What is sweet, creamy, and goes down easily? Don’t be green, folks; we’re talking about Baileys’ Irish Cream! We often find this tasty liqueur in major supermarkets and liqueur stores. For those who haven’t tried it, you’re probably wondering, “What does Baileys taste like, and how is it popular for its flavors?”
Quick Answer: As the name suggests, it’s creamy with more of a vanilla flavor that works incredibly in sweet chocolate-flavored drinks and desserts. It’s a lovely, milky, and somewhat chocolatey drink for children.
However, keep reading to learn the exact flavors of Baileys Irish Cream and see how to use it for your following recipes!
What Is Baileys Irish Cream Made Of?
Note that this article will focus on the original Baileys Irish Cream. This liqueur was invented by Thomas Jago in Ireland back in the early 1970s, featuring Irish whiskey, cocoa, and cream.
Jago’s goal was to create a drink with an international appeal, and he decided to work with Gluckman to create a new concoction: Cream and whiskey.
Can you believe that Jago owned a money-losing distillery in Ireland that produced too many whiskeys? Since he had access to cheap cream, he decided to mix those two, and here we are!
Fun Fact: The idea of mixing dairy with alcoholic beverages originally came from Gluckman, who helped the Irish butter and cheese brand Kerrygold in the early 1960s. Gluckman didn’t only add cream and whiskey but decided to add sugar and powdered drinking chocolate. (*)
According to Bailey’s website, their original Baileys Irish Cream liqueur contains whiskey, spirits, cream, and chocolate flavors. However, more flavorings are added to Baileys’ expanded line of drinks. There are exotic flavors and even a vegan liqueur using almond milk over cream.
Sourcing Ingredients:
Baileys is very careful about choosing the best ingredients for their drink. They make sure to pick high-quality grains and fresh spring water to make the Irish whiskey, which is the main ingredient. They also get top-quality cocoa beans to add a little chocolate taste. And for the creamy texture, they select fresh cream from local dairy farms.
Blending Process:
Baileys has a special way of mixing everything together to make their drink taste just right. They have experts who combine the whiskey, cocoa, and cream in specific amounts. They use modern equipment to blend it all together, making sure it’s smooth and consistent.
Aging and Maturation:
After the blending process, Baileys isn’t ready to be enjoyed right away. It needs some time to rest and develop its flavors. They keep it in oak barrels, where it slowly changes and becomes even better. This aging process gives Baileys more depth and makes it taste richer. The length of time it spends aging can vary, but it’s an important step in making Baileys taste so good.
So, Baileys takes great care in choosing the best ingredients, blending them perfectly, and letting them age to create the delicious Irish Cream that people love.
Fun Fact: Over 82 million bottles of Baileys Irish Cream are sold in more than 150 countries. And that number is just by the YEAR! It holds the top spot as the bestselling liqueur worldwide.
What Does Baileys Irish Cream Taste Like?
Let us tell you about Baileys, a drink that many people really love. It’s not just because it tastes amazing; we have a story to share that will show you why it’s so special.
Imagine being in a cozy winter setting, with snow falling gently outside and a warm fire crackling in the fireplace. When you sip Baileys Irish Cream, its creamy sweetness wraps around you, making you warm and happy.
It’s like a special treat that makes the cold weather more enjoyable. Baileys is like magic in a bottle that can take you to moments of pure happiness.
After taking the first sip, you’ll want a lot more. People are hooked on the creamy and chocolatey goodness Baileys offers, which tastes like chocolate milkshakes with alcohol.
Besides the vanilla and chocolate flavor notes, you can also taste the hint of fruitiness from Irish whiskey.
The aroma itself is enticing. Pour a bit of Baileys Irish Cream, and you’ll get to smell more chocolate and cream, almost as if you were drinking spiked hot chocolate.
The best part is that you can enjoy Baileys in different ways—whether you like it on its own, mixed into fun cocktails, or used to make delicious desserts.
What Does Baileys Go With?
Here are other famous cocktails featuring Baileys:
- Mudslide
- Chocolate Martini
- White Russian Cocktail
- Irish Coffee
- Baileys Float
- Irish Cola Drink
- Bailey’s Beach Baby
- Baileys on the Rocks
Fun fact: Bartenders and cocktail connoisseurs consider Baileys too sweet and simple, but it continues to be an extremely popular liqueur worldwide. Many cocktail recipes feature Baileys; you can enjoy it as an after-dinner drink.
Where Do You Use Baileys When Cooking or Baking?
Baileys isn’t only used for drinks but in desserts as well! The liqueur is more popular come Christmas because it gives more warmth and sweetness to many holiday desserts.
Here are some of the recipes you can use Baileys in for extra creaminess and flavor:
- Baileys Irish Cream Cheesecake
- Tiramisu
- Fudge
- Parfait
- Affogato
- Trifles
- Brownies
- Ice cream (either infuse Baileys or blend it with ice cream to make a mean milkshake)
- Yule log
And here’s the great news: you can easily buy a bottle of Baileys without spending too much, usually between $20 and $25. So why not treat yourself and experience the joy of Baileys?
Are There Any Good Baileys Alternatives?
If you’re not a fan of Bailey’s or can’t find it in your store, there are other cream liqueurs you can use from brands like:
- Amarula
- Grappa
- Magnum Cream Liqueur
- Arran Gold
- Mozart Rose Gold Chocolate Cream
Fun fact: Our favorite is Mozart Rose Gold Chocolate Cream, made of real Belgian chocolate, cocoa from West Africa, fresh cream, and vanilla from Madagascar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you left with other questions about Baileys’ Irish Cream? Here are our frequently asked questions!
Does Baileys Irish Cream Taste Good?
You can get more Baileys liqueurs to suit your palate and recipe. They all taste as creamy as the original Irish Cream but have various flavors. Chocolate Cherry, Vanilla Cinnamon, Salted Caramel, Espresso Crème, and even Pumpkin Spice!
Is it okay to drink Baileys straight?
You can enjoy Baileys straight up, served neat, or over ice. However, enjoying drinks like hot chocolate, coffee, or milk is better.
Does Baileys get you drunk?
Yes, It’s can suddenly creep up on you!
Wrapping It Up
Hopefully, you got your answer to the question, “What does Baileys taste like?” While we described the OG Irish Cream, you can expect the other liqueurs under Baileys to taste somewhat similar.
The company offers so many other liqueurs that it takes time to pinpoint their exact flavors in one article! But we can make an ultimate guide if you want to learn more about each liqueur type.
