There’s a high chance you’ve encountered Irish cream during your Starbucks run or passed by the liquor section at the grocery. Irish cream liqueur is popularly mixed among beverages, desserts, and pastries to add that extra oomph and create a unique flavor.
If you have never had any drink or food mixed with Irish cream and are curious about what it is, then you’re in the right place! If you’re wondering what it tastes like, keep reading, and we’ll discuss this famous cream.
What’s Irish Cream?
Before we delve into its taste and other details, let’s first know what an Irish cream is.
Irish cream is a mixture of whiskey, cream, and sugar, which uses Irish whiskey as its base. R.J. Bailey & Company in Ireland first created this and has since gained popularity among liquor drinkers. It usually smells like hazelnuts or sweet almonds and has an alcohol content of around 15 to 20%. Today, Baileys is among the most popular liquor and top-ranking beverage distributors worldwide. (Read What Cream Does Starbucks Use)
What Does Irish Cream Taste Like?
Irish cream tastes sweet with hints of vanilla and chocolate. It also doesn’t only smell like hazelnut and sweet almonds – it also tastes like one! It might have a relatively high alcohol content, but it doesn’t taste like hard liquor, and it doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste. Regarding its consistency, Irish cream is a bit rich and thick yet creamy, like that of milkshakes.
It is best enjoyed on its own over ice when drinking Irish cream. This way, you’ll savor every sip of the alcohol minus the bitter aftertaste.
Common Products with Irish Cream
Many businesses already offer products mixed with Irish cream since you can combine them with hot or cold drinks and desserts. Below are just some of what you can order for that unique creamy flavor:
Syrup
In case you don’t know, Irish cream syrup is already on the market. Many businesses already use this as their flavorings instead of the Baileys Irish Cream. As for the taste, the Irish cream and Irish cream syrup taste the same, although the syrup doesn’t contain whiskey. The Irish cream syrup taste still has that creamy, nutty, chocolatey, and vanilla flavor, just without the alcohol kick. Some of the famous brands that offer this syrup are Monin and Torani.
Coffee
Many coffee shops already offer coffee with Irish cream on their menu. If you prefer something other than a classic Irish coffee, you can try the most common coffee drinks with Irish creams, such as an Irish cream breve and a cold brew.
An Irish cream breve is a coffee drink with a shot of espresso and half of Irish cream syrup. It has a strong coffee flavor since it doesn’t have milk, but the syrup balances the espresso. If you usually enjoy espresso-based drinks, then Irish cream breve is worth a try!
Meanwhile, Irish cream cold brew is perfect for those who want a less acidic coffee with a hint of Irish cream. One of the most popular coffee chains that offer this is Starbucks. An Irish cream cold brew tastes robust because of the syrup but still tastes like the signature Bailey’s Irish cream, which is vanilla, chocolate, and nuts. Starbucks’ Irish cream cold brew also has a cold foam, making the perfect balance for the robust coffee taste.
Hot Chocolate
You think classic hot chocolate is already good? Then a Baileys Chocolate Irish Cream drink might surprise your taste buds! Many cafes and restaurants already offer their take on hot chocolate with Irish cream, but some of the most common ones have whipped cream, sprinkles, and chocolate sauce as topping. If you’re wondering what hot chocolate with Irish cream tastes like, it offers a richer and creamier taste with hints of mint and nuts. (Read What Does Starbucks Pink Drink Taste Like)
Creamer
Another thing that might surprise you is how there is also an Irish cream-flavored coffee creamer in the market. Coffee Mate and International Delight have their takes on Irish cream coffee creamer, which both have a sweet flavor of brown sugar and cream in your coffee. If you wonder what an Irish cream creamer taste like, it still has that classic taste of rich Irish cream with a delicate hint of liqueur flavor.
Desserts
Irish cream isn’t only famous among beverages; it’s only a popular flavor among food like pastries and desserts. The most common ones mixed with Irish cream are cheesecakes, loaf bread, and ice cream.
If you still haven’t tried a Baileys cheesecake, then you’re missing out! Like other cheesecakes, it has a cookie crust and a layer of chocolate ganache. What makes it distinct is the cream filling mixed with original Baileys Irish cream. As for the Irish cream cheesecake taste, it has hints of chocolate and vanilla with a slightly nutty flavor.
Other coffee and dessert shops also offer Irish cream loaf cake, pound cake, and bread pudding. You’d be surprised how the Baileys Original Irish cream blends well with pastries, resulting in a sweet and satisfying dessert. This liqueur-infused cake makes the perfect snack at parties or simply if you want something unique to eat!
Lastly, you would want to get an Irish cream-flavored ice cream. Its rich and creamy texture makes it all the more enjoyable, along with the nutty and chocolatey taste of the Irish cream!
