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; then it will be received with big smiles. Plus, it’s perfect for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration!
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 Baileys is creamy and delicious!
- It’s super easy to make, so it’s 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!
Ingredient Notes
- Half and Half or Heavy Cream – I prefer heavy cream (it should have at least 36% butterfat); half and half will have slightly fewer calories.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – Eagle Brand (affiliate link) is my go-to brand.
- Irish Whiskey – Jameson’s recommended.
- Instant Coffee – A store brand works fine, or look for a small jar (affiliate links) from Amazon.
- Chocolate Syrup – Hershey’s brand (affiliate link) is a staple at our house.
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure Vanilla Extract (affiliate link), never imitation, as the results will be subpar. Make sure the label says real vanilla extract, not artificially flavored.
How to Make
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 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 sterilized, 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, homemade Kahlua takes weeks, and Limoncello takes days. Homemade Baileys Irish Cream can be ready to serve in minutes. Plus, 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, then add a festive label and a ribbon to make a lovely holiday gift. I’m not crafty at all, but even I can create holiday packaging for liqueurs with some simple supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Baileys is a cream liqueur that’s a sweetened spirit that’s been hydrogenized with cream making it smooth and velvety. Baileys is flavored with whiskey and cocoa extract.
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 as what you can purchase in a liquor store.
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 a month or up to 2 months if you use a sterilized container.
Homemade Baileys should always be shaken before serving. You can sip on it chilled or on ice or use it in cocktails.
Try it in shooters, martinis, Irish coffee, hot cocoa, or milkshakes.
You May Also Like
- 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 Steak Sauce from The View from Great Island
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 ⅔ 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 a recipe on Chow message boards.
Makes 4 cups.
Use sterilized jars (run through the dishwasher). Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 182Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 54mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 0gSugar: 20gProtein: 3g
81 Comments on “Homemade Baileys Irish Cream”
This in some coffee would be the most perfect way to end a meal. What a treat for someone to receive this as a gift. I’m so glad it is super easy and quick to make.
I love Baileys so am eager to try this.
Thanks for the recipe and for the chance to win!
Yay! I just put up 15 bottles of homemade vanilla and am going to do some Kaluha 🙂 This will fit right in!
Big fan of Baileys but never thought about making it. I have made Kahlua 🙂
Those containers would be great for making gifts such as ingredients for cookies!
I can’t believe you can make baileys! This is fantastic, and I love your sticker label!
I’d use the Glass Wire Bale Jars and fill them with homemade cookies to give to all my neighbors and friends! I’d paint snowflakes on them to add a nice holiday touch!
Love Baileys! Love to drink it – love to share it!
What an easy gift to make and one that everyone will enjoy. 🙂
I had no idea that you could make Baileys or Kahlua! You Rock! I would feel special to get such an amazing gift homemade in just the right bottles! thanks for sharing
What a great giveaway!
You have the best recipies!
Oooo – I love stuff like this!! I’ve made the Baileys in years gone by – what a great idea to package it in those beautiful bottles for gifts. Have a great conference. I’m off to check out all the other homemade gift ideas….
Thanks for the great ideal, Liz!! I have a few neighbors that would love this special treat! Especially thank you for the bottle/container link, always looking for somewhere to buy supplies.
PattiNC
thanks for sharing those beautiful giveaways.
Your bottles look absolutely gorgeous, Liz…nobody would know your secret (how easy it was)! And yes, making homemade Irish Cream is one of my favorite liqueurs to make since it comes together in mere moments – great party trick ;).
I’m making granola, so I’d used the Legacy Mason jars for pretty gift containers.
Sounds easy and delicious. Would be perfect in the bale wire topped bottles!
Yay! Canadians too!!! Yay!
I love home made gifts; I was just thinking how I’m going to have time with all the work I’ve got going these days. I’m going to have to get going sooner than later. The Irish Cream sounds wonderful and perfect for the holiday season with all the parties going on. I love it I my coffee instead of milk.
What a great recipe Liz! Love homemade gifts that are so simple and beautiful! The glasses are so pretty and this is such a fun and cute idea 🙂 Pinning and can’t wait to try this, thanks for sharing and hope you have a great weekend 🙂
The Baileys would be such a fun gift! I’d have to get some of those wire bale bottles, they’d be great for everything from your Baileys to chive vinegar:@)
What a terrific giveaway! I can think of so many ways I’d use that beautiful glassware.