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Bailey’s has been the top name in Irish cream for over thirty years – most of us will think of it before we think of Irish cream liqueur.  You would order a Bailey’s rather than asking for an Irish cream liqueur, it so dominates the category.  But what is Bailey’s and what are the best Bailey’s cocktails to try?

What is Bailey’s Irish Cream?

Back in the mid-1970s, an Irish company called Gilbeys of Ireland decided to create a new type of alcohol that used products they had a lot of – alcohol and cream.  In 1974, they released the first Irish cream liqueur under the Name Bailey’s after a hotel in London called the Bailey’s Hotel.  It was named for a fictional character called RA Bailey.

The brand took off, both in the UK and in the US and there is now a whole range of flavoured Bailey’s drinks, all based on the original.  These include mint chocolate, coffee, hazelnut, salted caramel, strawberries and cream, and even a pumpkin spice variation!

Emilprichard [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

How to use Bailey’s

Because it is made with cream, Bailey’s is handled a little differently than other types of alcohol.  Here are a few of the common questions asked about Bailey’s.

Can you drink Bailey’s straight?

You definitely can drink Bailey’s straight and it is also nice with a couple of ice cubes in it.  With an ABV of 17%, it is much lower in alcohol content than something like gin or rum which is often 30-40% ABV.  So, this makes it a great drink to enjoy on its own without the strong sting of alcohol that some base spirits can give.

What mixer goes with Bailey’s?

Cream can curdle when it comes into contact with weak acids so this is things like lemon, tonic water, or even wine so this means you need to be a little careful in choosing a mixer.  Coffee is a natural pairing with it as well as hot chocolate.  You can also add ice cream if you are looking for a tasty summer drink.

Do you chill Bailey’s?

Because it has cream in it, most people think you need to chill it to drink or store it but according to its makers, this isn’t the case.  You can simply store it along with other alcohol in the cupboard, although keep it out of sunlight and away from heat.

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How long can you keep Bailey’s once opened?

Bailey’s does have a shelf life because of the cream in it.  According to the makers, it will have a guaranteed taste for two years from the day it was made, whether it was opened or unopened as long as you keep it cool and away from the sun.

Tasty Bailey's Cocktail Recipes

Check out some of the most delicious ideas for recipes you can make with Bailey's

Tasty Bailey’s cocktails

There’s no doubt that these are just a few of the tasty Bailey’s cocktail recipes out there to try.  And you can always try substituting the normal Bailey’s for some of the flavoured ones to get slightly different variations – for example, try the chocolate bailey’s in the Chocolate Peppermint Stick Cocktail for an even more chocolatey version!

What’s your favourite way to drink Bailey’s?  And have you tried any of the flavoured ones?  Tell us below!

Bailey’s Boozy Milkshake

Do you love Bailey’s? How about milkshakes? If you answered yes to both of those questions, then you’re going to love this recipe. It combines two of your favorite things into one delicious drink. Best of all, it’s easy to make. You only need a few ingredients, and you probably have most of them in…

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