Homemade Baileys Irish Cream
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!
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.
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.
- Pour all ingredients into a blender and mix on high for about 30 seconds.
- Pour into sterilized, sealable containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
- Shake before using.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Homemade Baileys Irish Cream
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
- Pour all ingredients into a blender and mix on high for about 30 seconds.
- Pour into sealable containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
- 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:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 182Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 54mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 0gSugar: 20gProtein: 3g
77 Comments on “Homemade Baileys Irish Cream”
Using less alcohol, would it change the taste?
Hi, Jackie, I think it will be OK, though the taste will probably not be as authentic. Hope you enjoy!
i use to make homemade baileys for Christmas holidays forgot about that until i saw your recipe
I used Jameson, per your recommendation, and my Irish cream turned out great! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
How long will this keep. I’m guessing with the cream in has to be refrigerated?
Hi, James, Yes, it needs to be refrigerated. It should keep for at least a month and up to 2 months if you make sure to use a sterilized container. Just run your container(s) through the dishwasher on a sanitize cycle if yours has one. Hope that helps!
How do u get the coffee grounds to dissolve? I had to strain this multiple times
Hi, Kathleen,
The recipe calls for Instant Coffee which is a powder that dissolves in liquids. The brand I use is Nescafe, but there are many others. Hope that helps!
Oh Liz – you read my mind! I was reminding my husband today that he hasn’t bought my holiday bottle of Bailey’s this year. Now I can just make my own. What a great excuse to buy a bottle of Irish whiskey, which I know he would rather purchase. 🙂 Love those Irish coffees.
I had no idea it was this easy to make Irish cream! I’m on it! Thanks for the recipe.
Yeah handcrafted gifts are always a great idea, and homemade Baileys will definitely make people excited! 🙂 Loving your cute and festive labels, too!
A gift that’s well received, I’m sure! Sounds nice and easy to make too:@)
What a fun homemade gift idea for the holidays! Love the glass pyramid bottles you chose!
Bailey’s is BY FAR my favorite sipping drink. I especially love the mint Bailey’s but plain a great staple. I can’t believe how simple it is to make this and I always store it in the fridge anyway just because I love it cold! This is a total win!
This is a delicious idea! And what can be bad when Jameson is added??
SO perfect for the holidays! I need to try making this myself!
I have a recipe for a delicious blackening spice that I use on meats and veggies when I use my grill pan. I’d choose the Gourmet Glass Jars – Bulb jars for this rub.
This looks like so much fun! Can’t wait to try this for my teacher friends!
I love homemade gift ideas like this. 🙂
*Excited squeal* I know what I’m making as a gift for myself this Christmas! Last year, a good friend’s boyfriend made baileys irish cream and I LOVED it. I drank more than my fair share, that’s for sure. I can’t wait to try this recipe, Liz.
liquor bottles and I would make some kind of homemade liqueur to put in it
I would love to have some Thick Base Glass Jars because I do make face cream and these would be perfect containers.
I would love to use the rounded glass jar with cork and wooded spoon for This is your Mommy’s Hot Chocolate. Which is a homemade Hot Chocolate mix with bottles of Baileys.
i like the thick base glass jars for putting lotions and creams in!
I am not good at choosing. i would like one of everything! And every year I tell myself i am going to make Bailey’s. And every year I don’t. Maybe if I had the right bottle….
I love using mason jars and putting homemade stuff inside them for gifts – like cookie mixes, candles etx.
I have been wanting mason jar mugs for the longest time.
Lizzy! I love Baileys and hubby loves too! so I lovewd this récipes, amazinf dear!!
I’m obsessed with Baileys so I love this idea!
Yum! I would love one on the rock, please!
I would use their containers to make homemade vanilla extract
I like the dark amber pyramid and I would probably make your Bailey’s Irish since time is of the essence.
Lizzy,
Love the homemade bailey’s recipe. Pinned it. Thanks for the giveaway.
Annamaria
I am fermenting my hot peppers from the garden and hope to have a extra hot habanero hot sauce in time for Christmas giving. I am going to use the Clear Glass Hot Sauce Bottles-Red Caps to bottle it up.
I love baileys – what a great gift idea!
I would choose the Clear Glass Rectangular Push Cork Bottles to make homemade vanilla extract.
Mmmm Bailey’s Irish Cream! Sounds great for gift-giving!
This irish cream looks absolutely gorgeous 😀
Cheers
CCU
Ohhh, I love Baileys! What a fun little blog hop you guys did! I love homemade gifts!! Everything looks great and I’d be happy to receive any f them.
Wow, sounds easy to make. Your packaging is gorgeous.
