Irish Cream is a rich and flavorful liqueur made with whiskey, coffee, cream, and just a few other ingredients. This homemade Bailey’s recipe is so easy to make, and it’s great to use in all kinds of drinks, cocktails, and desserts. It’s the perfect thing for homemade Christmas gifts, St. Patrick’s Day, or cozy winter nights.
This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.
Why We Love This Irish Cream Recipe
This sweet coffee and cream liqueur is so tasty! You only need a handful of ingredients and just one step to make this DIY Bailey’s recipe.
- Creamy. This liqueur has a smooth, rich, and velvety texture from the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk.
- Flavorful. The combination of whiskey, instant coffee granules, chocolate syrup, and vanilla and almond extracts creates a complex sweet, nutty, and creamy flavor.
- Indulgent. Adding this homemade Irish cream to your favorite drinks and desserts will take them to the next level!
How to Store
Store homemade Irish cream in a tightly-sealed container or jar, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. Be sure to give it a good shake before you use it, because the cream will separate as it sits.
What to Make with Homemade Bailey’s
This homemade Baileys Irish cream can be used in so many recipes, especially cocktails, drinks, and desserts. Use it to make Irish coffee, this Irish cream milkshake or a frozen mudslide. Or pour it directly over a bowl of ice cream!
Yes, Irish cream is a liqueur and it contains whiskey.
Because this recipe contains heavy cream, the mixture might just turn into a thick, whipped cream if you over-blend. If this happens, pour it through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
You can use a high-powered blender or an immersion blender to mix everything together.
More Homemade Liquor Recipes We Love
5-Star Review
“So easy and tastes just like the real thing.” -Kathy R
Irish Cream Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream 227 grams
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 397 grams (1 can)
- 1⅔ cup Irish whiskey 378 grams
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules 4 grams
- 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup 18 grams, such as Hershey's
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- ½ teaspoon almond extract 2 grams
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender or use an immersion blender for 30 seconds. You don’t want to blend for too long or whipped cream may form :) If you do get a bit of cream on top, just sift though a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.1 cup heavy cream, 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 1⅔ cup Irish whiskey, 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules, 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Bottle in a tightly sealed container and refrigerate.
- Shake well before using.
Video
Becky’s Tips
- Can also put in cute mason jars and give as gifts. Be sure to date the jars.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Irish Cream Step by Step
Blend the Cream: Combine 1 cup of heavy cream, 12 ounces (1 can) of sweetened condensed milk, 1⅔ cups of Irish whiskey, 2 teaspoons of instant coffee granules, 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup, 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon of almond extract in a blender or use an immersion blender for 30 seconds. You don’t want to blend for too long or whipped cream may form. If you do get a bit of cream on top, just sift through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
Bottle the Cream: Bottle in a tightly sealed container and refrigerate. Shake well before using.
Perfect homemade Baileys! I followed the recipe exactly and made it with Jameson. My husband (who is from Ireland) and I did a taste test with this recipe compared to the real Baileys we had. We both actually prefer this one. It’s a little bit lighter, and you can taste the almond extract, which makes it SO good. I made a batch for gifts and it was really fun to give them to our friends. I will be saving this recipe forever!
I use Seagram’s and double the recipe to make a half gallon. Also, use one half half-and -half and one half heavy cream. Everyone finds it equal to or better than Bailey’s.
Thanks so much for sharing, Cappy!
How much does this recipe make? 750ml? I will be using mason and 750 ml bottles…
It makes a bit more than that… probably closer to 1100ml.
Hello thankyou so much for sharing your recipe I am going to make it this Christmas for gifts. I am curious have you have used scotch whiskey for this at all, Irish whiskey is so hard to come across where I am.
Irish Whiskey is best to make sure it has the right taste!
Thank you
So easy and tastes just like the real thing.
I’m so happy you loved it!!
Can’t wait to try !
Enjoy!
Can I substitute canned coconut milk for the sweetened condensed milk?
Unfortunately it wouldn’t be the same consistency at all. It might still work but wouldn’t be quite the same. I haven’t tried it. Please let me know if you do!
Must to go in dark glasses bottle !!!
cute bottles u got for the photo! May i ask where you got them so i can get myself some, please? Also, thanks for sharing the recipe! will try :)
Of course! I got them from various antique stores but Etsy also has a ton! I’m always on the prowl :)
i am on weight watchers but plannto try this for sure! I may have overlooked it, but How much is a serving? 1 oz? Moderation of irish cream is hard for me :)
ThaNks for sharing!
I’d say about 1 1/2 ounce, about the size of a shot. I agree…moderation is HARD!