Homemade Irish Cream

While I was developing my recent recipe for Irish Cream Frosting, it dawned on me that a version for a homemade Irish cream liqueur might be a fun spinoff. So I went to work mixing a combination of ingredients, and, several glasses later, happily discovered that not only did it turn out delicious, it was a million times better than what you can find in the stores. Just to be sure, I even did a blind taste test with some experts - carefully selected for their Irish gene I might add - to see how it stood against a famous store-bought brand. And the verdict? This recipe won hands down! Requiring only a few ingredients, you can make a fresh bottle of this silky liqueur in just a pinch. And with St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, there’s no better way to celebrate the luck of the Irish than by sharing a generous round of it with those you love. In the words of the Irish, sláinte, which means cheers to good health!

***PS: I’m very excited to tell you that my recipe for Homemade Irish Cream (along with a little story) has also been featured in SAVEUR! Be sure to check out the article here, and then go make yourself a bottle to share with friends!

Kiss me, I’m a glass of Homemade Irish Cream!

Homemade Irish Cream

Yield: 3 cups

Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

1 c. heavy cream
1 tsp. instant coffee powder
1/2 tsp. cocoa powder
3/4 c. Irish whiskey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

1) In a medium-sized bowl, make a smooth paste by mixing 1 tbsp. of cream with the instant coffee and cocoa powder.
2) Slowly add the rest of the cream and whisk until the coffee and cocoa has fully dissolved, and then incorporate the remaining ingredients.
3) Mix well and pour into a bottle. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks, and when ready to enjoy, serve chilled in a tumbler glass over ice  (typically in portions of 2.5 fl.oz./75 ml. per ice cube).

Gifting Idea:

Package this gift up in any sort of bottle with a 3 cup-capacity (or a smaller size if you, ahem, want keep a little bit for yourself). For a rustic look, use a flip top. Or, for an environmentally friendly alternative, recycle a wine or beer bottle and cap it with a cork.

Homemade Irish Cream: A decadent drink to raise a toast to for any occasion!