This recipe can be made with or without alcohol but this is the copycat which is a dead ringer for the popular Baileys Irish Cream with alcohol
I have used it to flavor Irish Cream Pies, In My Oreo Candy Truffles, and even Irish Cream Cupcakes and this wonderful liqueur is often a favorite during the St. Patrick's Day holiday in various mixed cocktail drinks.
This can be stored for up to two months in the refrigerator and don't forget to shake it to combine the wonderful flavors every time you serve it as it tastes great in an after-dinner coffee or over ice.
The recipe is super simple and will is done in no time plus the bonus of it being a lot less money to make in your own kitchen.
All you need is a blender and a few ingredients to get this party started.
Scroll down to this easily printable recipe and take a peek at the video to see just how easy this is to make.
Bailey's History and Irish Cream
Irish cream is a very popular liqueur often served on its own over ice, mixed into cocktails, or used in desserts and some candies.
It is made of Irish whiskey, creams, chocolate, and include other flavorings ingredients such as coffee and vanilla
Over the years many other flavor additions have been created and I will give you those alternatives in the recipe card below.
Baileys was the first Irish cream to appear, in this style of liqueurs in 1973, and while the exact recipe is a well-kept secret, we do know that Baileys opts for cocoa extract, the sweetness of sugars, and alongside the whiskey and cream.
Since its invention 45 years ago, it still remains the most sold and popular brand as there are several others who make this and compete with the original Bailey's Irish Cream.
Ingredients You Will Need
- heavy cream
- canned sweetened condensed milk
- Irish whiskey or vodka (for non-alcohol use whole milk or half and a half)
- chocolate syrup
- instant coffee or espresso granules
- pure vanilla extract
- almond extract
Optional Copycat Flavors
- Replace the instant coffee with Kahlua
- Add orange extract and extra chocolate syrup
- Add cream of coconut and coconut milk instead of creams used
- Add caramel sauce or topping and half the sweetened condensed milk
Recipes We Love
Homemade Amaretto
Homemade Limoncello
St. Patrick's Day Recipes
Tips
- Use only heavy cream or this will not be creamy enough
- Do not over mix or it will curdle
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months
- Mason jar, decorative bottles or recycled wine bottles are great for storing
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Vegan? Try This Version:
(Use same instructions below in the recipe card)
2 - 14-ounce cans coconut milk1/2 cup brown sugar
1 and 1/2 cups Irish Whiskey
2 teaspoons cocoa powder (Unsweetened)
1 teaspoon instant espresso coffee
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Yield: 4 cups

Homemade Irish Cream Copycat
Homemade Irish cream is with just a few ingredients and I also have some optional copycat flavors to try like Caramel and Coconut Cream liqueurs. Done in 30 seconds in a blender and just pour over ice you will have a delicious cocktail in minutes that taste like the real deal!
Prep time: 10 MCook time: Total time: 10 M
Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 14- ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 2/3 cup Irish whiskey or vodka (for non-alcohol use whole milk or half and a half)
- 2 tablespoon of chocolate syrup
- 1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee or espresso granules
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- Note: Options:
- for a Caramel, Bailey: add 1/2 cup caramel sauce and 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk 1/4 cup chocolate sauce and only 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For orange chocolate: add orange extract instead of vanilla and 4 tablespoons chocolate syrup
- For Coconut Liqueur: add coconut extract instead of vanilla and use cream of coconut instead of condensed milk and coconut milk instead of heavy cream
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and set on high speed for 30 seconds.
- Using a funnel, add to a pretty decorative glass bottle, tightly sealed, and refrigerate.
- Shake before using it.
- It will keep for up to 2 months.
- Note: I always store mine in the refrigerator.
- Add a splash to coffee, perfect in desserts, pour it over ice cream, or sip it on the rocks.
- See my mixed drinks recipes included in the posting.
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Try Some Of Our Other Favorite Recipes
How To Make Homemade Extracts
How To Make Homemade Pantry Staples
Disclaimer: This is a copycat recipe, it’s not the original Baileys Recipe and this recipe was posted in 2011 and edited and re-published in 2020.
cheers,your liquer have a great consistency,and the cookies are a great accompaniment!
ReplyDeletebest thing about home made drinks... is that you can make it stronger! :)
ReplyDeleteClaudis, am I invited for this? What a perfect touch! Thanks for sharing. Hope you're having a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Kristy
I have made Irish cream and it is grand. I want to sit by the fire and sip your liquer and have a bite of your cookie.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh how rich is that one!! Love the cookies. perfect combo Claudia. Thanks again for nominating my blog on Babble ♥
ReplyDeleteThese cookies look simply dreamy, Claudia. Just the thing for a St. Patrick's Day party dessert ... served with Irish coffee, me thinks!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to try to make my own. I'm going to bookmark this page. Love those cookies, too. You are very ecumenical, lol.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't image te make irish cream at home:)
ReplyDeleteI like it!
Have a nice evening! Barbara
I LOVE Irish Cream Liquor and I've heard that you can make it at home, but never have! This is a keeper recipe, Claudia! And girl, your photos are getting better and better and BETTER! Thank you for this recipe!
ReplyDeleteSounds delish! Thank you for the kind birthday wishes. Blessings, Catherine
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're off to a good start for St. Paddy's Day!
ReplyDeleteI don't have to look any further for my St. Patty's treat...The drink and the cookies sound so yummy good! Thanks, Claudia! :)
ReplyDeleteYou sure know how to tempt a girl...both look scrumptious!
ReplyDeletelovely presentation
ReplyDeleteI'll have one of each please! So scrumptious.
ReplyDeleteDelicious and stunning presentation and photos!
ReplyDeleteI tried this one at home, but did not reach to the level you have made it. You and your recipe are beatless. Jagermeister drinks
ReplyDeleteSo that's how it's made...my friends and family will be in for a real treat. Thanks friend ;o)
ReplyDeleteI'm leaving with a good chunk of your cookie too ;o)
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
Happy St. Patty's! I always indulge in a nice Irish cream!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness girl, you should know better then to teach me how to make my own drinks! ;) These cookies look great and so does your Irish cream.
ReplyDeleteHomemade Iris Cream Liqueur?! I want...Fantastic :)
ReplyDeleteThe Irish cream looks just sinfully good. Excellent job. ;)
ReplyDeletewho knew that it was so easy to make Irish cream!?!?!? Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. I'm going to try it soon.
ReplyDeletehttp://veroitaliano.blogspot.com/
lovely presentation with the flowers regards
ReplyDeleteWhat fun making your own irish cream drink! I have saved this for St Patricks day celebration-yum!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to try this! Thanks for the recipe...I never would have thought of making it from scratch.
ReplyDeleteMy mom just gave us a bottle of Baileys she didn't want the other day - looks like I've got a new cocktail to try with it!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so delicious, what a great cocktail! Love the four leaf clover cookie too! :)
ReplyDeleteWow that's incredible....I'll drink to that!
ReplyDeleteThose look divine!
ReplyDeleteWorth every single calorie!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious and perfect with that drink!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous recipe! I love having fresh Irish cream on hand, I can always find a multitude of thing to use it in!
ReplyDeleteI never knew I could make this at home. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing! I would love one on the rock :-)
ReplyDelete