This luscious, copycat Baileys Irish Cream Recipe is simple to whip up and makes an awesome homemade holiday gift. Make sure to package your Homemade Baileys in a pretty bottle with a festive label and ribbon it will be received with big smiles.

Need a new idea for a hostess gift? With only six ingredients, this Homemade Irish Cream takes only minutes to make in the blender and is a fun way to spread holiday cheer!

Homemade Bailey's in glass jars.

Why You Must Make

  • This Baileys is creamy and delicious!
  • It’s super easy to make so makes a wonderful last-minute hostess or holiday gift.
  • With minimal ingredients and a few you may already have on hand, there’s no excuse not to try a batch!

Ingredient Notes

  • Half and Half or Heavy Cream – I prefer heavy cream (should have at least 36% butterfat); half and half will have slightly fewer calories.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk – Eagle Brand is my go-to
  • Irish Whiskey – Jameson’s recommended
  • Instant Coffee – A store brand works fine
  • Chocolate Syrup – Hershey’s brand is a staple at our house
  • Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract, never imitation as the results will be subpar.
Irish cream recipe in a carafe and two shot glasses of Baileys with some fresh raspberries.

How to Make

Each Christmas, I put on an apron and bake batch after batch of cookies and stir pans full of hot sugar making caramels, toffee, and fudge. Handcrafted gifts are a must. Plates of goodies are delivered to friends and neighbors, but my book club friends get a little something more. I’ve made limoncello, biscotti, spiced nuts, vanilla extract, and on and on.

So when Heather, a blogger friend, invited a group of bloggers to make a homemade holiday gift, it was just the push I needed. Last December I also made a batch of Kahlua for some special friends. My mind went to another homemade liqueur, this time a Copycat Baileys Irish Cream.

  1. Pour all ingredients into a blender and mix on high for about 30 seconds.
  2. Pour into sterilized, sealable containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
  3. Shake before using.
Bailey's Irish cream recipe in a jar with a holiday label.

Easy Last-Minute Holiday Gifts

Vanilla Extract takes 6 months to age to perfection, Kahlua takes weeks, and Limoncello days. Homemade Baileys Irish Cream can be ready to serve in minutes. And it lasts up to 2 months when kept in the refrigerator. The hard part is picking the perfect bottles, ribbons, and labels. And maybe washing your blender, not my favorite chore.

Handcrafted_Holidays homemade gift ideas.

Find some fun containers, then add a festive label and a ribbon to make a lovely holiday gift. I’m not crafty at all, but even I can make create holiday packaging for liqueurs with some simple supplies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Baileys Irish Cream?

It’s a cream liqueur which is a sweetened spirit that’s been hydrogenized with cream making it smooth and velvety. Baileys is flavored with whiskey and cocoa extract.

What is the Alcohol Content of Baileys?

Baileys ABV (alcohol by volume) is 17%, which is less than spirits like gin, whiskey, etc. This homemade version may not have exactly the same ABV.

Does Baileys Need to Be Refrigerated??

Storebought Irish Cream, whether open or unopened, is good for up to 2 years. It does not need to be refrigerated.
Homemade Baileys, despite the alcohol content, has a much shorter shelf life. It should always be kept in the refrigerator and used within a month or up to 2 months if you use a sterilized container.

How Do You Drink Irish Cream?

Homemade Baileys should always be shaken before serving. You can simply sip on it chilled or on ice or use it in cocktails.
Try it in shooters, martinis, Irish coffee, hot cocoa, or milkshakes.

You May Also Like

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Irish cream recipe in a glass jar with a festive label

Homemade Baileys Irish Cream

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Yield 16 servings

An easy to make, homemade liqueur that's perfect for gifting!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup half and half or heavy cream
  • 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 ⅔ cups Irish whiskey (Jameson's recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee
  • 2-3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  1. Pour all ingredients into a blender and mix on high for about 30 seconds.
  2. Pour into sealable containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
  3. Shake before using.

Notes

Adapted from a recipe on Chow message boards.

Makes 4 cups.

Use sterilized jars (run through the dishwasher). Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 182Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 54mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 0gSugar: 20gProtein: 3g

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