Homemade Baileys Irish Cream — 🎉🧡🙌🏻 Homemade Baileys Irish Cream comes together 1 minute, with ingredients you likely already have on hand. Rich, creamy, and the flavor is a dead ringer for store-bought!
Table of Contents
Homemade Baileys comes together in under one minute in the blender. It’s so easy that if you’re a Baileys Irish Cream fan, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this sooner. Simply combine cream or half-and-half, sweetened condensed milk, Irish whiskey, a pinch of instant coffee, dash of chocolate syrup, vanilla, and blend.
The flavor is spot on and so very creamy. I used half-and-half rather than cream, and can only imagine how rich it would be with cream.
Between the sweetened condensed milk, half-and-half, and vanilla it’s no wonder I’ve always loved the stuff. Dessert in a shot glass.
I don’t think it’s any cheaper to make homemade Irish cream, but it’s also not more expensive than store-bought. With the exception of the Irish whiskey, I always have the rest of the ingredients on hand so it didn’t feel like I bought things just to make homemade Baileys from scratch.
The real satisfaction comes from being able to say, oh yes, I can make Baileys Irish cream.
At parties, there’s always that one person who can mix a great drink, juggle shot glasses, catch peanuts in their mouth, or tie cherry stems into knots with their tongue. Now you’ll be the star of the party with this little Baileys recipe up your sleeve.
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this homemade Baileys Irish cream recipe:
- Irish whiskey – I prefer Jameson whiskey
- Sweetened condensed milk – NOT evaporated milk
- Half and half – heavy cream also works (do not use milk)
- Chocolate syrup – regular or sugar-free
- Vanilla extract – I recommend using pure vanilla extract and not the imitation kind
- Instant coffee granules
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Baileys Irish Cream
This homemade Irish cream recipe couldn’t be simpler to make! Just add all the ingredients to a blender and mix until smooth.
Storage Instructions
If stored in an air-tight container, homemade Baileys can last up to 2 months in the fridge. The alcohol helps preserve it, but always sniff the mixture first to make sure it hasn’t gone off (trust me, you’ll know if the half and half has gone sour).
I also recommend shaking the homemade Baileys before enjoying it, just to mix everything back together.
Recipe FAQs
No, you want to use instant coffee or espresso granules and not regular coffee. Instant coffee granules have a more concentrated flavor and will deliver that coffee taste Baileys is known for without watering down the drink.
I used Jameson whiskey in my homemade Baileys recipe, but any Irish whiskey will do.
Irish Cream is a type of liqueur made with heavy cream, whiskey, sugar, and flavorings.
Homemade Baileys is incredibly sweet and creamy, with undertones of chocolate and vanilla. It’s rich enough to enjoy on its own, but it’s also great stirred into coffee, hot chocolate, and eggnog.
Serve it chilled, over ice, in mixed drinks or in coffee. Make cake, donuts, cupcakes, brownies, or frosting with it. There’s no wrong way to use it.
We love using Baileys in these Death by Chocolate No-Bake Cheesecake Bars and these Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes.
Yes! The homemade Irish Cream needs to be refrigerated. The alcohol acts as a preservative, but there’s still lots of milk and cream in the mixture and you do not want it to go bad! The Baileys recipe will last about 2 months in the fridge.
Drinks Using Baileys Irish Cream
Pin This Recipe
Enjoy AverieCooks.com Without Ads! 🆕
Go Ad Free
Homemade Baileys Irish Cream
Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ cups Irish whiskey, I used Jameson
- one 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream, I used half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup, I used Hershey’s
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules or instant espresso, make sure it’s instant so it dissolves
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in the canister of a blender and blend on high speed until smooth, 30 to 60 seconds.
- Transfer mixture to a glass bottle or airtight container with a tight-fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months (I have read anywhere between 1 to 2 months; the alcohol helps preserve it, but always use the sniff test and common sense).
- Shake well before using.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
©averiecooks.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
More Easy Holiday Drinks:
Sparkling Cranberry Orange Christmas Punch — Put some SPARKLE in your holidays with this EASY and FESTIVE punch that everyone loves!! Can be made in strengths ranging from non-alcoholic to knock-you-for-a-punch!!
Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria — Apples, oranges, pomegranate seeds, and cinnamon sticks with sparkling cider are a FUN twist on classic sangria!! So easy! Make it for your next party and everyone will want a refill!!
Manhattan Cocktail — This classic bourbon cocktail is made with vermouth, Angostura bitters, and orange peel for a sophisticated and easy drink everyone should know how to make!
Originally posted March 14, 2013 and reposted March 17, 2021 with updated text.
Can I use scotch whiskey, I have loads on hand.
That’s likely fine – it may end up being a little stronger tasting since Scotch whiskey is a bit stronger tasting to me than Irish whisky but it should be fine nonetheless.
Thank you for the quick reply.
I make homemade Baileys every Thanksgiving & Christmas.
So good thanks so much.
Nice! I bet your family and friends are very appreciative, too! Thanks for the 5 star review!
Just added a touch of almond extract. Otherwise , perfect for me!
Thanks Barry! Glad it was perfect for you!
I can’t wait to make it again!
Wonderful! Thank you!
Delicious
great
I made this for New Years, and it went over like gangbusters. I even had to make another store run to get more ingredients to make a couple more batches. I did sub out the half and half and used heavy cream, and OMG… It was sooooooo creamy and smooth. I also subbed out the Irish whiskey and used Korbel brandy to lose the whiskey bite. I think I must have made about 5 gallons and bottled it up for friends. Thanks for the recipe. So easy and sooooooo gooood!!!!!
I made this for New Years, and it went over like gangbusters. I even had to make another store run to get more ingredients to make a couple more batches. I did sub out the half and half and used heavy cream, and OMG… It was sooooooo creamy and smooth. I also subbed out the Irish whiskey and used Korbel brandy to lose the whiskey bite. I think I must have made about 5 gallons and bottled it up for friends. Thanks for the recipe. So easy and sooooooo gooood!!!!!
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad this went over like gangbusters! And that you even had to make a run to the store to make more batches! I love hearing comments like this one. Thank you for taking the time to give feedback! And wow, 5 gallons…you have lucky friends!