Homemade Baileys Irish Cream

Homemade Baileys Irish Cream liqueur is made by combining Irish whiskey, cream, sugar, tones of coffee, chocolate, vanilla, and almond as primary ingredients. It is very tasty when served over ice as a rich and creamy holiday drink. If stored in the fridge, it will last 2 months.

Homemade Baileys Irish Cream comes together 1 minute, with ingredients you likely already have on hand. Rich, creamy, and the flavor is a dead ringer for store-bought! 

you can make homemade Baileys in under a minutes using a blender. It is really easy, and if you are a fan of Homemade Baileys Irish Cream, you may ask yourself why you didn’t try this sooner. All you have to do is mix together cream or half-and-half, sweetened condensed milk, Irish whiskey, a bit of instant coffee, a splash of chocolate syrup, and a bit of vanilla, then you just blend it all together.

Perfect flavor and super creamy. I used half-and-half instead of using cream and only can imagine, for sure, how rich it’d be with cream.

It does not surprise me that I’m always a fan due to sweetened condensed milk, half-and-half, and vanilla. It’s like dessert in a shot glass!

The real satisfaction comes from being able to say, oh yes, I can make Homemade Baileys Irish Cream.

At parties, someone always seems to be able to mix great drinks, juggle shot glasses, catch peanuts in their mouth, or tie cherry stems in knots with their tongue. Now you can bring the party home with this easy recipe for Baileys!

Recipe Ingredients Homemade Baileys Irish Cream

Here’s what you’ll need to make this homemade Baileys Irish cream recipe:

• Irish whiskey
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Half and half
• Chocolate syrup 
• Vanilla extract
• Instant coffee granules 

How to Make Homemade Baileys Irish Cream

This Homemade Baileys Irish Cream recipe couldn’t be simpler to make! Just add all the ingredients to a blender and mix until smooth. 

Storage Instructions

If stored in an air-tight container, homemade Baileys can last up to 2 months in the fridge. The alcohol helps preserve it, but always sniff the mixture first to make sure it hasn’t gone off (trust me, you’ll know if the half and half has gone sour). 

I also recommend shaking the homemade Baileys before enjoying it, just to mix everything back together. 

Recipe FAQs

1.Can I Use Regular Coffee Instead of Instant Coffee Granules? 

No, you’d better use instant coffee or espresso granules instead of just regular coffee, for instant coffee will be more powerful, and you’re going to get that good old Baileys coffee taste without your drink being too watery.

What Type of Whiskey Should I Use? 

I used Jameson whiskey in my homemade Baileys recipe, but any Irish whiskey will do.

What is Irish Cream?

Irish Cream is a type of liqueur made with heavy cream, whiskey, sugar, and flavorings.

what does Irish cream taste like?

Homemade Baileys is, naturally, huge and sweet and creamy, with chocolate and vanilla flavors-it’s creamy enough to stand alone as a drink, but works wonderfully in coffee, hot chocolate or eggnog.

What are some ways to use Baileys?

Enjoy it chilled, over ice, in cocktails, or swirled into coffee. You can even incorporate it into cakes, donuts, cupcakes, brownies, or frosting—no real wrong way to eat it.

We love adding Baileys to these Death by Chocolate No-Bake Cheesecake Bars or Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes.

Need some inspiration? Just look at food blogs leading up to St. Paddy’s Day or do a search for “Baileys desserts,” and you have a million options. But my favorite? Pour a little and just sip it!

Does Baileys need to be refrigerated?

Yes, homemade Irish Cream should be kept in the fridge. The alcohol actually helps preserve it, but it’s still full of milk and cream, so you don’t want it to spoil. It should last about 2 months in the fridge.

Tips for Making Homemade Baileys Irish Cream

Sweetened condensed milk: Use the sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk. MUCH thicker and MUCH sweeter, so your Baileys won’t get watered down.

Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract is best for the flavor-this is not imitation. I use imitation vanilla in some baking recipes but for this go with the real deal.

Half and half vs. cream: You can use either half and half or heavy cream for this Baileys recipe. Don’t, however, use regular milk, as that isn’t going to be creamy enough.

Chocolate syrup swap: You’re welcome to use a sugar-free chocolate syrup, if desired.

Drinks Using Homemade Baileys Irish Cream

Now that you know how to make homemade Irish cream, it’s time to drink it! Here’s how you can use it in fun ways:

Santa’s Magic Drink (Eggnog and Baileys): Not sure what to add to eggnog? Baileys is the answer! Mix the two for a creamy holiday drink you’ll love.

Creamy Chocolate Martini: Nutella makes everything better, even martinis! Frangelico adds hazelnut and vanilla flavors, while Baileys brings the creamy richness.

Frozen Mudslide: Rich dessert-like frozen cocktail with chocolate syrup and a blend of alcohols for an awesome boozy milkshake effect!