coffee
• Ice cream and chocolate syrup
• Cold brew
• Guinness beer
• Earl Grey tea

Christmas Drinks With Baileys

• This is the perfect beverage to enjoy in December for the holidays, but consider enjoying it in March to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, as well. Create a delicious Bailey’s Irish Coffee
• Serve chilled straight-up in a glass, with or without ice.
• Make a Mudslide – Pour 1 oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua), 1 1/2 oz Irish cream and 1 1/2 oz heavy cream in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously. Pour into cocktail glasses. 
• White Russian – Add 2 oz vodka and 1 oz coffee liqueur to a glass half full of ice. Top with a splash of Baileys and heavy cream (or coffee creamer) and stir.
• Pour into a fancy glass and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings for a fancy and delicious dessert drink.
• Milkshakes – Combine with milk, peanut butter and ice cream or with milk and peppermint ice cream. Blend and enjoy!
• If you serve this at a holiday party, be sure to serve hot chocolate alongside it as an option for kids.

Delicious Drink Recipes

• This gorgeous holiday punch can be made with or without alcohol and is a refreshing addition to your party table. Only 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of your time are needed to make this thirst-quenching festive punch that everyone will love!
• 4 Can Margaritas – Pour only FOUR ingredients into a pitcher and a batch of refreshing margaritas is ready for guests! All you’ll need is Squirt, tequila, a can of beer and limeade.
• Easy Lemon Drop Cocktail is EASY to make and is sure to impress guests. Use honey simple syrup for a less sweet version of the popular adult drink.
• The Best Mai Tai – This is the closest you’ll get to replicating the Vegas Mirage hotel’s famous Mai Tai. One of my favorite alcoholic beverages ever!

Holiday Snack Recipes

• Change it up by making candied pecans instead! These are a great snack and also the perfect addition to any leafy salad.
• Salty toasted coconut chips are the perfect anytime snack, but they’ll also go fast on a party table!
• Transform the tart cranberry into a poppable snack by making these sugared cranberries. These come with a warning, though. They’re very hard to stop eating once you start.
• Holiday snack mix is one of my favorite snacks to bring to parties in the winter. Every time I do, it gets rave reviews!

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