Leef
I’ve been making homemade Baileys for years, IMO it’s better than the store bought version. These bottles are perfect for storing them in too! I saw the nifty sea salt ones this morning with the spoon that I love and can’t wait to try. Nice giveaway and my favorite drink. Happy Holidays here we come!
I would get lots of Mason jars and use some of them to put homemade granola in for gifts!
I would use the mason jars and make homemade body scrubs and lotions. I would also make hot cocoa in a jar gifts.
Homemade Bailey’s irish cream sounds so yum! What a great gift for the holidays, especially in such pretty bottles!
Bailey’s Irish Cream! and it would be a great gift!
Wire bale air-seal jars are lovely! I love glass storage jars for everything from food to crafts.
Such a fun recipe, I bet you are the hit with everyone you know! 🙂
I love Freund Container and would spend all of my winnings on a case of 8.5-oz Clear Glass Bale-Wire Swing-Top Bottles for my homemade vanilla.
I can’t wait for my big kitchen so I can do the whole-homemade-treats-for-gifts thing. In the past I drove out to my aunt’s house to use her double ovens, but it’s kind of a pain. I love little bottles and things!! can’t wait to check out that site. And your Baileys looks amazing 🙂
These look great for homemade vanilla, etc.:
http://www.freundcontainer.com/blue-glass-fiji-bottle-cork/p/7008B54BLU/
I love the labels you put on here Liz! You are crafty and these are just the perfect gift.
Definitely going to try out some Baileys…I would try the French square glass bottles, trying to stay clear of plastic as much as possible!
I need to make this now! I love that it’s ready right away, I’m all about instant gratification. Lovely bottles, too. Hope I’m on your gift list 🙂
You must know the way to my heart – I love Baileys!
You had me at the mention of Baileys… Liz, thank you! Love home made gifts and this is one I have wanted to make for DECADES!
what a gorgeous gift idea !
This in some coffee would be the most perfect way to end a meal. What a treat for someone to receive this as a gift. I’m so glad it is super easy and quick to make.
I love Baileys so am eager to try this.
Thanks for the recipe and for the chance to win!
Yay! I just put up 15 bottles of homemade vanilla and am going to do some Kaluha 🙂 This will fit right in!
Big fan of Baileys but never thought about making it. I have made Kahlua 🙂
Those containers would be great for making gifts such as ingredients for cookies!
I can’t believe you can make baileys! This is fantastic, and I love your sticker label!
I’d use the Glass Wire Bale Jars and fill them with homemade cookies to give to all my neighbors and friends! I’d paint snowflakes on them to add a nice holiday touch!
Love Baileys! Love to drink it – love to share it!
What an easy gift to make and one that everyone will enjoy. 🙂
I had no idea that you could make Baileys or Kahlua! You Rock! I would feel special to get such an amazing gift homemade in just the right bottles! thanks for sharing
What a great giveaway!
You have the best recipies!
I love to give gifts of cookies and candies, too, and adding a bottle of Irish Cream would really be a treat for the special people on my list. It would be a treat for me as well to have this in the fridge over the holiday. Finding beautiful little bottles can be a real challenge. Thanks so much for the link.
Oooo – I love stuff like this!! I’ve made the Baileys in years gone by – what a great idea to package it in those beautiful bottles for gifts. Have a great conference. I’m off to check out all the other homemade gift ideas….
Thanks for the great ideal, Liz!! I have a few neighbors that would love this special treat! Especially thank you for the bottle/container link, always looking for somewhere to buy supplies.
PattiNC
thanks for sharing those beautiful giveaways.
Your bottles look absolutely gorgeous, Liz…nobody would know your secret (how easy it was)! And yes, making homemade Irish Cream is one of my favorite liqueurs to make since it comes together in mere moments – great party trick ;).
I’m making granola, so I’d used the Legacy Mason jars for pretty gift containers.
Sounds easy and delicious. Would be perfect in the bale wire topped bottles!
Yay! Canadians too!!! Yay!
I love home made gifts; I was just thinking how I’m going to have time with all the work I’ve got going these days. I’m going to have to get going sooner than later. The Irish Cream sounds wonderful and perfect for the holiday season with all the parties going on. I love it I my coffee instead of milk.
What a great recipe Liz! Love homemade gifts that are so simple and beautiful! The glasses are so pretty and this is such a fun and cute idea 🙂 Pinning and can’t wait to try this, thanks for sharing and hope you have a great weekend 🙂
The Baileys would be such a fun gift! I’d have to get some of those wire bale bottles, they’d be great for everything from your Baileys to chive vinegar:@)
What a terrific giveaway! I can think of so many ways I’d use that beautiful glassware.