Homemade Caramel Bailey’s Irish Cream
Smooth, creamy homemade Bailey’s Irish cream spiked with buttery caramel and an extra splash of whiskey.
Guys, Christmas is only 5 days away.
I don’t know what your situation is like, but I’m knee deep in sugar, flour, and butter over here. There’s glitter on the floor that refuses to come clean. When the sun shines through the window, my house shimmers like a disco ball. The cat won’t leave the candy canes on the tree alone. The dog knocked red wine off of my coffee table with his tail (I was trying to self medicate), splashing red drops all over my cream-colored sofa.
Someone pass me the booze!
*Glug*
Okay, all better.
I believe that booze was created to alleviate holiday stress. Drinking is the only way to make it through the holidays with some shred of sanity. So, in honor of the holidays and all the crap that still needs to be checked off of the to-do list, let’s have a drink.
This recipe for homemade caramel Bailey’s Irish cream will have you forgetting about that pesky to-do list in no time.
Now, I know you have a ton of crap to accomplish, so I won’t take up too much of your time. This cocktail only takes 5 minutes to throw together, and, even better, you’re going to save a ton of money making this at home. How much? Oh, only about more than half the cost of what you would spend at the liquor store. Boom, money saved!
Make room on your list, because this recipe is worth the 5 minutes of effort.
I’ve made homemade Bailey’s in the past, but none of the recipes compare to this version. I added caramel to give it that toasted, buttery flavor that I love so much. You think caramel is great in coffee? Wait until you swirl together with some whiskey—magic!
The mixture is velvety smooth and creamy–think a thicker version of chocolate milk, only with booze. The espresso powder adds a subtle hint of coffee flavor in the background and the caramel adds toasted, buttery notes while also sweetening up this cocktail perfectly.
Here’s what you will need:
- Half and half
- Whiskey (Seagram’s 7 or Jameson)
- Chocolate syrup
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Caramel (homemade or store-bought)
- Instant espresso or coffee powder
- Vanilla extract
Pay close attention because it’s about to get complicated. Grab yourself a big pitcher, dump everything in, and give it a swirl. Pour over ice and serve. Boom—homemade Bailey’s.
I slapped cute tags on a few jars and gifted them to coworkers this year. Let’s just say that I’m now the favorite at work. Booze has that affect on people.
Homemade Caramel Bailey's Irish Cream
A creamy cocktail made with half and half, caramel, a hint of espresso, and a splash of whiskey.
Ingredients:
2 cups half and half
1/4 cup chocolate syrup (such as Hershey’s)
1 teaspoon instant espresso or coffee powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup caramel sauce
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup whiskey (such as Seagrams or Jameson)
Directions:
Mix all of the ingredients in a large pitcher. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Serve over ice.
34 Comments on “Homemade Caramel Bailey’s Irish Cream”
This looks absolutely delightful! I love baileys, but with caramel it sounds divine! Pinning!!!!
Dyyyyyying for this, Jenny!
The holidays are totally a crazy time of year but this would make it so much better!
My husband would love this! Pinned!
Thanks for pinning, Brandie.
Have you tried canning this so you wouldn’t need to refrigerate until opened. I want to make and send to family at Christmas and think it would ship better but not sure with it having 1/2 & 1/2.
Hope you still look at responses to your old post.
I have a homemade Baileys recipe on my site too but not with caramel. Omg that sounds SO GOOD. I need to try this! Pinned!
Thanks for pinning, Averie! The caramel adds a delicious sweet, buttery flavor. It was love at first sip.
Oooh! I love that you created a caramel version of homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream! We really need this in our lives right now. Thanks for sharing, my friend. Pinning (of course)!
You really do need this cocktail, Stacy. It’s so dang good. Thanks for pinning!
Homemade Bailey’s?! With caramel in it?! You have officially won my heart :)
Thanks, Carla. Maybe one day we’ll chat over a glass. Happy New Year!
I need to try this. Sounds delicious. I share it at my FB. :D TY for sharing!
Thanks for sharing, Zei.
This sounds great. Going to use BlackVelvet Toasted Carmel for the whisky. Will let you know how it comes out. Tx
CARAMEL bailey’s!?? whoooa!
It’s so good, Kayle. One of my very fav cocktails to date.
Making this as a late x-mas present. When I saw the idea of caramel I thought, ” this is the recipe for me.” Anyhow, I don’t know if this will work instead of adding caramel, but how about adding 1/2 cup of Dulce de Leche which is kind of a caramelized condensed milk. I’m gonna buy 1 can of DdL and 1 can of regular condensed milk and make a double batch. Will see how that comes out. Also have some strange idea of adding reduced Guinness syrup in some small quantity.
Laura, I think the dulce de leche is a wonderful idea. I would replace the caramel and sweetened condensed milk with dulce de leche. Oh, and that reduced Guinness sounds magical. Let me know how it turns out.
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Hmmm, I don’t drink so I’m going to have to find a way to make this virgin…it looks SO GOOD!
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This may sound stupid, but what do you mean by ‘2 cups half and half’? (a very shy) Thanks :)
Half and half can be purchased in the dairy isle. It is an equal mixture of cream and milk. The recipe calls for two cups of this. Happy mixing!
Hi Dhall! No need to feel shy around these parts. Like Julie mentioned, half and half is equal parts milk and cream. In the States, the half and half is located in the dairy isle. If you’re unable to locate half and half, you can use whole milk instead.
how long is this drink for, like how many days can it be stored?
Hi Sam! I like to mark my bottle with the expiration date of the half & half. That’s how long your Irish cream should stay fresh in the refrigerator. Happy sipping!
thanks for the recipe how many pint jars will one recipe make. hoping to give this a gifts for my friends
Hi Geri! Thanks for stopping by. This recipe should make 4 pint-size jars.
Caramel sauce recipe please can you use melted Caramel candy thanks
Hi Geri, I use this recipe for homemade caramel: http://themessybakerblog.com/2012/01/28/caramel-sauce/. I wouldn’t use the candy caramels for this recipe. I’m not sure if the consistency is right for this recipe. They’re better for baking. If you prefer not to make your own caramel, I would use a good store-bought caramel sauce. Happy cocktail making!
I NEED to make this since they quit making regular Caramel Baileys…. Why????
welp, i snorted myself some meth and’duh de’cided i wantedsome more booze n’stuff. i sent mi little girl to the store and she came back with alot of stuff whipped up some of the juice. we sat back and drank it down smoked a few bags and passed out on the couch. we gotta clean up the trailer but, it was nice talkin to ya.