Homemade Irish Cream Liqueur
A brief whirl in the blender makes this homemade liqueur creamy and lightly frothy. Chill it well, then pour a small glass over ice for a smooth, coffee-scented after-dinner treat.

Recipe link
Prep time10 min
Cook time0 min
Total time4 hr 10 min
- Course
- Beverages
- Cuisine
- Granny's Recipes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Est. calories / serving
- 160
Ingredients
Irish Cream Liqueur
- 1 cup Irish whiskey
- 1 tablespoon water — hot
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 4 large pasteurized shell eggs
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons chocolate extract
- 1 tablespoon coconut extract
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
Instructions
- Dissolve the Coffee: In a small bowl, stir the instant coffee granules into the hot water for 30 to 60 seconds, until completely dissolved with no visible granules remaining. Let the coffee mixture cool for about 5 minutes.1 tbsp instant coffee granules, 1 tbsp hot water
- Blend the Liqueur Base: Add the Irish whiskey, sweetened condensed milk, pasteurized eggs, vanilla extract, chocolate extract, coconut extract, and cooled coffee mixture to a blender. Blend on low speed for 20 to 30 seconds, just until the mixture is uniform, creamy, and lightly frothy.1 cup Irish whiskey, 1 cup sweetened condensed milk, 4 large pasteurized eggs, 2 tbsp vanilla extract, 2 tbsp chocolate extract, 1 tbsp coconut extract, coffee mixture
- Strain and Bottle: Set a fine-mesh sieve over a large liquid measuring cup or pitcher. Pour the liqueur through the sieve and let it drain for about 1 minute. Using a funnel if needed, transfer the strained liqueur into clean, dry glass bottles or jars with tight-fitting lids.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. For the smoothest, most integrated flavor, refrigerate overnight.
- Serve: Shake the bottle gently for 5 to 10 seconds before serving. Pour into approximately 2-ounce portions and serve cold over ice, in coffee, or in a cocktail.
Notes
- Eggs: This is a no-cook recipe and must be made with pasteurized shell eggs.
- Whiskey: A good-quality Irish whiskey gives the liqueur the smoothest flavor.
- Chocolate: Chocolate extract is the base ingredient in this version. Chocolate syrup and cocoa extract vary in sweetness and concentration and should not be substituted one-for-one without testing.
- Texture: Blend only until the mixture is uniform. Excessive blending introduces unnecessary foam. Straining removes any undissolved coffee or egg solids and creates a silkier finish.
- Make Ahead: Make the liqueur at least 4 hours before serving. An overnight rest produces the smoothest flavor.
- Storage: Keep refrigerated at 40°F or colder and use within 4 days. Shake gently before each serving. When giving the liqueur as a gift, label the bottle “Keep Refrigerated” and include the use-by date.
- Variation: Around Christmas, add a little ground cinnamon to taste.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve over ice or stir into coffee; pair with Steamed Cranberry Pudding or Classic Holiday Fruit Cake.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
Yield
Approximately 3 cups — Serving size: About 2 oz
Some ingredients could not be modeled and may meaningfully change the totals. Treat these values as a rough estimate.
- Calories
- 160
- Carbohydrates
- 14.5 g
- Protein
- 4 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Saturated Fat
- 2 g
- Cholesterol
- 70 mg
- Sodium
- 60 mg
- Fiber
- 0 g
- Total Sugars
- 14 g
Equipment
- Blender
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small bowl
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Large liquid measuring cup or pitcher
- Funnel (optional; for transferring the liqueur into bottles or jars)
- Glass bottles or jars (clean and dry; tight-fitting lids)