Homemade Irish Cream Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in Baileys Irish Cream? ›

Baileys Irish Cream is an Irish cream liqueur made of cream, cocoa and Irish whiskey emulsified together with vegetable oil. Baileys is made by Diageo at Nangor Road, in Dublin, Ireland and in Mallusk, Northern Ireland.

Emulsifier: E471, Acidity regulator: E331.

Does Bailey's Irish Cream go bad or expire? Generally as long as you don't subject it to temperature extremes it will last well beyond the official 2 year "best taste before" date. Over time the taste will change and the liquid tends to go a bit darker but only really noticeable if you do a side by side comparison.

Now, you'll notice that this homemade drink contains dairy. This means that once you've made it, proper storage is key or you won't get to keep enjoying the drink for long. As a general rule of thumb, you can store your freshly made Irish cream for up to two months in the refrigerator.

The cream is combined with aged whiskey from some of Ireland's best distilleries along with luxurious vanilla pods and rich cocoa beans for the exclusive chocolate taste of Baileys. The making of Baileys follows the same process as making ice cream, with no artificial preservatives added to the formula.

The verdict

That being said, Kirkland's Irish cream lacked the hint of cocoa for which Baileys is known and loved. Baileys also boasts a more whiskey-forward flavor that may be preferred by fans of the brown spirit.

The acidic lime juice causes the cream-based Baileys to curdle. The curdled Baileys does not taste sour, but it does rapidly gain viscosity and stick to the drinker's teeth, reminiscent of cement.

Baileys can be easily mixed with all manner of beverages to make a simple, creamy drink. The only rule is to avoid citrus or anything with a lot of citric acid, which makes it curdle. That means avoid juices and soda.

Bailey's says its product has a shelf life of two years. The problem with an older bottle would be the fat in the cream going rancid.

Each bottle of Baileys will be stamped with a Best Before date that is exactly 2 years after it was manufactured. After the two year mark, the taste, texture and quality of the drink will slowly degrade - the speed at which it happens depends on how its been stored.

Does Kahlua go bad? ›

For Kahlúa Original, we recommend a shelf life of 4 years. Actually, the product will be good for many more years, but the coffee impact fades over time so it won't give you the full flavor impact. Also, if you were to receive an old bottle of Kahlúa, you have to make sure it has never been opened or tampered with.

Recipe Tip

Avoid curdling – I did some research as to ensure a life free of curdling and it's all about adding the alcohol slowly and being sure to use heavy cream. Alcohol is an acid so making irish cream with, say, whole milk will definitely break the milk, which could result in some serious coagulation.

Once you purchase Kahlua from a store shelf, plan to drink it within two years of the purchase date. If stored in a cool, dark place it may last up to four years! If Kahlua is stored in an area that receives direct sunlight or heat over time the flavor will be affected and potentially lose its rich coffee taste.

Homemade Bailey's can also be kept in an airtight and leakproof jar in the freezer. Shake well after freezing.

Enjoy over ice, in coffee or blended. *Baileys Deliciously Light - per 2.5 fl. oz. serving - Average Analysis: calories-139; carbs-9.3 g; protein-0.8 g; fat-3.7 g; sugar-7.8 g.

If so, you'll be pleased to learn that yes - Baileys does contain a minute amount of caffeine! Though it's not something many people tend to think about, having an understanding of what ingredients are in your favorite alcoholic beverage can help keep you safe and informed when enjoying it.

Baileys and Kahlua both complement a freshly brewed cup of coffee, but there are distinct differences between the two liqueurs. Baileys is creamy and derives its taste from cream, cocoa, and Irish Whiskey. Kahlua is dark without the creaminess of Baileys and is made with 100 percent arabica coffee, rum, and sugar.

Our Brands: Baileys

Baileys has been a pioneer in the cream liqueur category since it was created in 1974 and proudly leads it to this day.