Homemade Baileys Irish Cream

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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! 

Homemade Baileys Irish Cream - Make in 1 minute averiecooks.com

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.

Homemade Baileys Irish Cream - Make in 1 minute averiecooks.com

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.

Homemade Baileys Irish Cream - Make in 1 minute averiecooks.com

Recipe Ingredients 

Here’s what you’ll need to make this homemade Baileys Irish cream recipe: 

  • Irish whiskey
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Half and half
  • Chocolate syrup 
  • Vanilla extract
  • 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.

Homemade Baileys Irish Cream - Make in 1 minute averiecooks.com

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. 

Homemade Baileys Irish Cream - Make in 1 minute averiecooks.com

Recipe FAQs

Can I Use Regular Coffee Instead of Instant Coffee Granules? 

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. 

What Type of Whiskey Should I Use? 

I used Jameson whiskey in my homemade Baileys recipe, but any Irish whiskey will do. 

What is Irish Cream?

Irish Cream is a type of liqueur made with heavy cream, whiskey, sugar, and flavorings.

what does Irish cream taste like?

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.

What are some ways to use Baileys?

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.

If you need more inspiration, just read food blogs the week before St. Paddy’s Day. Or Google “Baileys desserts” for 2.8  million ideas. My idea is to pour a little jigger and sip happily.

Does Baileys need to be refrigerated?

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.

Homemade Baileys Irish Cream - A homemade DIY version that takes 1 minute to blend & is a dead ringer for the real thing!

Tips for Making Baileys Irish Cream

Sweetened condensed milk: Make sure to buy sweetened condensed milk and not evaporated milk. Sweetened condensed milk is much thicker and sweeter and won’t water down the Baileys. 

Vanilla: For the best flavor, I recommend using pure vanilla extract and not the imitation kind. I like using imitation vanilla in some of my baked goods, but for this Baileys recipe you want the real stuff. 

Half and half vs. cream: You’re welcome to use either half and half or heavy cream in this Irish cream liquer recipe. Don’t use regular milk though, otherwise your Baileys won’t be creamy enough. 

Chocolate syrup swap: You’re welcome to use a sugar-free chocolate syrup, if desired.

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! 

Drinks Using Baileys Irish Cream 

Now that you know how to make Irish cream from scratch, it’s time to enjoy it! Some ideas for repurposing this Baileys Irish cream recipe include: 

  • Santa’s Magic Potion (Eggnog and Bailey’s) — Not sure what to mix with eggnog? Baileys, of course! This creamy eggnog cocktail mixes the two to create a holiday drink you’ll love! 
  • Creamy Chocolate Martini — Everything is better with Nutella, including these martinis that go down so easily! The Frangelico adds hazelnut, cinnamon, and vanilla notes, while the Baileys Irish Cream provides richness and creaminess. 
  • Frozen Mudslide — These frozen mudslides are decadent dessert-like drinks made with three types of alcohol for a slightly boozy milkshake with an abundance of chocolate syrup!
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! 

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4.53 from 106 votes

Homemade Baileys Irish Cream

By Averie Sunshine
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! 
Prep Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 1 minute
Servings: 4 cups
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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

Recipe intended for those whom alcohol consumption is appropriate. Always drink responsibly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 731kcal, Carbohydrates: 82g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 75mg, Sodium: 218mg, Sugar: 80g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Originally posted March 14, 2013 and reposted March 17, 2021 with updated text.

About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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Comments

  1. I had all these ingredients on hand and figured I had two spare minutes, so what the heck. Yum. I have a major sweet tooth and felt the need to add a tablespoon of sugar, but the flavor was spot on. Makes an excellent Irish Coffee! Thanks for the idea.

    1. Don’t wait for the holidays. Make it tonight! Haha!

      I hope you love it as much as I do! And thanks for pinning!

  2. I saw this on Pinterest and it called out to me. I love Baileys but have never tried making it!

  3. This one really taste very clsoe to the original, I tried several other copycat recipes and never really got a satisfying result, this one was very easy and GOOD!

    I used it in the power blender with some banana and ice cubes -it made the perfectBanana-bailey-smoothie.

    Thanks for sharing.

    1. Glad you approve and thanks for coming back to LMK you tried it – with a banana sounds like a great idea!

  4. Homemade Bailey’s–my husband said something along the lines of Oh that’s darn good! He asked me what all was in it and is certain he can make more for himself tomorrow. It tastes like the real stuff to me–and so quick! Great recipe!!

    1. Thanks for coming back to LMK you tried it and that it’s even husband-approved & that he thinks it tastes like the real thing!

  5. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, Averie! Please do stop by with a batch of this Irish creme…we can listen to Tori and discuss the fabulousness of the 90’s. :D

    1. I would love to stop by with a batch. How FUN would that be to listen to Tori and drink Baileys and we could cook something decadent together. If only we didn’t like 2500 miles apart! Thanks for the Pin, too!

  6. I just made this using Jack Daniels because that’s what I had. I’m giggling, not because I’m buzzed (which will be truth verrrry soon) but because it’s sooo good!

    1. So glad to hear you’re giggling, happy, and pleased (and hopefully by now buzzed!). Trust me, I’ve been loving it too :)