Baileys Irish cream is a popular liqueur made with whiskey, cream, and other ingredients. Many people enjoy Baileys over ice, in coffee drinks, or on its own as an after-dinner drink. But some may wonder – does Baileys contain cream or milk? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients in Baileys Irish cream.
The Main Ingredients in Baileys
According to the Baileys website, the main ingredients in Baileys Original Irish Cream are:
- Irish whiskey
- Cream
- Cocoa and chocolate flavors
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Carrageenan (a thickener derived from seaweed)
So right away we can see that Baileys contains cream as a primary ingredient. The cream used in Baileys comes from dairy cows in Ireland. Fresh Irish cream has a high fat content, which gives Baileys its signature creamy texture and mouthfeel.
Does Baileys Contain Milk?
Even though milk is not listed in the ingredients, Baileys does contain some milk content. This is because there is a small amount of milk fat contained within the Irish cream.
During the production process, sweet cream is separated from whole milk. This sweet cream contains between 35-40% milk fat. The remaining fat-free milk is mainly water and milk proteins.
To make Baileys, the sweet cream is blended with Irish whiskey, chocolate and sugar. So while milk is not added directly as an ingredient, there is a milk fat component from the cream. There may also be trace amounts of milk proteins and sugars.
Dairy-Free Baileys Alternatives
For those with dairy allergies or avoiding milk for other reasons, there are some dairy-free cream liquors that provide a similar flavor profile to Baileys:
| Brand | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Califia Farms Nog | Almondmilk (water, almonds), cane sugar, natural flavors, vegetable glycerin, guar gum, gellan gum, sunflower lecithin. |
| Silk Nog | Soymilk (water, soybeans), brown rice syrup, sea salt, natural and artificial flavors, carrageenan, sunflower lecithin. |
| Godiva Liqueur | Belgian chocolate, caffeinated coffee, cane sugar, natural and artificial flavors. |
These dairy-free versions provide the creamy texture and sweet flavors of Baileys, without using milk or cream. The almondmilk and soymilk versions are combined with sugar and flavors to mimic the experience of a cream liqueur.
Nutrition Information for Baileys
Here is the nutrition information for a 1.5 oz serving of Baileys Irish Cream (approximately one shot):
| Nutrition Facts | Per 1.5 oz serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 121 |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Sugars | 10 g |
| Protein | 0.5 g |
As we can see, a serving of Baileys provides 121 calories, mainly from fat and carbohydrates. There is 5g total fat per serving, over half of which comes from saturated fat (3.5g). There are 11g carbohydrates, primarily from the added sugars. Finally, there is a small amount of protein (0.5g) from the dairy ingredients.
Baileys Original vs Flavored Varieties
In addition to the traditional Baileys Original Irish Cream, there are a number of flavored Baileys varieties:
- Baileys Salted Caramel
- Baileys Pumpkin Spice
- Baileys Espresso Crème
- Baileys Strawberries & Cream
- Baileys Almande (almond milk based)
These flavored versions contain the same base ingredients as Baileys Original – Irish whiskey, cream, sugar, and cocoa. However, additional flavors are added such as caramel, pumpkin spice, strawberry, or coffee.
The nutritional values are similar to the Original version, though the flavored varieties may contain slightly more or less sugar. For example, Baileys Pumpkin Spice actually contains 2g less sugar than the Original per serving. The Almande almond milk variety contains less calories, fat, and sugar since no dairy cream is used.
Ingredients in Baileys Salted Caramel
Here are the ingredients listed for Baileys Salted Caramel flavor:
- Aged Irish whiskey
- Sweetened Irish cream
- Caramel
- Chocolate
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Salt
As we can see, it contains the same Irish whiskey and sweetened cream, with added caramel, chocolate and salt flavors.
Does Baileys Contain Gluten or Dairy Allergens?
Baileys Irish Cream does contain common food allergens:
- Dairy/Milk – Baileys contains cream, milk fat, and milk proteins
- Gluten – Baileys contains malt whiskey, sourced from barley which contains gluten
So people with dairy allergies or sensitivities, gluten allergies, or those following diets like vegan or paleo should avoid Baileys due to the milk and gluten content.
There is no mention of Baileys containing tree nuts or peanuts directly. However, those with severe allergies should exercise caution as there is a chance of cross contamination at the production facility.
Does Baileys Contain Eggs or Vegetarian Ingredients?
