Irish Cream
Irish whiskey blended with cream, condensed milk, cocoa, coffee and vanilla into a smooth, sweet liqueur. A homemade version of the shop-bought bottle, made in five minutes.
How to Make Irish Cream
Tap a step to highlight it, or turn on Cook Mode for large type and step-by-step focus.
-
Put the whiskey, condensed milk, cream, chocolate syrup, dissolved coffee, vanilla and almond extract, if using, in a blender.
-
Blend on low speed for 30 seconds, until smooth and evenly mixed. Do not blend for longer, or the cream may thicken.
-
Pour into a clean, sealable bottle or jar.
-
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before drinking, so the flavours can blend and the liqueur chills.
-
Shake well before each use and serve over ice, or stir into coffee.
Tips for Making Irish Cream
- Blend for only 30 seconds. The cream can thicken or turn buttery if it is blended for longer.
- Shake before serving. The mixture may separate slightly on standing, and a good shake brings it back together at once.
- Use a good Irish whiskey. It gives the liqueur its character, and cheap whiskey makes a harsher, less mellow drink.
Common Substitutions & Variations
- Double cream won't whip if you swap it, but for the cooking itself, full-fat crème fraîche or a lower-fat single cream works in its place.
What to Serve with Irish Cream
- Hot coffee
- Vanilla ice cream
- Chocolate brownies
Storing & Reheating Irish Cream
Keeps in a sealed bottle in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If it smells sour, discard it. Do not freeze.
Irish Cream FAQ: Common Questions
How long does Irish Cream take to make?
About 10 minutes of hands-on work — 10 minutes of preparation and of cooking — plus 1 hour of Chilling, so allow 1 hour 10 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 14.
What are the key tips for making Irish Cream?
Blend for only 30 seconds. The cream can thicken or turn buttery if it is blended for longer. Shake before serving. The mixture may separate slightly on standing, and a good shake brings it back together at once. Use a good Irish whiskey. It gives the liqueur its character, and cheap whiskey makes a harsher, less mellow drink.
What should I serve with Irish Cream?
Hot coffee; Vanilla ice cream; Chocolate brownies.
Can Irish Cream be made ahead or frozen?
Keeps in a sealed bottle in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If it smells sour, discard it. Do not freeze.
Is Irish Cream suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free and low-carb. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Irish Cream?
About 213 kcal per serving, with 2 g protein, 17 g carbohydrate and 11 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Irish Cream Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
Cooked this? Leave a review
Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.