Irish cream syrup is a sweet, creamy liquid used to flavor coffee drinks and other beverages. It provides the distinctive flavor of Irish cream liqueur in a convenient syrup form. Irish cream syrup contains ingredients like milk, cream, sugar, and Irish whiskey flavoring.
Main Ingredients
The primary ingredients in Irish cream syrup are:
- Milk – Whole milk or milk powder provides the creamy texture.
- Cream – Heavy cream or half and half gives body and richness.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar, corn syrup or simple syrup sweetens the mixture.
- Irish whiskey flavoring – Natural and artificial flavorings replicate the distinctive Irish whiskey taste.
- Stabilizers and emulsifiers – Ingredients like sodium alginate, guar gum, and polysorbate 80 help blend the ingredients smoothly.
- Preservatives – Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate extend shelf life.
Dairy Components
The dairy ingredients are essential for the characteristic thick, creamy mouthfeel of Irish cream. Fresh fluid milk or milk powder provides the main dairy component. Fat content can range from whole milk to nonfat milk. Whole milk provides a richer taste and texture.
Heavy cream or half and half are also commonly used. They contribute extra fat and dairy flavor. The cream content helps make the syrup opaque and gives it a smooth, creamy consistency.
Milk Choices
Here are some examples of milks used in Irish cream syrup:
- Whole milk – Around 3.25% milk fat
- 2% reduced fat milk – 2% milk fat
- 1% lowfat milk – 1% milk fat
- Nonfat or skim milk – Less than 0.5% milk fat
- Sweetened condensed milk – Milk concentrated with added sugar
- Evaporated milk – Milk with some water content removed
- Dry whole milk powder – Dehydrated milk that can be reconstituted with water
Cream Options
Creams with higher fat contents create a richer, creamier syrup:
- Heavy whipping cream – 36-40% milk fat
- Half and half – 10-12% milk fat
- Light cream – 18-30% milk fat
Sweeteners
Simple syrup, corn syrup or granulated white sugar are commonly used to sweeten Irish cream syrup:
- Simple syrup – Equal parts sugar and water boiled together then cooled. Provides a smooth, consistent sweetness.
- Corn syrup – Thick, sweet syrup made from cornstarch. Adds body and prevents crystallization.
- Granulated sugar – Ordinary white table sugar. Must be dissolved in the liquid ingredients.
- Brown sugar – Less common, but adds deeper molasses notes.
- Honey – Also less common, but contributes floral complexity.
The specific sweetener used affects the thickness and flavor.
Irish Whiskey Flavoring
Natural and artificial whiskey flavors are used to mimic the taste of Irish whiskey in Irish cream syrup. They provide distinctive aromas and flavors like vanilla, coffee, caramel, honey, and spices.
Flavoring options include:
- Alcohol-free Irish whiskey extract
- Irish whiskey flavoring oils
- Vanilla, coffee, caramel, and cream flavorings
- Whiskey-flavored syrups
The ingredients label may simply list “natural and artificial Irish cream flavors.” The specific components are proprietary and protected as trade secrets.
Stabilizers and Emulsifiers
Stabilizers and emulsifiers help Irish cream syrup achieve a smooth, uniform texture and appearance. They keep the fat from separating and prevent ingredients from settling.
Common examples include:
- Sodium alginate – Extracted from brown seaweed, this thickener prevents separation.
- Guar gum – Derived from guar beans, it improves texture and stability.
- Xanthan gum – Produced by bacteria, it helps create viscosity.
- Polysorbate 80 – An emulsifier that blends ingredients smoothly.
- Mono- and diglycerides – Emulsifiers that prevent oil and water from separating.
These stabilizers give Irish cream syrup an appealing uniform appearance and rich, creamy mouthfeel.
Preservatives
Irish cream syrup contains preservatives to prevent microbial growth and extend shelf life:
- Potassium sorbate – Inhibits mold, yeast, and bacteria.
