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Thursday, March 10, 2011

Homemade Irish Cream Liquor

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner. I have looked at this recipe several times and always wondered, "Could this possibly taste like the real thing"? Many years ago I worked in a restaurant where one of the waitresses always drank Bailey's in her coffee. The rules at the place were pretty relaxed, so I am sure she could have been drinking straight up whiskey and nobody would have cared. Being a fan of Bailey's myself I wondered if it was even possible to get a buzz from Bailey's? Soon after that I joined in on the habit and can honestly say it never had an impact on my work performance, I'm not sure I can say the same for my waistline.
Homemade Bailey's is another story. I whipped up a batch of it to see if it might be good for a St. Patrick's Day treat. I poured myself what I would consider my average size serving, maybe three or four standard shots over ice. I was amazed by the flavor and how much it really did taste like the real thing, although I did notice a distinct whiskey flavor that you don't get with the commercial stuff. It was really good though, went down smooth and probably a bit too fast. Within 30 minutes I wasn't feeling so hot and decided to put aside the rest of my baking for the evening and just call it an early night. The next morning I woke up with my first hangover in years. The verdict: very good, but very potent. Be careful with this stuff, it will knock you off your feet if you are used to regular old wimpy Bailey's and coffee.

Homemade Bailey's Irish Cream
inspired from here, here, here, here, and here.
1 cup heavy cream
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 2/3 cups Irish Whisky (adjust this to your taste and tolerance, I will personally add only 1 cup next time)
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
3 tablespoons bittersweet chocolate chips, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Combine all the ingredients in a quart canning jar or other storage container. Using an immersion blender mix until well blended. You can also use a regular blender and transfer the ingredients to a jar for storage. I personally couldn't live without my immersion blender.
Put the lid on your jar and refrigerate, or serve immediately over ice. Will keep refrigerated for up to one week (if you are good).

10 comments:

  1. :D
    I looove Baileys too, but I have never made it myself. And I think I had never seen chocolate added, this intrigues me... I must try it.

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  2. The chocolate was my was of improvising. Most recipes called for Hershey's syrup and I didn't want to buy a whole bottle for the 2 teaspoons called for.

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  3. I remember playing with cream liquors a few years ago. If you like maple syrup, you can make something very yummy with just whisky, maple syrup and heavy cream (and maybe some milk).

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  4. This look amazing My son (have 16) really love Baileys so he really would love this, nice recipe. Thanks for stopping by! love your blog and I love where you live and you know I live in Chile in the other side of the world (he,he) huggs gloria

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  5. Looks great, have to try it, I've never made homemade liquor.

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  6. This looks great ... i've been meaning to try making this myself for a few years now and have not yet done it ... I'll give u'r version a try!!!

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  7. Wow, great recipe, this looks really good!

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  8. We're going to a St. Patrick's Day/Spring Equinox potluck on Friday night, and my contribution to the St. Pat's side of things will be this recipe. I can't wait to try it!

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  9. foodperestroika- I have heard of the maple liquor, this is a great time of year to give it a try.

    Gloria- I dream of visiting Chile one day. I love where you live too. Good to see you here.

    Carol- It's pretty easy, you should give it a try.

    Trisha- Let me know how it goes.

    Maria- Thanks.

    Dani- Enjoy, be careful if you're driving. It's some potent stuff.

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  10. People are so impressed when they try homemade Irish Cream at my house. I usually make a small batch of homemade chocolate syrup instead of buying a bottle. It's super-easy--cocoa, sugar, water, vanilla, salt. The bittersweet chocolate sounds interesting, though--I'll try it next time.

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Thank you for stopping by and sharing your comments.