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 Homemade Liqueur
- 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!
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 2-3 weeks.
How to 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.
How to Make Baileys Irish Cream
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 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 that have a cork or screw top, 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.
More Homemade Holiday Gifts
- Candy Cookies in a Jar from Alida’s Kitchen
- Chai Tea Blend from Curious Cuisiniere
- Flavored Sea Salts {DIY} from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
- Homemade Coffee Liqueur from Cooking for My Peace of Mind
- Homemade Crunchy Granola from Magnolia Days
- Homemade Flavored Simple Syrups from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Homemade Steak Sauce from The View from Great Island
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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 taste will be subpar.
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 2/3 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 recipe on Chow message boards.
Makes 4 cups.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 182Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 54mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 0gSugar: 20gProtein: 3g
71 Comments on “Homemade Baileys Irish Cream”
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.