Homemade Irish Cream (Bailey’s)
Homemade Irish Cream couldn’t be easier to make, tastes streets ahead of the commercial stuff, can be adjusted precisely to suit your sweet tooth and makes an excellent gift for friends - if you are prepared to share it!
Kiss me quick, I’m Irish – well, one-sixteenth or so at least! Just a quick Cocktail Hour recipe today in honour of Saint Patrick’s Day, that famous drink from the Emerald Isle and much-beloved tipple of my mother, Irish Cream.
Homemade Irish Cream couldn’t be easier to make, tastes streets ahead of the commercial stuff, can be adjusted precisely to suit your sweet tooth and makes an excellent gift for friends – if you are prepared to share it!
For true Irish Cream you would use a proper Irish whisky, but my feeling is that you are throwing enough sugar and flavours at it to mask any subtle notes in the whisky, so I use whatever I have to hand – feel free to use whatever suits your budget here, but don’t use a bottle of your flashest booze.
So, grab your whisk and in next to no time you’ll be sipping on this very creamy, smooth and dangerously addictive treat.
Homemade Irish Cream will keep in the fridge in a clean bottle for at up to two months – if you don’t drink it first! I actually like to let it sit at least a couple of days in the fridge before drinking to let the flavours marry together a little.
Feel free to switch up the amount of cocoa or espresso powder to suit your palate.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long can I keep Homemade Irish Cream?
It should last at least two months in the fridge. You may find that it thickens after a long time. Just add some more alcohol and strain the mixture if it is no longer smooth.
Can I use other types of alcohol to make Irish Cream?
You can use any alcohol you like, though it is traditionally made with whiskey.
What can I make with Homemade Irish Cream?
Drink it neat, over ice, mixed with milk, or in a coffee! It’s also delicious poured over ice cream.
Homemade Irish Cream
Homemade Irish Cream couldn’t be easier to make, tastes streets ahead of the commercial stuff, can be adjusted precisely to suit your sweet tooth and makes an excellent gift for friends – that's only if you are prepared to share it!
Ingredients
- 1 tsp instant espresso powder
- or strong instant coffee powder
- 1-2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 250 ml pouring cream
- 400 ml whisky
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 395 g tin sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Put the espresso powder and cocoa powder into a large mixing bowl. Pour in one tablespoon of hot water, stirring to dissolve the powders. Add the cream, whisky and vanilla extract then whisk to combine.
- Pour in the condensed milk, then whisk until completely mixed through. Pour into clean glass bottles, seal and refrigerate.
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Nutrition
Serving: 50ml | Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 29mg | Sugar: 11g
Tried this recipe?I’d love to hear how it went! Please leave a review or a star rating and let me know how it was! Use the hashtag #daysofjay on Instagram so I can see your delicious creations.
I have made homemade Irish Cream for several years as Christmas gifts. Always well received and it tastes yummy! AND, you have control over the ingredients so you don’t get anything weird. This recipe is more like 10 stars!
I’ve made Irish Cream many times and never been fully satisfied with the result, but you’ve added ingredients I’ve never tried and I’m so looking forward to making this. One question though, what exactly is “pouring cream”?
Hi Perry! I hope this recipe is a success for you! Pouring cream is just a regional way of saying non-thickened whipping cream. Any cream with a fat content between about 35-40% will be suitable for this recipe. Have a great weekend! J.