- Sodium benzoate – Prevents fungal and bacterial growth.
Proper hygiene and refrigeration are also critical for lasting quality and safety.
Water
In addition to the main ingredients, Irish cream syrup contains water to form the liquid base. Plain water is used to dissolve and thin out the other components.
The water may be distilled or deionized to remove impurities that could affect flavor.
Optional Ingredients
Irish cream syrup may also contain small amounts of optional ingredients like:
- Salt – For flavor enhancement
- Vanilla extract – Extra flavoring
- Carrageenan – An algae-derived thickener
- Natural Flavors – Additional Irish cream flavors
Producers tweak their recipes to create unique flavor profiles and textures.
Nutrition Facts
As a high-sugar, cream-based product, Irish cream syrup is high in calories and fat. A typical 1 tablespoon (15 ml) serving contains:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 45 |
| Total Fat | 2 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Total Carbohydrate | 7 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
There are typically negligible amounts of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Given the high calorie and sugar content, Irish cream syrup should be enjoyed in moderation.
Uses in Drinks
Irish cream syrup is used to add sweet Irish cream flavor to hot and cold drinks. Popular uses include:
- Flavored coffee drinks – Add to lattes, mochas, iced coffee, frappes
- Tea drinks – Mix into chai tea, matcha, black or green tea
- Hot chocolate – Stir into cups of hot cocoa
- Milkshakes and floats – Blend into milkshake or soda float recipes
- Cocktails – Use in place of Irish cream liqueur for a lower alcohol option
Only a small amount is needed to provide distinctive Irish cream taste. It’s easy to customize coffeehouse-style drinks at home using Irish cream syrup.
Advantages Over Liqueur
Irish cream syrup has some advantages compared to bottled Irish cream liqueur:
- More convenient – Easy to store and serve from a pump bottle.
- Lower alcohol content – Appropriate for all ages.
- Lower cost – Much cheaper ounce for ounce.
- Consistent flavor – Doesn’t degrade like bottled liqueur.
- Customizable – Can control sweetness and flavor intensity.
- Allergen-friendly – Can find dairy-free and gluten-free versions.
The syrup makes it simpler to create Irish cream-flavored drinks at home or at restaurants. There’s no need to stock liqueur bottles behind the bar.
Popular Brands
Some top brands of Irish cream syrup include:
- DaVinci Gourmet
- Torani
- Monin
- Starbucks
- Foxton’s
- Jordan’s Skinny Mixes
- Bailey’s (official brand)
These syrups can be found online and in some grocery and specialty food stores. Coffee shops may also carry Irish cream syrup for use in drinks.
DaVinci Gourmet Irish Cream Syrup
One popular brand is DaVinci Gourmet Irish Cream Sugar Free Syrup. It contains ingredients like water, cellulose gel, natural and artificial flavors, sucralose sweetener, potassium sorbate, and caramel color.
Each serving has 10 calories, 0g fat, 2g carbs, and 0g protein. It’s sweetened with sucralose and made without high fructose corn syrup.
Homemade Irish Cream Syrup
It’s also fairly straightforward to DIY your own Irish cream syrup at home. Basic homemade recipes call for ingredients like:
- 2 cups half and half or heavy cream
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 2-4 tablespoons instant coffee or espresso powder
- 2-4 tablespoons chocolate syrup
- 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Irish whiskey flavoring or extracts
The ingredients are combined in a blender or whisked together by hand. For storage, the syrup is transferred to an air-tight container and refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion
Irish cream syrup is a versatile, flavorful ingredient made from milk, cream, sugar, Irish whiskey flavoring, and stabilizers. It provides the recognizable flavor of Irish cream liqueur in an easy-to-use syrup. Irish cream syrup can add sweet creaminess to coffee drinks, cocktails, milkshakes and more. Popular prepared brands are available, along with easy homemade recipes to DIY your own batch.