Baileys Irish Coffee – Perfect Recipe for A Creamy Winter Warmer
This Baileys Irish Coffee recipe is a perfectly indulgent treat for the cold season: try it as a comforting winter drink during the holidays.
It may be because a drink that mixes coffee, cream, and a bit of an alcoholic kick brings together many of the things we love most in a treat, but we have no doubts: we love Baileys Irish Coffee!
Baileys Irish Coffee is a warming, comforting, relaxing drink perfect for the cold season, especially the Christmas holidays.
It is the perfect drink to have in front of a crackling fire when relaxing while waiting for Santa (we know we are not the only mamas who need to put their feet up on Christmas Eve!)., but it is also a great drink to accompany chats with friends while the rain or snow makes a home the best place for gathering.
Baileys coffee is a delicious spin on a classic Irish coffee, also known as Irish Cream Coffee. It is indeed popular in Ireland and abroad.
It can be served with or without the extra whiskey, depending on taste, and of course, the devilishly sweet finish of the chocolate dusting on top of the whipped cream is totally up to you!
Perfect for chilly evenings, this is a favorite for snuggling up with a book in front of the fire—a pure indulgence treat!
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What is Bailey’s Irish Cream?
Baileys Irish Cream is an alcoholic cream originally from Ireland.
Made with cream, cocoa, and a dash of Irish whiskey, Bailey’s Cream has a very smooth texture and a sweet, delicate taste that still maintains elements of whiskey but is softened by the additional ingredients and its texture to such an extent that it meets the taste requirements of non-whiskey drinkers.
You buy Baileys in ready-made bottles.
What’s the Best Irish Cream for Coffee?
There are different types of Irish Cream, but after many experiments, we found that the best Baileys for coffee mixers is the original!
Classic Baileys is excellent to drink on its own or on the rocks, but it also mixes deliciously well with coffee, as the two flavors complement each other beautifully.
Tools You Will Need for Making a Baileys Irish Coffee
To make the perfect Baileys Irish coffee, you want the following:
- Tall glass with a handle / Irish coffee mug
- Long stirring spoon
- Jigger
- Whip (for whipping cream)
- Coffee maker
Find all our favorite tools for your home cocktail bar here.
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Baileys Irish Coffee
A deliciously delectable after-dinner treat. Best served in a glass handled cup.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serve 1x
Ingredients
4 tablespoons Baileys
2 tablespoons Irish whiskey
1 cup freshly brewed filter coffee (or 2 shots espresso & top up hot water)
2 tablespoons whipped cream
Optional garnish with nutmeg, cinnamon or shaved chocolate
Instructions
- Brew coffee in your usual method
- Measure out the Baileys and whiskey into the glass
- Add your freshly brewed coffee and stir
- Top off with fresh whipped cream
- Optionally top off with chocolate, a light dash of shaved nutmeg or cinnamon
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Additional Time: 0 hours
- Cook Time: 0 hours
- Category: Cocktails
Alternative Methods of Making Baileys Irish Coffee
The recipe above follows the easiest possible process. However, variations on this basic method call for slightly less Baileys and can, therefore, be appealing if you are looking for a lighter drink.
Our favorite alternative recipe whips the Baileys with the cream rather than the coffee. This is a slightly trickier passage, as you must be careful not to un-whip the cream in the process, but it makes for a lovely, aromatic cream that is just delightful on your lips!
Other recipes we have found suggest additional sweeteners, such as brown sugar or maple syrup—it’s up to you, but we think the Baileys alone is sweet enough!
If you don’t have Baileys, you can also try Kahlua Irish Cream. By substituting Kahlua for Baileys, you’ll get a stronger coffee taste and a darker finish than the Baileys, though still sweet.
More for Irish Coffee Lovers!
- Love your Baileys? You can find all our favorite Irish Cream recipes here, we are particularly partial to the flat white Martini – check it out here!
- If you’re looking for more Irish drinks, or drinks that would suit a St Patrick’s Day celebration, check out this collection perfect for St Paddy’s Day.
- Whiskey lovers need look no further than our fabulous collection of whiskey-lover gifts.
Little Party Pixie advocates quality over quantity. Always drink responsibly!
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