This is the iconic sweet, creamy liqueur that has a kick.
Although it may not be as popular as Chartreuse, creme de cassis, or classic, Irish cream is still a great choice for a home bar, especially if you love Irish-ing your coffee or making a creamy dessert. In 1973, it was not invented by an ingenious bartender or home distiller in Ireland’s green hills. Instead, it was developed by the research and development section of a London-based wine and spirits distribution firm. It was created to appeal internationally with excess alcohol and cream. The result was Baileys. One of the inventors said that the entire process took approximately 45 minutes using a blender. It worked. It was a huge success. Cocktails like the Mudslide, the B52, and the lewdly-named Blowjob were popular.
There are many Irish cream brands today. Are you looking for the perfect Irish cream? These are the top Irish creams you can buy right now.
Baileys Overall Best
ABV: 17%
It is made with Irish cream (from real Irish cows), Irish whiskey and other spirits, and chocolate and vanilla flavors. It is creamy enough to be enjoyed on its own, with a few ice cubes, in a cup of coffee or drizzled over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Best Budget: Saint Brendan’s
ABV: 17%
This Irish cream is made in Derry with real cream and The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey. It was named after Brendan of Clonfert (a sixth-century traveling Irish monk) who traveled the Atlantic Ocean looking for the Garden of Eden. He discovered an island and had a close encounter with a sea monster.
This liqueur is a great alternative to Baileys. It retains Baileys’ chocolatey notes and creamy body, making it a good choice for budget-minded people. You can either add it to iced coffee or keep warm on long ocean voyages inspired by the spirit’s saint namesake.
Five Farms Irish Cream is the Best Treat
ABV: 17%
This Irish cream can be easily identified by its ceramic swing-top cap and milk bottle-shaped container. It is made for true Irish cream lovers looking for a more craft product. Five Farms billed as “farm to bottle”, uses cream from five family-owned farms in Ireland’s County Cork. The brand claims it can mix the cream with Irish whiskey in less than 48 hours after the cream is collected. Their Irish cream contains a higher percentage of whiskey than other brands. This makes it more flavorful and gives the cream a warm, spicy taste. This bottle is a great option if you love Irish cream after dinner.
The Whistler Blenders Select is the best for sipping
ABV: 20%
This liqueur was created at the Boann Distillery, a family-owned distillery in County Louth. It is made using single-pot still Irish whiskey, which is whiskey made at one distillery that uses a pot still. It’s 40 proof, making it one of the strongest Irish creams available. This cream is full of whiskey flavors and weight. It’s a great choice for people who find Irish creams too sweet. The whiskey is a great complement to the chocolate flavors and creamy texture. It should be chilled. Pour it into a heavy lowball and then sip slowly.
Kerrygold is the best for cocktails
ABV: 17%
This Kerrygold is the same company that makes Irish butter and cheese. It stands to reason that they are familiar with dairy. Although it was launched in 2014, the Irish cream product already has a loyal following.
Carolans is the best for coffee
ABV: 17%
This liqueur was created just a few decades after Baileys in 1978. It uses honey instead of cane sugar.
Baileys Almande is the best non-dairy
Baileys’ non-dairy Baileys version is made with almond milk and vanilla. It is well worth a try. It is delightfully warm and cozy, thanks to its almond milk base. The liqueur is different from Baileys to make it interesting while still maintaining the unmistakable Baileys essence.
Although still creamy, this liqueur has a lighter texture than its full-dairy sibling, making it great for cocktails. This liqueur is great in classic coffee-based cocktails, but it also works well with fruit. It can be used in a White Russian, mixed into iced coffee or blended into a frosty Pina Colada.