How to Make Homemade Irish Cream ~ this diy Irish Cream is a perfect copy cat of one of my favorite liqueurs. It’s dangerously delicious, and ridiculously easy to make. Mix up a batch for for your friends this weekend!
I am so excited about this homemade Irish Cream, I couldn’t wait to press ‘publish’ — I found the recipe on one of my favorite blogs, Farmette, and Imen just happens to blog from the Irish countryside, so you know this is authentic! Sometimes I know from the minute I see a recipe that I have to make it and that it’s going to be fabulous, and that’s what happened with this one. Irish Cream has always been a favorite of mine, and this from scratch version tastes even better than the bottled stuff. As much as I love the original, there is something just a little sketchy about the idea of bottled cream. Fresh is way better. Get out your favorite Irish whiskey and some good fresh cream…and prepare to be amazed.
This is so simple and so good I’m not going to leave you hanging, I’ll get right to it. It’s a mixture of cream, whiskey, condensed milk, and touches of vanilla, instant coffee, and cocoa powder. It’s spot on, I wouldn’t change it in any way, and I highly recommend mixing up a batch for St Patrick’s Day. You can serve it on the rocks, in a White Russian, or in an after dinner coffee. I like it straight up in tiny vintage cordial glasses.
For more DIY liqueurs try my ultra-rich HOMEMADE PUMPKIN LIQUEUR, or, my HOMEMADE NUTELLA LIQUER. For a lighter, fruitier experience, my HOMEMADE FRUIT LIQUEURS ~ these fresh fruit infused vodkas make great cocktail mixers.
This homemade Irish Cream a must make for the holidays!
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp instant coffee or instant espresso
- 1/2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup Irish whiskey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Put a tablespoon of the cream in a bowl and add the espresso and cocoa powder. Mix these together until both powders are completely dissolved and there are no lumps.
- Add the rest of the cream, while stirring, or gently whisking.
- Add the whiskey, vanilla, and condensed milk and blend everything well.
- Pour the mixture into a bottle with a top, and refrigerate until needed.
- This will keep in the fridge for at least a couple of months, and probably longer, but I'm pretty sure you will polish it off before then ;)
Make it your own ~
- Lighten this up by using half and half instead of heavy cream.
- Add more espresso or more cocoa powder to change the flavor profile.
Don’t forget to pin this Homemade Irish Cream Liqueur!
30 Comments
Deborah
March 17, 2019 at 3:54 pmCan I eliminate the instant coffee and just add actually made coffee; hate buying a whole jar of instant for just one use.
Sue
March 18, 2019 at 6:21 amI suppose you might try that, using espresso or very strong coffee.
Mary
October 28, 2017 at 1:13 pmHello Sue, it was asked, but don’t see the answer. Once made how long does it last in the refrigerator? Thank you.
Sue
November 14, 2017 at 3:33 pmThis will last for up to 2 months, Mary, if you can stay away from it that long ;)
John Wood
May 22, 2017 at 4:02 pmI tried it and it’s not bad but next time I think I’ll use about half the Coffee. Being and old paddy Irishman,I’m here for the whiskey not the coffee. Coffee is for another time of day. But I will try again .
Sue
May 22, 2017 at 4:07 pmGood to know John, I think it can be tweaked in several ways. The next time I make it I am going to use less heavy cream to see if I can lighten it up.
Mary
October 28, 2017 at 1:15 pmOops never mind, I failed to read the whole recipe.
Pauline
March 6, 2017 at 3:20 amHow long does this last in the refrigerator?
Sue
November 14, 2017 at 3:35 pmAbout 2 months, Pauline.
Cat
March 4, 2017 at 11:28 amWhat brand of Irish whiskey did you use? This looks very yummy!
Sue
March 4, 2017 at 12:12 pmI think I used Jameson Cat.
Sandra Barker
December 25, 2016 at 11:07 amsounds yummy
Mary Lynn Meyer
November 29, 2016 at 4:14 pmHow long would this last (not from drinking but from turning sour) in the fridge? Can’t wait to try this – looks amazing!
Sue
November 14, 2017 at 3:36 pmIt should last up to 2 months, well chilled, Mary Lynn.
Judith
March 17, 2015 at 10:56 pmThe BEST! We made it tonight for a quiet Saint Patrick’s Day treat. Smooth and delicious…a perfect blend. No more Bailey’s for me.
Sue
November 14, 2017 at 3:36 pmI agree, the freshness of the real cream really makes the homemade stand out from the commercial stuff. Enjoy!
Maria|PinkPatisserie
March 16, 2015 at 11:55 amHomemade Irish Cream is by far the best stuff on the planet! Hands down better than you can get anywhere! This recipe looks gorgeous..
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
March 15, 2015 at 5:19 pmI love Irish Cream, how divine! I’m posting one more recipe tomorrow with Irish Cream so I’ll be sure to link to your homemade version :).
Sue
March 15, 2015 at 5:23 pmCan’t wait :)
Susan
March 15, 2015 at 8:19 amOh my, this sounds good, Sue! I am definitely going to try this because I love the store brand and can just imagine how much more fresh and delicious making your own would taste. I’ll have mine over 1 ice cube ;)
Sue
March 15, 2015 at 8:23 amThanks Susan, the freshness really is appealing!
Julia@Vikalinka
March 15, 2015 at 3:13 amI love Farmette too, Sue! What a handy recipe to have! Thank you for sharing. :-)
Betty
March 14, 2015 at 6:14 pmI have everything for making this except for the heavy cream, and if it wasn’t raining cats and dogs, I’d be in my car right now fetching some. Can’t wait! :)
Carol+at+Wild+Goose+Tea
March 14, 2015 at 4:54 pmI will always always read your blog, because I am that excited with this recipe. THIS is my all time appertif. I like it in my coffee. I like to use it recipes. OMG!!! If I wasn’t sitting—-and pooped from cleaning—–and rather mature—–I would be jumping up and down. Smiles——
Sue
March 14, 2015 at 5:17 pmhaha, I’m so glad Carol! Actually I just pulled my next recipe post out of the oven…Irish Coffee Cheesecake Bars…made with this Irish cream so stay tuned! I think you will love this, the flavor is so fresh compared to the bottled stuff.
Katy
March 14, 2015 at 2:21 pmYum! This will make great gifts for my Irish cream loving friends. Thanks so much
Sue
March 14, 2015 at 2:22 pmIt would be perfect to bring along to a St Paddy’s Day party :)
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
March 14, 2015 at 12:37 pmI can’t wait to try and make my own! It’s like an after dinner drink and dessert all in one lovely glass. Love the shamrocks :) Happy weekend my friend!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine
March 14, 2015 at 11:41 amWow, shamrocks and all! What a beautiful post and I don’t need St Patrick’s day to put this recipe to use. I’m sure it’s infinitely better than anything you can buy!
Sue
March 14, 2015 at 12:10 pmIt tastes so good, Chris. I had to stop myself from ‘testing’ too much too early in the day ;)