Homemade Irish Cream recipe – How to Make It at Home

This homemade Irish cream recipe can be made at home in just minutes. All you need to make this copycat recipe are 6 common ingredients you probably have on hand and a blender.

You’ll never have to go without the fabulous taste of Baileys!

Homemade Irish cream is the perfect addition to your morning cup of coffee. It can also be used in many cocktail and dessert recipes.

This copycat recipe is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any holiday, and makes a great homemade gift.

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What do you need to make Irish cream?

This copycat Irish cream recipe is rich, creamy and the flavor is very much like the store-bought version. You’ll need these ingredients:

• Irish whiskey
• Chocolate syrup
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Heavy cream
• Instant coffee granules
• Vanilla extract

It’s always so inconvenient to come across a drink or dessert recipe that calls for an ingredient you don’t have on hand. All of the ingredients for this copycat Irish cream recipe are common pantry staples. So, now, any time a recipe calls for Baileys I don’t have to run out to the store. 

How to make Irish cream at home

Got a blender and your ingredients? In minutes, with this quick and simple recipe, you’ll have a rich and creamy alternative to Baileys!

Homemade Irish cream comes together quickly in the blender. It’s so easy to prepare that you will wonder why you didn’t make some sooner.

Start by adding all your ingredients except for the Irish whiskey in a blender. Blend on low speed for 30-60 seconds. Be sure not to mix on too high a speed. You don’t want whipped cream in there!

Once the ingredients are well mixed, pour in the Irish whiskey and blend on low for another 30 seconds.

Pour into a clean, air tight container. This home made Irish cream will keep for about two months. It’s a good idea to give the bottle a shake when you plan to serve it each time since the ingredients can separate in storage.

How long will homemade Irish cream last?

Normal store-bought Baileys Irish cream lasts for two years, and should be used within 6 months of opening.

It is best stored in the fridge but can be stored in the pantry as long as it is not in direct sunlight and stored between 32 and 77° F.

Homemade Irish cream has a shorter life. Even though the alcohol in homemade Irish cream acts as a preservative, it should still be kept in the refrigerator.

If you store it in the pantry, it can curdle and turn bad. The homemade version will keep under refrigeration for up to two months.

How to enjoy homemade Irish cream

Irish cream is delicious served on the rocks, or poured into a cup of hot coffee. This homemade Irish cream recipe makes the perfect cocktail when mixed with other spirits.

Serve it neat as an after dinner cocktail. It’s like dessert in a glass! You can also use it to make cakes, cookies, brownies, or even frosting with it.

Add an extra creamy flavor to your favorite Irish coffee recipe in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

From trying to warm up in the evening, or serving drinks at a St. Patrick’s Day get together, having this homemade Baileys on hand is a delight. The flavor is so great that there is simply no wrong way to use it!

Tips for making homemade Irish cream

This recipe is so quick and easy. Here are a few questions that readers have asked about the recipe over the years.

What type of whiskey should I use to make Irish cream?

Any Irish whiskey works well. I used Jameson whiskey in my recipe since I wanted the taste to be as close to the store-bought brand as possible.

If you are wanting the general flavor of Baileys but also like to experiment, the sky is the limit. There are lots of whiskey flavors for sale.

Can I use half and half or milk instead of cream?

Substituting half and half for cream will give a similar flavor but will save you a few calories.

However, avoid using normal milk. It won’t give you the creamy result that you are looking for.

Is evaporated milk okay to use instead of sweetened condensed milk?

This is a substitute that doesn’t work well. Sweetened condensed milk is much sweeter and thicker than evaporated milk.

Using sweetened condensed milk gives the sweetness you want and doesn’t water down the mixture like regular milk would.

Can I use coffee instead of instant coffee granules?

Instant coffee granules have a more concentrated flavor that normal coffee does. For an even more intense coffee flavor, you can use instant espresso instead.

The granules gives the coffee taste that Baileys is known for and doesn’t water down the creamy mixture.

Is imitation vanilla extract okay to use?

Pure vanilla extra is what I recommend for this recipe. It gives much more intense flavor to the drink. Save the imitation flavoring for baked goods, instead.

Baileys Irish cream recipes

This homemade Irish cream adds a fabulous flavor to so many different recipes. It’s great in cocktails and desserts, but the sky is the limit – it would be tasty in a rich sauce over beef! The flavor of Baileys lends itself to many different recipes.

Bailey’s Irish cream drink recipes

If you enjoy the taste of rich and creamy drinks, you will love these drinks made with your homemade Irish cream.

• Baileys mudslide – be sure to drizzle the glass with chocolate for an extra special experience.
• International Incident Cocktail – several spirits combine with Baileys in this decadent cocktail for St. Patrick’s Day.
• After 8 Cocktail – you don’t have to wait until after 8 o’clock to enjoy this yummy drink.
• Ghostbuster Martini – you’ll be chasing all sorts of spirits after you drink this Halloween cocktail!
• Baileys thick Italian hot chocolate –  topped with whipped cream and chocolate, so perfect for a cold night!
• Baileys frozen mochaccino – this drink will help you cool down on a warm summer evening.

Recipes using homemade Irish cream

Baileys is a secret ingredient that will completely transform your desserts. Whether you are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or just looking to jazz up some of your favorte sweet recipes at home, try one of these ideas:

• Baileys Irish cream fudge – get the taste of Irish cream in this sweet and decadent fudge recipe.
• Baileys mudslide truffle recipe – for a really tasty way to infuse the flavor into candy.
• Baileys Irish cream and coffee fudge – add some coffee and marshmallows to your Baileys for this tasty fudge.
• Baileys Irish cream brownies – they have a chocolate ganache made with Baileys that tastes amazing.
• Baileys cheese cake cookie cups – a perfect fluffy indulgence in bite sized servings.
• Sirloin steak with Baileys Irish cream sauce – a great example of using this drink in a savory recipe.

Admin note: This post for homemade Irish cream first appeared on the blog in November of 2013. I have updated the post to add new photos, a printable recipe card with nutritional information and a video for you to enjoy.

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Yield: 15 servings

Homemade Irish Cream

Print

This homemade Irish cream is a rich and creamy alternative to the store-bought variety. It's made in minutes and tastes amazing.

Prep Time 2 minutes

Total Time 2 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 2/3 cups Irish whiskey
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
• 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Combine all of the ingredients except for the whiskey in a blender.
2. Mix on low speed for 30 to 60 seconds.
3. Add the whiskey and gently mix for another 30 seconds.
4. Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two months.
5. Shake well before serving.

Notes

This recipe makes 750 ml. Each serving is measured at 50 ml.

Please drink responsibly.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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  Bailey's Irish Cream Ceramic Cups (Set of 2)
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  Baileys Baileys Biscuits Chocolate Twists 4.2 OZ 
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  Bailey's Non-Alcoholic Original Irish Cream Flavored Cold Brew Coffee

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

15

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 244Total Fat: 8.7gSaturated Fat: 5.5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1.9gCholesterol: 31.1mgSodium: 44.4mgCarbohydrates: 23.6gFiber: 0gSugar: 23.3gProtein: 3.2g

Nutritional information is approximate due to natural variation in ingredients and the cook-at-home nature of our meals.

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