Homemade Baileys Irish Cream

This homemade Baileys Irish Cream is rich, creamy, and ready in under a minute. It’s perfect for DIY Christmas gifts, adding to coffee and desserts, or mixing into festive cocktails.

I love edible Christmas gifts, like Italian biscotti or flavored salts. There’s something special about giving something you’ve made yourself, and this homemade Irish cream recipe has become a reader favorite over the years.

It’s incredibly easy to prepare. Everything comes together in the blender, and once it’s ready, you can pour it into small glass bottles and decorate them with one of my free printable labels.

Of course, you can enjoy it yourself, too! Serve it chilled or over ice, add a splash to your coffee or hot chocolate, or pour it over vanilla ice cream. You can also use it in brownies, cakes, or holiday cocktails. And if you’re planning a festive gathering, my cranberry mojito and pomegranate Moscow mule are two more drinks to try.

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

• Whiskey: I use Jameson, but another good-quality Irish whiskey will do. Some readers have tried bourbon, brandy, and flavored spirits. See their suggestions below.
• Cream: Heavy cream creates a richer texture, while half-and-half makes a lighter version. Regular milk is too thin.
• Sweetened condensed milk: Adds sweetness and creaminess. Evaporated milk won’t give the same results.
• Chocolate syrup: Hershey’s is my favorite, but any brand works, including sugar-free.
• Instant coffee: Choose regular, espresso, or decaf granules, depending on how strong you like the coffee flavor. You can leave it out if you prefer. The taste will be slightly different, but the recipe will still work.
• Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla is my preference. You can also try almond, peppermint, or orange extract. For a holiday twist, add a little cinnamon or pumpkin spice.

See the recipe card below for a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions.

How to Make Homemade Baileys

1. Blend the base: Add the cream, condensed milk, instant coffee, chocolate syrup, and vanilla to a blender. Blend on low speed for about 30 seconds.
2. Add the whiskey: Slowly pour in the whiskey while blending on low. Continue for a few seconds, just until combined.
3. Taste and adjust: Taste the mixture and add a little more whiskey, chocolate, or vanilla if needed.
4. Bottle and Chill: Pour into clean glass bottles with tight-fitting lids and refrigerate.

Elena’s Tip: Keep the blender on low speed. High speed can cause the cream to thicken or separate. If this happens, strain the mixture through a fine sieve and gently skim off any foam from the top.

How to Package Homemade Baileys for Gifts

Small glass bottles with tight-fitting lids are ideal. Decorate them with a ribbon, a handwritten tag with storage and serving instructions, and a sprig of greenery or holly for a festive touch.

The bottles in my photos came from Lakeland, but they’ve unfortunately been discontinued. You can find similar swing-top bottles at Target, kitchenware shops, or online at Amazon and Etsy.

Free Printable Labels

I’ve also created free printable Homemade Bailey’s Labels to decorate your bottles.

Here’s how to use them:

1. Print the labels on adhesive sticker paper.
2. Cut them out.
3. Peel off the backing and stick them onto your bottles.

Storage & Make Ahead

Store homemade Baileys in tightly sealed bottles in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. Shake well before serving. You can prepare it in advance for entertaining or Christmas gifts.

More Edible Gift Ideas

• Baci di Dama Cookies
• Homemade Vegetable Stock Powder
• Almond Chocolate Truffles
• Hot Chocolate Mix

If you’ve made this homemade Irish cream recipe, leave a comment and rating below. I’d love to know how it turned out for you.