Homemade Irish Cream

Yesterday I shared how I made homemade chocolate syrup. I actually made that specifically to use in today’s recipe – homemade Irish cream! This is a ridiculously easy recipe that makes me question buying Bailey’s ever again. It tastes better, you can make as much as you need, and adjust how much whiskey (or any other ingredient) is in it. Want a really strong drink? Add more whiskey. Want something a bit sweeter? Add more chocolate syrup and less whiskey.

Use it to make a superb Irish coffee, white Russian, or enjoy it on the rocks. And, as with my last homemade liquor, I found a way to incorporate it into baking. Look out tomorrow for some cupcakes that are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day! (Update: check them out out – Irish Coffee Cupcakes!)

Recipe:

Homemade Irish Cream

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 14 ounce sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 1/3 cup Irish whiskey (I used Jameson)
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract

Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend for 1 minute. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to one month.

53 Comments on Homemade Irish Cream

  1. Wheels
    March 9, 2011 at 11:53 am (13 years ago)

    I swear, almost everything you post makes me want to move home and move in with you so I can eat all your yummy food!

    Reply
  2. Stephanie
    March 9, 2011 at 2:00 pm (13 years ago)

    Wheels – This actually made me lol. Yay! So glad you’re enjoying my blog. I’ll try to save you some Irish cream 🙂

    Reply
    • Janet Mcgilvray
      July 22, 2015 at 9:24 pm (9 years ago)

      In your Copycat Irish cream recipe what do the C and T ‘s stand for ????? Cartons or cups….Teaspoons or tablespoons can you be more specific in your recipe s please?

    • Stephanie Saunders
      July 23, 2015 at 9:27 am (9 years ago)

      The post has been updated with clearer instructions. Enjoy!

  3. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking
    March 9, 2011 at 3:04 pm (13 years ago)

    My mother enjoys a White Russian once in a while, and I know she would flip for this! Wonderful recipe. I should make this for her sometime! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. Becky
    March 9, 2011 at 5:47 pm (13 years ago)

    I love Bailey’s and coffee. I have to make this, so much more economical.
    Even my dog is named Bailey, because she is the color of Bailey’s Irish cream
    Becky recently posted Spicy Coconut Soup with Broccoli and Shrimp

    Reply
  5. Becky
    March 9, 2011 at 5:49 pm (13 years ago)

    I love Bailey\\\’s and coffee. I have to make this, so much more economical.
    Even my dog is named Bailey, because she is the color of Bailey\\\’s Irish cream
    Becky recently posted Spicy Coconut Soup with Broccoli and Shrimp

    Reply
  6. Cooking Rookie
    March 9, 2011 at 5:56 pm (13 years ago)

    Ok, I’m saving this to my favorites, it should be so good. And I’ll send it to Stumble Upon too, to share the joy. LOVE your revipes :-).
    Cooking Rookie recently posted Coleslaw- Sweet Coleslaw

    Reply
  7. Stephanie
    March 9, 2011 at 6:17 pm (13 years ago)

    Georgia – I hope your mom enjoys it!

    Becky – love the name. My rabbit is named after a food too – Cinnamon, my favorite spice and the color of her fur when we got her (she’s a bit darker now).

    Cooking Rookie – thank you for adding this to Stumble Upon! I really appreciate that 🙂

    Penny – great question. Based in my research, it looks like this will last up to one month if stored tightly covered in the fridge.

    Reply
  8. Mika
    March 9, 2011 at 11:08 pm (13 years ago)

    Oh, I love irish cream! This is a wonderful recipe and I’m sure it is so much better than the original…
    Mika recently posted Käsespätzle

    Reply
  9. Cakewhiz
    March 10, 2011 at 1:45 am (13 years ago)

    This looks so easy to prepqre and is perfect for st.patty’s day!

    Btw, i am going to be making your spinach lasagna tomorrow….so excited 😀
    Cakewhiz recently posted Marshmallow kabobs

    Reply
  10. Medeja
    March 10, 2011 at 2:17 am (13 years ago)

    I love Irish cream.. Great idea to make it at home 🙂

    Reply
  11. Peggy
    March 10, 2011 at 2:47 am (13 years ago)

    I love what you’ve done with the chocolate syrup! You’ve reminded me that I haven’t had a White Russian in forever and that I need to make this irish cream pronto!
    Peggy recently posted Meyer Lemon Poundcake Cupcakes

    Reply
  12. Liz
    March 10, 2011 at 4:22 am (13 years ago)

    I’ve toyed with making this as Christmas gifts….I’m going to do it now! Excellent post!!!
    Liz recently posted Orange Pull-Apart Coffee Cake

    Reply
  13. Celia
    March 10, 2011 at 5:16 am (13 years ago)

    Such genius! I often use Irish Cream in cocktails…but this look so delicious it could stand on its own. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. Stephanie
    March 10, 2011 at 7:23 am (13 years ago)

    Cakewhiz – Hope you enjoy the lasagna! Let me know how it turns out.

    Liz- This would be a great Christmas or hostess present! Easy to make but I think people would be impressed.

    Reply
  15. Jess @ littlegirlbigappetite
    March 10, 2011 at 2:18 pm (13 years ago)

    You have absolutely made my day! and my bfs too since I just mentioned this to him. I am almost out of Baileys, well Emmets actually it was a bit cheaper. I was contemplating on buying another bottle which is still $16, but now I can make my own thanks to you! BTW, how long do you think this would last in the fridge?

    Reply
  16. Stephanie
    March 10, 2011 at 3:28 pm (13 years ago)

    Jess – should last up to one month covered in the fridge. Enjoy!

