This homemade Baileys recipe is the perfect addition to your morning coffee, delicious served over ice cream for dessert and perfect over ice for sipping.
Did you know it takes less than 5 minutes to make this Copycat Baileys Irish Cream at home (and the flavor is amazing)!
A bottle of DIY Irish Cream makes for easy and delicious Christmas gifts (although you’ll want to make a double batch to save some for yourself too)!
Start by pouring the Irish Cream into mason jars or glass bottles. Seal tightly and tie with a ribbon. Be sure you let the person know that they have to keep it in the fridge (and not under the tree).
Ingredients for Homemade Baileys
You need only 5 ingredients to make this homemade Baileys Irish cream.
Sweetened Condensed Milk thickens and sweetens the mixture.
Light Cream makes this creamy of course and helps balance out the sweetness of the condensed milk. You can use coconut milk or even heavy cream if it’s all you have (add a bit of milk to thin it out if needed).
Whiskey is the alcohol in this recipe. Of course, Irish whiskey (like Jameson) is ideal but really, there is no need for a fancy whiskey. An inexpensive brand works just as well (in a pinch you could even use vodka).
Flavor Instant coffee (or instant espresso) and pure vanilla extract add flavor. Some recipes add a touch of cocoa powder, almond extract, or chocolate syrup. We think this recipe is perfect as is.
To Make Irish Cream without Alcohol
Irish cream contains alcohol but this copycat Baileys recipe can be made without alcohol. Skip the whiskey and add a teaspoon or so of rum extract or whiskey extract. Brands can vary so add a little bit at a time until you reach the desired flavor!
How To Make Baileys
Irish cream is super easy to make, place all of the ingredients in a large bowl (per the recipe below) or pitcher and whisk to combine. Voila, homemade Baileys!
Storage
As long as your cream is fresh, homemade Baileys will last about 2 weeks in the fridge.
If giving this as a gift, leave a note to ensure your recipients refrigerate it.
Recipes to Spike with Irish Cream
Homemade Baileys can be served over ice or added to cocktails or coffee. Poke some holes and drizzle a little over cakes or cupcakes.
- Homemade Hot Chocolate
- Baileys Brownies (with Bailey’s frosting)
- Copycat Shamrock Shake
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Irish Coffee
- Affogato (ice cream & espresso)
- Homemade Eggnog
Did you love this Irish Cream Recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Copycat Baileys Recipe (Homemade Irish Cream)
Ingredients
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces
- 2 cups light cream or half and half
- 1 cup whiskey
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Shake to mix well. Chill at least 24 hours before serving.
- Store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Beverage, Drink, Drinks
Cuisine American, Irish© SpendWithPennies.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. Please view my photo use policy here.
This easy recipe is inspired by versions in the McNab Family Cookbook, a little self-published cookbook. The book contains 3 homemade Irish Cream liqueur recipes in my little book with different ingredients (raw eggs, chocolate syrup, and rum). I combined the parts I liked best to create this delicious recipe.
I have made this multiple times. The first two times I did 13.5 oz (400ml) whiskey and 6.7 oz (200 ml) alcohol free cinnamon whiskey, + 1 (12 oz) can 2% evap milk and 8 oz low-fat milk. This last batch did the same with the exception of the alcohol was 2.5c (591ml) Jim Beam Fire. It was a little too strong and would probably cut it back a little or add more milk.
That sounds delicious! I am glad you enjoyed it, Doris.
very tasty
I just made this Bailey’s Irish Cream. I didn’t think it was so easy to do. It is one of my favorites and I am definitely going to be making some for gifts. Thank you for this super recipe.
Looked at the ingredients and thought this would be way too sweet.
Yes it is sweet but OH SO good.
I had vanilla bean paste so used that.
I had scotch whisky so used that.
Was going to give as gifts but way too good!!
Merry Christmas
So glad you loved it, Liz!
Yummy. Ultimately I added 1T chocolate syrup per batch. A girls gotta have chocolate with her whiskey!!
So happy you enjoyed it, Diane!
Thanks for this recipe! I lost mine from several years ago and this looks close, but without the chocolate syrup, of which I will add just a little. The past couple of years my Irish neighbor has kept my/our supply fully stocked this time of year, but she passed in June and I’m going to be the one to make it.This year in going to try it with spiced rum since I have a full 1.5 liter bottle. What do you think about spiced rum?
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your neighbor. I hope you love this recipe and it makes you think of her as you enjoy it! I think it would be lovely with spiced rum. Let us know how it goes!
Made it for Thanksgiving , turned out wonderful .
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Deborah!
Can this be made with prepared coffee? I never buy instant.
How would the portions of ingredients change?
I haven’t tried it that way but I’m sure you can use a bit of prepared coffee. You’ll want to brew it really strong so it doesn’t dilute the Irish Cream. Let us know how it goes!
What size bottle do I need to store this in?
Hi Alyssa, you will need a bottle that can store about 5 cups of liquid. You can also divide it among a few jars if preferred.
Can you make this with heavy cream? That’s all I ever buy.
Hi Tracy, that should work well. You will have to let us know how it turns out!
This is SO delicious! SO rich. Can I use this as a substitute for the commercial Bailey’s when needed for recipes? ….like your Bailey’s brownies recipe? Thanks!!!
I haven’t tried it but I can’t see why the Baileys wouldn’t work in the brownies Chey. Enjoy!
I would love to try it. I do not like coffee flavour, what’s a good substitute?
You could try a little bit of chocolate syrup (such as Hershey’s).
I can’t stand coffee. I’ve always made mine with tea.
Thank you for sharing Neesee! Interesting idea!