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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 recipe are 6 common ingredients you probably have on hand and a blender.

You’ll never have to go without the fabulous taste of of this delicious drink!

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 recipe is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any holiday, and makes a great homemade gift.Bottle of creamy mixture on a green piece of cloth with words reading Homemade Irish Cream.

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You don't need to make a trip to the liquor store to get some Irish cream. Make it at home in just minutes with a few common ingredients. Get the recipe on The Gardening Cook. Click To Tweet

What do you need to make Irish cream?

This Irish cream recipe is rich, creamy and the flavor is very much like the store-bought version. You’ll need these ingredients:Ingredeints for the homemade recipe: Irish whiskey, cream, condensed milk, chocolate, coffee and vanilla.

  • 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 Irish cream recipe are common pantry staples.  

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 drink that tastes great with coffee!

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!Homemade Irish cream in a blender with orange jugs, chocolate and spoon.

Once the ingredients are well mixed, pour in the Irish whiskey and blend on low for another 30 seconds.Blender full of Irish cream and a small Mason jar.

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 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.Glass of homemade Irish cream on a coaster with a green piece of fabric and bottle of Baileys.

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.Glass of homemade Irish cream in a martini glass with ice.

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 Irish Cream  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 Irish cream 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.Pouring homemade Irish cream from a jug into a class with ice.

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 Irish cream 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.Homemade Irish cream in two glasses with ice near some pine cones.

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.

Brownies, truffles and drink in a collage with words reading Recipes using Baileys Irish creamRecipes 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:

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.

Pin this post for homemade Irish cream

Would you like a reminder of this recipe for homemade Irish cream? Just pin this image to one of your drinks boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.

Bottle and small glass of Irish cream on a green piece of fabric and words reading "Today is a good day."

Yield: 15 servings

Homemade Irish Cream

Homemade Irish Cream

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.

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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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Dawn Milford

Tuesday 16th of March 2021

Any substitute for the Irish whiskey, I love the taste of baileys but do not drink anymore and would love to make this "virgin".

Jasmin

Wednesday 24th of August 2022

@Dawn Milford, I just purchased some non alcoholic whiskey, making it for hubby.

Carol Speake

Wednesday 17th of March 2021

I can't think of what you would use. Bailey's has a whiskey taste embedded in it. Without it, the drink would be very different in taste.

Anna

Friday 4th of November 2016

I don't like chocolate, do I have to add it?

Carol

Friday 4th of November 2016

Hi Anna. If you don't add the chocolate, it won't taste as much like Bailey's. Carol

Sharon

Wednesday 12th of October 2016

Wondering how to make the "MINT" flavor as they discontinued this a few years ago,and its the only one I like!!

Carol

Wednesday 12th of October 2016

Hi Sharon. Adding 1 teaspoon mint extract and ½ teaspoon almond extract to my recipe would probably give you the flavor you are looking for. Just adjust the extracts until you get the taste you like. Carol

donna

Thursday 25th of June 2015

how long do you have to let it sit before you can use it

admin

Thursday 25th of June 2015

Hi Donna. I used mine in the recipe right away and also tasted it just plain and it was fine. Carol

Karman

Saturday 15th of November 2014

Thanks so much for posting this recipe! I'm going to love trying it out! I'm allergic to flavoring so I have to avoid most liquors; this will be a big help!

admin

Sunday 16th of November 2014

HI Karman. I hope you enjoy it. Carol

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