Cocktails
Since Baileys Irish cream has liqueur, it’s only apt to mix with cocktails. Perhaps the most popular is the White Russian, a cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream. Mudslide is a famous after-dinner drink people enjoy, made with Irish cream, coffee liqueur, vodka, heavy cream, and some chocolate. It’s like you’re enjoying a chocolate milkshake but with the effect of alcohol! (Read Coffee That Tastes Like Chocolate)
Brands That Offer Products with Irish Cream
If you don’t know where you can buy food or beverages with Irish cream, here are some of the brands that have it:
Starbucks
Starbucks unveiled its Irish cream cold brew in 2019 for its winter holiday menu, which has changed the coffee game since. This cold coffee drink allows you to enjoy the signature cold brew taste of the coffee chain with the aromatic flavor of Irish cream. The cocoa powder on top also complements the drink for that real chocolatey taste.
Dutch Bros
Another famous coffee chain that offers a drink with Irish cream flavor on their menu is Dutch Bros. Their Irish cream breve is made of an espresso blend, half and half, and Irish cream syrup that gives you that kick to start your day. You can enjoy it whether hot, iced, or blended, depending on how you want your coffee!
Dunkin’
Yes, Dunkin’s Irish creme-flavored coffee and espresso drinks became popular among coffee drinks because of their sweet creme and vanilla taste, enhanced with Irish whiskey. Like Starbucks, this flavor comes and goes since it’s only available for a limited once offered. Apart from their classic iced coffee, The Irish cream flavor is also available in their frozen coffees and handcrafted espresso drinks, such as lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, macchiatos, and more.
Häagen-Dazs
The ever-famous Häagen-Dazs has Irish cream-flavored ice creams, the Irish Cream Brownie Ice Cream, and Baileys Irish Cream Ice Cream. The Baileys Irish Cream might be one of their retired flavors, but you can still enjoy their Irish Cream Brownie flavor. It is an ice cream infused with a blend of whiskey, coffee, and cocoa, mixed with chewy chocolate brownie pieces and rich chocolaty swirls that explodes in your mouth with every bite.
How to Make Homemade Irish Cream
If you’ve run out of your favorite Irish cream and it is unavailable in the nearby store, don’t fret! You can always make a copycat version of it at home. We have an easy-to-follow homemade recipe that tastes just like the famous Baileys Irish Cream:
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup of heavy cream or half and half
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
- 3 tbsp of chocolate syrup
- 1 tsp of instant coffee
- 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract
- 1⅔ cup of Irish whiskey
Procedure
- Add the cream, sweetened condensed milk, instant coffee, chocolate syrup, and vanilla in the blender. Mix on low speed for about 30 seconds.
- Once mixed, add the whiskey while it’s slowly blending. Let it mix for a few more seconds.
- If thoroughly mixed, transfer your homemade Irish cream into a pitcher or glass bottle. Make sure your container is airtight!
- Voila, you have your Irish cream at home! Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have unanswered questions, these pieces of information might help:
Does Irish cream taste like alcohol?
Irish cream doesn’t taste like alcohol despite having a mid-strength alcohol content. When you drink an Irish cream, you’ll first taste its vanilla and chocolate notes followed by a slightly nutty taste. (Read Why Does Vanilla Extract Taste Bad)
Does Irish cream taste like creamer?
No, it doesn’t taste like creamer. First, creamer and Irish cream have different textures since creamer is runny like dairy, while Irish cream has a rich and thick consistency. Secondly, creamer tastes like whole milk, and Irish cream is like a milkshake with vanilla, chocolate, and nutty notes.
Is Irish cream minty in taste?
Irish cream is only quite minty when served as a cold brew. The classic Baileys Irish Cream doesn’t have a minty taste.
What does the Irish cream cold brew taste like?
Irish cream cold brew has a subtle hint of cocoa for its cold brew base and hints of cocoa and vanilla for the Irish cream. They perfectly complement each other when mixed.
What does an Irish cream breve taste like?
Irish cream breve tastes sweet and creamy with a hint of vanilla, chocolate, and nuts, but with the kick of espresso.
How much does an Irish cream cost?
A bottle of Baileys Irish Cream starts at $20 for the 750ml and up to $51 for the 1.75ml.
How do you store Irish cream properly?
You can leave your Baileys Irish Cream in your pantry for up to two years as long as stored in good condition. It should be at room temperature, away from heat sources and direct sunlight. You can also keep it in the refrigerator if you enjoy it chilled.
Final Thoughts
In summary, Irish cream is an alcoholic beverage that tastes like vanilla, chocolate, and nuts. Its rich and creamy texture reminds you more of milkshakes than alcohol; you can mix it with everything!
Now that you know how an Irish cream tastes, try this famous liqueur and see why it’s a crowd favorite!