Easy Homemade Vegan Baileys Irish Cream
This homemade vegan Baileys Irish Cream tastes just like the real thing! Made from easy-to-find ingredients, it has the signature creamy texture and flavor of original Baileys. Perfect for the holiday season! Dairy-free, gluten-free, and no coconut cream.
Why This Recipe Works
Folks, be prepared to do a little happy dance. I’ve got the perfect homemade Vegan Baileys Irish Cream recipe for you! After taking a mixology workshop this fall and getting busy in the kitchen, trust me, this is one well-tested recipe. It tastes so much like original Baileys no one will miss the dairy. Dark chocolate and notes of coffee delivered in a dreamy creamy texture might make this your favorite drink too! Here’s why this recipe works:
Easy to find ingredients. The simple ingredients can be found in your local grocery store or easily sourced online.
No special equipment needed. Pour the ingredients into a jar and shake. We can do that!
Does not separate. This Vegan Baileys does not contain coconut cream or coconut milk and will not separate, even after resting in the refrigerator.
I love it so much that I’m making a double batch to share at a cookie exchange this weekend. Cookies and a boozy drink? I’ll lift a glass to that! 💃🏻
Comparison Chart / Vegan Baileys vs Original Baileys
After doing a deep dive into Vegan Baileys, I’m happy to report that this recipe tastes very close to original Baileys. Take a look at the comparison chart below to see how they match up!
Taste- Enjoy the same luxurious chocolate and espresso flavor notes and semi-sweet richness of original Baileys without artificial undertones.
Texture – At room temperature, this recipe has the creamy texture of whole milk. Once refrigerated and served over ice, it has a richer mouthfeel, similar to half and half.
Color – With no artificial coloring, homemade vegan Baileys is a touch darker in color from the chocolate syrup and baking espresso powder.
Alcohol by volume (ABV) Our homemade vegan Baileys is 13.5% alcohol by volume and needs no additional mixers. Traditional Baileys is 17% ABV.
For a stronger cream liqueur, reduce the vegan half and half to 1 cup. This results in 16.3% ABV.
Preservatives – Vegan half and half is a perishable ingredient. So, you’ll need to store homemade Baileys in the refrigerator where it will keep for 2-4 weeks.
Separation - Woohoo! There is no need to shake the jar before serving or worry if your cocktail will separate in a chilled glass. All the ingredients emulsify beautifully.
Easy-to-Find Ingredients
You’ll find the complete ingredient list with measurements and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need plus some substitutions too.
Vegan Half & Half- For the most realistic flavor and texture use Oatly half and half. If choosing a different brand, make sure it’s plain dairy-free half and half and not a coffee creamer. Vegan coffee creamers have additional sweeteners and flavorings that will affect the flavor of your drink.
Other dairy-free options:
Coconut milk version- This will do in a pinch but….it will taste like coconut and may separate in the fridge. The only brand I’ve tried that doesn’t separate is Thai Kitchen Organic Full-Fat Coconut Milk.
Diary-free milk- While lower in calories (but hey, it’s the holidays and who’s counting?), dairy-free milk is much thinner than vegan half and half and will taste watery.
Homemade cashew milk is a whole-food option. Just keep in mind the texture will be slightly grainy.
Irish Whiskey- Choose your favorite Irish whiskey. I used Jameson Irish Whiskey in this recipe.
Agave Syrup- This sweetener tastes clean and dissolves quickly. Light corn syrup will work too. Maple syrup or simple syrup will thin your drink.
Dark Chocolate Syrup- I recommend Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Syrup which blends perfectly in cold liquids. I don’t recommend cocoa powder which does not emulsify easily in cold liquids.
Vanilla Extract- for depth of flavor.
Espresso Powder- Formulated specifically to dissolve in liquids, I use baking espresso powder.
Fine Sea Salt – An essential ingredient to make the flavors come alive!
How to Make Vegan Baileys Irish Cream (with photos)
When you’re ready to make this recipe, scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post. You’ll find the complete ingredient list with measurements there.
1. Pour all of the ingredients in a quart sized mason jar / bottle.
2. Secure the lid and give it a good shake until well combined and a uniform color.
3. Serve chilled, over ice, in a lowball glass.
How to Store
Vegan Baileys Irish Cream contains perishable vegan half and half as a main ingredient. So, it must be stored in a lidded jar in the refrigerator. Happily, whiskey acts as a mild preservative keeping it fresh for 2-4 weeks.
Helpful Tips
Trust the recipe. Use the ingredients listed in the recipe card if you can. Once you have that as a blueprint, feel free to experiment from there.
Serve chilled. The texture will be richer and thicker served chilled and over ice.
Fill your glass with ice cubes. A full glass of ice cubes (not crushed ice which will melt quickly) keeps your drink from getting watery.
More Delicious Creamy Drinks
As a Bonafide beverage junkie, I love nothing more than filling my cup with a delicious creamy drink during the cold winter months. It makes every day feel like a special occasion! Here are a few more recipes to sip on:
Skip the line at Starbucks and make your own Vegan Chestnut Praline Latte Recipe at home!
Enjoy Lavender Moon Milk as a before-bedtime treat.
Family-friendly Pina Colada Mocktail can easily be dressed up with light rum.
Vegan Chai Latte Recipe is both decaffeinated and delicious!
Boost your immune system while sipping on warm creamy Cashew Golden Milk.
I didn’t realize how much I missed Baileys until I started testing this yummy recipe! It’s so festive served over ice in a fancy rocks glass. I hope you get a chance to try it this holiday season. Bottoms up my friend!
🌲 Sending a giant hug from my mossy little corner of the globe,
Easy Homemade Vegan Baileys Irish Cream
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pour all of the ingredients into a quart-sized mason jar / bottle.
- Secure the lid and give it a good shake until well combined and a uniform color.
- Serve chilled, over ice, in a lowball glass.
Notes
How to Store
Vegan Baileys Irish Cream contains perishable vegan half and half as a main ingredient. So, it must be stored in a lidded jar in the refrigerator. Happily, whiskey acts as a mild preservative keeping it fresh for 2-4 weeks.
Helpful Tips
Trust the recipe. Use the ingredients listed in the recipe card if you can. Once you have that as a blueprint, feel free to experiment from there.
Serve chilled. The texture will be richer and thicker served chilled and over ice.
Fill your glass with ice cubes. A full glass of ice cubes (not crushed ice which will melt quickly) keeps your drink from getting watery.
For step-by-step instructions with photos, scroll up to blog post!
Nutrition Facts
Calories
290Fat (grams)
1 gSat. Fat (grams)
1 gCarbs (grams)
26 gFiber (grams)
0 gNet carbs
26 gSugar (grams)
20 gProtein (grams)
2 gSodium (milligrams)
219 mgCholesterol (grams)
0 mgNutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators.
