Everyone LOVES Baileys… and this homemade version is the BEST! Made with just 5 ingredients and ready in no time, it’s our favorite Irish Cream recipe. Even better than store bought! It’s perfect for adding to coffee, drinking on the rocks, or using in all your favorite cocktail recipes. Once you try it, there’s no going back!

I’ve always been a fan of Baileys Irish Cream. I mean… what’s not to love? It’s sweet and creamy and SO easy to drink, and it’s a key ingredient in some of my favorite cocktails.

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So when I found out I could make Homemade Baileys!?! You better believe I was all about it. And to this day, it’s my FAVORITE Irish Cream of all.

This recipe is incredibly easy to make – with just 5 ingredients – and it turns out perfect every time. It’s creamy, boozy, and not overly sweet… and I love that I know exactly what’s going into it.

If you love Baileys as much as I do, this is one of those recipes you definitely have to try. And best of all… it makes a great gift, too!

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🥃 Ingredients

I LOVE easy recipes, and this is just about as easy as it gets. It’s made with just 5 simple, real ingredients:

2 c. 80 proof whiskey – I used Jameson and would recommend Irish whiskey, but any 80 proof whiskey will work
2 c. half & half – I used regular half & half, but you could also substitute fat free half & half for a lighter Irish cream
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
2 oz. coffee liqueur – I used Kahlua because it’s one of the most common. Every coffee liqueur has its own unique flavor and will mildly impact the overall flavor
1 Tbsp. instant coffee granules – since I don’t use instant coffee on a regular basis, I bought a box of individual serving instant coffee packets which worked out perfectly

📋 Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a large carafe and stir.
Refrigerate until chilled.

🥥 Recipe variations

As with any recipe, the nice thing about making things homemade is that you can vary things up according to your tastes! Here are some of my favorite substitutions for this Irish Cream… feel free to share your ideas in the comments!

Substitute Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk to make it vegan
Use American Whiskey such as Knob Creek, Jim Beam, Seagram’s 7, or Jack Daniel’s
Substitute your favorite coffee liqueur for Kahlua
Use fat free half & half or combine regular half and half with milk for a lighter Irish Cream
Add 1/2 tsp. vanilla, mint, or almond extract (or any extract of your choice)

🥚 How to make Irish Cream with eggs

Personally, I prefer this recipe to any recipe made with eggs. Not only is it easier to make, without the risk of contamination from raw eggs, but it keeps much longer in the fridge. However, there are some people who love the extra creaminess that eggs offer. If you’d like to try it, combine the following ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth:

2 c. Irish whiskey
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 c. heavy whipping cream
4 eggs
2 Tbsp. chocolate syrup
1 tsp. instant coffee granules
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract

☕️ Recipes using Irish Cream

In addition to drinking it straight up or on the rocks, there are SO many fun ways to use Irish Cream in cocktails and desserts! Here are some of our favorites, all of which would be amazing using this homemade recipe!

🍸 Related drinks

Strawberry Shortcake Martini – made with Baileys Strawberries & Cream
White Russian – made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream
Espresso Martini – made with vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup
Chocolate Strawberry Martini – made with chocolate liqueur, strawberry vodka, and half & half
Irish Mudslide – made with Irish Cream, Irish Whiskey, coffee liqueur, and half & half