How To Make Copycat Bailey's Irish Cream

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Make This Delightful Liqueur At Home In Five Minutes

I was quite surprised to learn that Bailey's Irish Cream is a relative newcomer among liqueurs. It was developed in 1974 by a team at Gilbeys of Ireland.

The distillery was originally founded in 1857, and after over a hundred years of internal changes and mergers, it created Ireland's most renowned Irish liqueur.

Bailey's Irish Cream was introduced as the first-ever Irish cream liqueur on the market. The original recipe blended Irish whiskey, cream, sugar, cocoa, and vanilla, creating a smooth and creamy drink with a distinctive taste.

The liqueur's name was inspired by the Bailey's Hotel in London, and the "Irish Cream" name honors the drink's Irish roots.

Originally, only Irish whiskey was used in the production. Bailey's became immensely popular and is now enjoyed worldwide as a standalone drink, a cocktail mixer, and an ingredient in various luscious desserts.

How To Make Copycat Bailey's Irish Cream

It only takes a few minutes and ingredients to make this liqueur at home. This copycat version of Bailey's Irish Cream has vanilla, chocolate, and coffee flavors added to the whiskey and cream. I made a double batch because I was using it for gifts.

I found the cutest square swing-top bottles on sale at Hobby Lobby, but you can also find them at dollar stores or online. If you have ever shopped for Bailey's Irish Cream, you will quickly see that when you make your own, it is a huge money saver, and it tastes wonderful!

I used instant coffee because I got some fancy Starbucks as a gift! Dissolve the coffee in a small amount of water, or use some strong brewed coffee instead. Make sure it's cooled to room temperature.

You can use half and half, but I made my own with equal parts of heavy whipping cream and whole milk since I didn't have any. Now stir in the sweetened condensed milk and Hershey's chocolate syrup, coffee, and vanilla. I used Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate. You can add a little almond extract if you like!

Pour the mixture into a bottle or jar and refrigerate. Let the flavors blend for a day or two before using to let the flavors all get to know each other.

Shake well before using to ensure none of the goodies have settled in the bottom of the bottle. That's it, folks. It could not be easier!

Do I Need To Use Irish Whiskey To Make Bailey's Irish Cream

If you want to be a complete purist, by all means, do, but with all these flavors going on, it really doesn't matter if you choose a moderately priced bourbon like Jim Beam or Canadian Mist.

The key differences between Irish Whiskey and Bourbon are the ingredients and how it is distilled. I am no expert, and it comes down to personal preference that's developed over time.

Irish whiskey is usually made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and sometimes other grains such as corn or wheat. It's distilled three times in copper pot stills, imparting a smoother and lighter flavor. Irish whiskey is known for its smooth, light, and subtle flavors. It often has a hint of sweetness and less smoky, robust flavors.

Bourbon, like Jim Beam, is primarily made from at least 51% corn, along with other grains like rye, barley, or wheat. It's aged in new charred oak barrels, giving it a distinct sweet and robust flavor profile. The higher corn content can make it taste sweeter and richer, even a little spicy. You may pick up flavors like caramel, vanilla, and oak from the barrels used in the process.

Bottom line: use what you like or what you can afford.

What Are Some Ways To Use Bailey's Irish Cream

• Serve it on the rocks.
• Bailey's Irish Coffee: Add a shot of Bailey's to your regular coffee and top it with whipped cream.
• Bailey's Martini: Mix Bailey's with vodka and a splash of coffee liqueur for a creamy martini.
• Bailey's Milkshake: Blend Bailey's with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup for a delicious grown-up milkshake.
• Bailey's Hot Chocolate: Stir Bailey's into hot chocolate for a delightful adult treat.
• Bailey's Cheesecake: Use Bailey's in the cheesecake mixture for a rich and flavorful dessert.
• Bailey's Chocolate Truffles: Add Bailey's to the chocolate ganache filling for homemade truffles.

PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD

Yield: 28 ounces

Copycat Bailey's Iirish Cream

Print

A homemade copycat version of Ireland's most renowned liqueur, Bailey's Irish Cream.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tsp Instant Coffee dissolved in 2 Tbsp water, cooled to room temperature
• 1 cup Half & Half
• 1 cup Whiskey
• 1 14-ounce can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 2 Tbs Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

1. Mix the instant coffee with two tablespoons of hot water and let it cool to room temperature
2. Stir together the half & half and the whiskey in a bowl.
3. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk
4. Stir in the coffee, the chocolate syrup, and the vanilla.
5. Pour the mixture into a bottle or jar.
6. Let the flavors blend for a day or two before serving.
7. Keep refrigerated for up to three weeks.

Notes

You can also use 1/4 cup of cold, strong-brewed coffee

Make your own half-and-half with 1/2 cup whole milk and 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream.

Around the holiday season, it's sometimes fun to have some festive adult drinks like Cranberry Bourbon Slush or Festive Grinch Cocktail. Always drink responsibly, never drink and drive, and hosts, always be sure to have food available, and be ready to arrange a safe trip home for your guests!

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Love, GB (Betty Streff)

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