    Reply
  17. Lindsey at Burn Me Not
    March 11, 2011 at 7:02 pm (13 years ago)

    I am literally an hour late reading this post… I just bought a bottle of Bailey’s! I’m definitely holding onto to this recipe for the future. Thanks for sharing!
    Lindsey at Burn Me Not recently posted Banana Whoopie Pies

    Reply
  18. Keith
    March 12, 2011 at 4:00 pm (13 years ago)

    This recipe sounds fantastic! I just ran out of Bailey’s, and I think this is going to be my replacement.
    If it’s alright with you, I’m going to cover this recipe (and my attempts at making it) on my cocktail blog. Thanks again for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
  19. hannah
    March 16, 2011 at 7:39 am (13 years ago)

    oh man, i really could use that right now.

    Reply
  20. Shawna Wilkinson
    December 19, 2011 at 5:28 pm (12 years ago)

    Absolutely love it! I made some for our home as well as many for gifts. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  21. Codi Carpenter
    January 22, 2012 at 7:47 pm (12 years ago)

    Is there a way to make this non-alcoholic?

    Reply
  22. Justin
    February 21, 2012 at 6:35 am (12 years ago)

    This is great! A friend used your recipe for both the syrup and the irish cream and they came out fantastic! It was so good I’m going to give them a go…thanks 🙂

    Reply
  23. Perry
    February 24, 2012 at 8:42 am (12 years ago)

    Is this a little thicker than Bailey’s Irish Cream

    Reply
    • Stephanie
      February 24, 2012 at 8:44 am (12 years ago)

      @Perry – yes, it’s thicker than Bailey’s.

  24. Jody
    May 2, 2012 at 9:39 pm (12 years ago)

    And now I know what I’m making for my mom for Mother’s day! She loves Baileys, but rarely buys it. Just need to find a nice bottle for it now…. 😀

    Reply
  25. richard
    November 18, 2012 at 6:11 am (11 years ago)

    Hi Stephanie,
    The recipe calls for heavy cream. Do you use wipping cream or do you use the cream with less fat

    Reply
    • Stephanie Nuccitelli
      November 18, 2012 at 9:15 am (11 years ago)

      Richard, I think either heavy cream or whipping cream would work just fine.

  26. Angela
    November 19, 2012 at 11:11 am (11 years ago)

    Question, does the “T” stand for tablespoon or teaspoon? Also, how large of a jar (how many ounces) should I buy to put this in? I’d love to make a few of these to hand out as Christmas presents!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Stephanie Nuccitelli
      November 22, 2012 at 1:07 pm (11 years ago)

      Angela, uppercase “T” = tablespoon, lowercase “t” = teaspoon. It makes a little over 30 ounces. Enjoy!

  27. Czyzler
    November 21, 2012 at 4:03 pm (11 years ago)

    I really enjoyed your homeade chocolate syrup recipe. I used it today. I make our Irish Cream very similar, but add a little kick to it. This is the recipe that floats around my family. Give it a shot.

    2 C heavy cream
    14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
    1 1/2 C Irish whiskey (Jameson)
    1/2 C Everclear
    2 T chocolate syrup
    2 tbs instant coffee
    1 tsp vanilla extract
    1/2 tsp almond extract

    Reply
    • Stephanie Nuccitelli
      November 22, 2012 at 1:19 pm (11 years ago)

      Czyzler, that sounds like it has a nice kick to it! Thanks for sharing your recipe.

  28. Amy
    November 29, 2012 at 3:18 pm (11 years ago)

    Can I substitute the whiskey with anything to still get the taste?

    Reply
  29. Bailey
    December 2, 2012 at 10:35 pm (11 years ago)

    Hello! I was wondering where you got the glass bottles for the Bailey’s? I can’t seem to find those exact ones anywhere and now I’m just obsessing.

    Reply
  30. Ashley
    December 4, 2012 at 9:43 am (11 years ago)

    Omg me too! Where are these jars? jugs? bottles? What would you call them? I NEED them for Christmas and I can’t find them anywhere!

    Reply
    • Stephanie Nuccitelli
      December 4, 2012 at 2:53 pm (11 years ago)

      Bailey & Ashley, unfortunately I bought the bottle at a local grocery store and I haven’t found anything similar online. I’ve used bottles like this one for other homemade liqueurs.

    • Stephanie Nuccitelli
      December 4, 2012 at 3:48 pm (11 years ago)

      Ashley, that’s awesome!! Thanks for sharing the link with us! 🙂

  31. Susan
    August 8, 2013 at 6:30 am (11 years ago)

    We will try this for sure, sounds great!!

    Reply
  32. Timothy Perkins
    November 11, 2014 at 10:06 pm (9 years ago)

    Your recipes make me fat just from reading the ingredients, looks like I’m making this as the weekend 🙂

    Reply
  33. Christina
    July 22, 2015 at 8:26 am (9 years ago)

    This is probably stupid question from a (up till now) tea totaller . Do you add something to it or do you drink it straight? Help!!!

    Reply
    • Stephanie Saunders
      July 22, 2015 at 9:24 am (9 years ago)

      You can drink it straight, add it to coffee, or make cocktails with it. Whatever you prefer!

  34. Kathy
    December 28, 2015 at 1:44 pm (8 years ago)

    I have a friend who uses dark rum instead of Irish Whiskey. Have you ever tried that?

    Reply

5Pingbacks & Trackbacks on Homemade Irish Cream

  1. […] you want more cocktail inspiration, check out my recipes for homemade Irish cream, citron vodka, and limoncello. I also made cupcakes out of the homemade liquors too (of course);  […]

  2. […] for more Irish recipes for St. Patrick’s Day, check out my Irish coffee recipe and my (surprisingly easy) recipe for homemade Irish cream, which I used to make Irish coffee […]

  3. […] DIY gift ideas: Cookie mix, chai tea mix,  Irish cream, or make a rainbow out of melted […]

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