Baileys Irish Cream does not contain any egg ingredients. It is suitable for people following egg-free diets. However, it is not considered vegetarian or vegan due to the dairy cream component.
The Production Process for Baileys
Baileys Irish Cream was first created in 1974. Here is an overview of how Baileys is made:
- Irish whiskey is triple-distilled from a mash of malted and unmalted barley. This whiskey provides Baileys’ signature Irish flavor.
- Dairy cream sourced from Ireland is combined with milk fat to create a sweetened Irish cream. This gives Baileys its creamy texture and mouthfeel.
- The Irish whiskey and Irish cream are blended together along with cocoa, vanilla and sugar.
- The mixture is homogenized and pasteurized before bottling.
- Natural flavors may be added to produce varieties like Salted Caramel Baileys.
- The resulting cream liqueur is bottled at 17% – 20% alcohol by volume (ABV).
This careful production process allows Baileys to achieve a specific taste, aroma, and texture in every bottle.
How to Store and Serve Baileys
Unopened bottles of Baileys have a shelf life of 24 months and can be stored at room temperature. Once opened, it’s recommended to store Baileys in the refrigerator and consume within 6 months.
Baileys should be served chilled or over ice. It also blends well with coffee, hot chocolate, milkshakes and desserts. Some popular ways to serve Baileys include:
- Baileys on the rocks
- Baileys with milk
- Baileys milkshake
- Baileys cheesecake
- Chocolate Baileys martini
- Baileys coffee
For best flavor, use Baileys within 6 months of opening. Consume chilled or heated slightly to bring out the rich aroma.
The History of Baileys Irish Cream
Baileys Irish Cream was created by Gilbeys of Ireland, a division of International Distillers & Vintners (IDV). It was launched in 1974 after Tom Jago challenged a team to develop a revolutionary Irish whiskey cream liqueur.
The Baileys dairy cream base was inspired by another IDV product at the time – Avonmore Irish cream. Combining rich dairy cream with smooth Irish whiskey created an indulgent new liqueur. After sampling prototypes, Baileys Original Irish Cream was selected as the ideal blend.
Baileys was initially marketed to American consumers as “an entirely new taste sensation.” It soon became popular as an after-dinner drink and coffee addition. With its unique flavor profile, Baileys grew to become the number one selling liqueur in the world.
In 1987, the Baileys brand was acquired by Diageo. They expanded Baileys distribution globally and introduced new flavors like Hazelnut, Coffee, Caramel, and Chocolate Cherry over the years.
Today, more than 80 million bottles of Baileys are sold annually in over 160 countries. It remains one of Ireland’s most successful food exports.
Interesting Facts about Baileys
- It takes between 6 and 12 months to produce the whiskey used in Baileys from grain to glass.
- Over 40,000 Irish dairy cows produce the fresh cream used in every bottle of Baileys.
- Baileys use 2,000 tons of cream and 1,500 tons of Irish whiskey each year.
- Some famous fans of Baileys include Oprah Winfrey, Rihanna and Bill Clinton.
- All Baileys is produced at a single location in Dublin, Ireland.
- Baileys is packaged at a rate of 15,000 bottles per hour.
Frequently Asked Questions about Baileys
Is Baileys gluten-free?
No, Baileys Irish Cream contains barley-derived whiskey, so it is not gluten-free. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid Baileys.
Is Baileys vegan?
No, Baileys is not vegan as it contains dairy cream. There are some vegan Irish cream liqueurs available, but Baileys Original contains cream sourced from cows.
Does Baileys have caffeine?
No, there is no caffeine in Baileys Original Irish Cream. However, some flavored varieties like Baileys Espresso Crème do contain caffeine from added coffee extracts.
Can Baileys be frozen?
It’s not recommended to freeze Baileys. The texture and flavor profile may be negatively affected by freezing. It’s best to refrigerate Baileys after opening and consume within 6 months.
Is Baileys keto-friendly?
Baileys is not considered keto-friendly, due to its high carb and sugar content. There are around 11g net carbs per serving. Sticking to 1-2 oz portions a few times per month may work for some keto dieters, but is generally not recommended.
In Conclusion
Baileys Original Irish Cream liqueur contains both cream and milk components, along with Irish whiskey. The dairy cream gives Baileys its trademark thick, smooth texture and provides a sweet flavor complement to the whiskey. While milk is not added directly during production, the cream does contain milk fat and proteins from whole milk. There are also traces of milk sugars and solids. So in summary, Baileys does contain both cream and milk products.