Irish cream liqueur is a popular ingredient in many desserts, coffee drinks, and cocktails. The rich, sweet, and creamy flavor makes it a delicious addition to many recipes. However, if you don’t have any Irish cream liqueur on hand, don’t worry – there are several tasty alternatives you can use instead.
Why Use Irish Cream Liqueur?
Before exploring the substitutes, let’s first understand what gives Irish cream liqueur its distinct flavor profile. This liqueur is made by blending Irish whiskey with dairy cream and sweeteners. The whiskey gives it a slight boozy kick while the dairy cream provides a rich, velvety texture and sweet flavor. Some of the popular brands of Irish cream liqueur include Baileys, Kerrygold, and Carolans.
Here are some of the reasons why cooks and bakers use Irish cream liqueur in recipes:
- It adds a creamy, rich sweetness without being overly thick.
- The hint of whiskey gives it a nice subtle boozy flavor.
- It complements chocolate, coffee, caramel, vanilla, and other dessert flavors.
- Its smooth, silky texture enhances the mouthfeel of desserts and drinks.
- The sweetness balances tart fruits like raspberries and offsets bitterness from coffee or dark chocolate.
Non-Alcoholic Substitutes for Irish Cream
If you want to completely avoid the whiskey flavor, your best bet is to use a non-alcoholic, dairy-based substitute. Here are some options:
Homemade Cream Liqueur
You can easily whip up a homemade Irish cream flavored liqueur by blending cream with sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and your preferred spirit such as rum or brandy. Here is a simple recipe to try at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2-3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons rum, brandy, or whisky (optional)
Instructions:
- Whip the heavy cream in a large bowl until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold in the condensed milk, vanilla extract, and alcohol if using.
- Mix well until thoroughly combined.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before using.
Coconut Cream
For a vegan or dairy-free option, use full-fat coconut cream. Make sure to whip it well before using in order to achieve a light and creamy texture similar to Irish cream liqueur. Add a splash of rum and vanilla to get even closer to the original flavor.
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Sweetened condensed milk has a smooth, creamy sweetness that makes it a convenient 1:1 substitute in recipes. For coffee drinks, you can simply stir a dollop of sweetened condensed milk into the coffee. In cooking and baking, use the same quantity as you would Irish cream and expect a slightly thicker consistency.
Dulce de Leche
The caramelized sweetness of dulce de leche is similar to Irish cream. Simply swap the same amount in recipes. As it lacks creaminess, you may want to thin it with a bit of milk or cream if the recipe needs a thinner, more pourable consistency.
Ice Cream or Custard
For an added creamy richness in desserts, substitute Irish cream with equal parts ice cream, gelato, or custard. Vanilla and dulce de leche flavors pair especially well. Allow the ice cream to melt and stir into the recipe as you would Irish cream liqueur.
Non-Dairy Substitutes
If you want to avoid dairy but still replicate the creamy texture of Irish cream, opt for the following plant-based substitutes:
Coconut Milk
Full-fat canned coconut milk has a rich texture that mimics the mouthfeel of Irish cream very well. Refrigerate the cans overnight, then scoop out the solid cream on top and whip it until smooth before using. For coffee, mix 2 parts coconut milk creamer with 1 part coffee liqueur.
Soy Creamer
Opt for a barista-style, thicker soy creamer and adjust the sweetness as needed with sugar or vanilla. Soy creamers tend to be thinner, so you may need to thicken further with a bit of cornstarch or xanthan gum if a recipe needs it.
Cashew Cream
Blending raw cashews with water or milk creates a nutty, dairy-free cream. Add sweetener to taste. Let it chill overnight in the fridge to allow the cashews to fully soften and blend until completely smooth before using.
Alcoholic Irish Cream Substitutes
If you do want to replicate both the flavor and boozy kick of Irish cream, try these alcoholic substitutes:
Baileys Almande
This dairy-free version of Baileys is made with almond milk, cane sugar, and Bailey’s Irish whiskey. It has the same sweet, creamy, and slightly boozy flavor as the original. Use it as a direct 1:1 substitute in any recipe.
RumChata
This liqueur contains rum blended with real dairy cream and vanilla for an Irish cream-like flavor profile. Use it in place of Irish cream. Since it is thinner, shake or stir well before using as a substitute in baking recipes or desserts.
Carolans
Carolans is another brand of Irish cream liqueur that you can substitute in equal amounts for Baileys. It has a similar ingredient profile but is a bit sweeter and thinner in consistency.
Homemade with Rum, Whiskey, or Brandy
For homemade boozy Irish cream, combine 1 part whiskey, rum, or brandy with 2 parts heavy cream or coconut cream and a dash of vanilla. Adjust sweetness as desired with sweetened condensed milk or sugar syrup. Let the flavors meld overnight in the fridge before using.
Recipe Substitutions
Irish cream liqueur is used in many dessert and drink recipes. Here are some tips for modifying recipes when Irish cream is not available:
Cheesecakes
Substitute Irish cream in cheesecake recipes with an equal amount of sweetened condensed milk, dulce de leche, or vanilla ice cream. For no-bake cheesecakes, coconut cream or cream cheese whipped with sugar makes a good swap.
Chocolate desserts
The rich creaminess of Irish cream balances chocolate well. Replace it with equal parts of sweetened condensed milk, coconut cream, or whipped cream in recipes for chocolate mousse, ganache, fudge, or chocolate tart fillings.
Cakes
For cakes like Irish cream cake or chocolate baileys cake, substitute the same quantity of milk, almond milk, or coconut milk mixed with a bit of vanilla and sugar or sweetened condensed milk to mimic the flavor.
Cookies
In baked goods like Irish cream cookies, use an equal amount of milk, coconut milk, or dairy-free creamer. Add a bit more vanilla extract or sugar to compensate for the missing sweetness if needed.
Coffee drinks
For delicious coffee drinks, substitute Irish cream with flavored creamers, whipped cream, or coconut milk creamer. Mix in a dash of rum, vodka, or nut liqueur to replace the Irish whiskey if desired.
Milkshakes and smoothies
Use ice cream, especially dulce de leche or vanilla flavors, in place of Irish cream. Non-dairy substitutes like coconut cream also work well in shaken or blended drinks.
Pancakes and waffles
For fluffy Irish cream pancakes or waffles, swap Irish cream for equal parts milk, almond milk, or condensed milk in the batter. Add a bit more vanilla extract for flavor.
How to Store and Shelf Life
If you do have Irish cream liqueur that you need to store after opening, here are some tips to help it last longer:
- Store the bottle in the back of the fridge once opened.
- Make sure the bottle is tightly sealed to prevent oxygen exposure.
- Consume within 3-6 months for best quality and flavor.
- If cream starts to separate or texture seems off, it has expired.
- Canned coconut milk can last several weeks once opened if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Homemade cream liqueurs last 1-2 weeks refrigerated.
Conclusion
Irish cream liqueur can be easily substituted with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic alternatives like coconut cream, sweetened condensed milk, cream liqueurs, or dairy-free creamers. Homemade cream liqueur is also simple to whip up. With these flavorful substitutes, you can still enjoy delicious Irish cream-flavored desserts, baked goods, and coffee drinks.