Creamy and festive, this spiced homemade Baileys is the perfect Christmas cocktail for keeping out winter chills while getting into that holiday spirit.
It's a must-try for gingerbread lovers, and it's easier to make than you think: you only need five ingredients and less than five minutes to whip up this silky DIY Irish cream!
Cookies, cakes, and candies are great, but if you want to go above-and-beyond this holiday season, consider making your own homemade Baileys. It's time for something more than boring old alcohol!
Homemade liqueurs packaged in pretty bottles make the perfect gift for anyone on your list who enjoys cocktails. They're great as hostess presents, too!
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
🥃 Why you'll love this Baileys recipe
Christmas is the season of giving, and there's no better gift than something you made with love (and alcohol, ha). Besides, this gingerbread-spiced Baileys is:
✔ Effortless: It's surprisingly easy to make infused liqueur - it requires just five ingredients and will only take about five minutes of your time to DIY this yumminess.
✔ Inexpensive: So much more affordable than store-bought!
✔ Better than store-bought: In my experience, homemade is always better. You can flavor this homemade Irish cream to your liking, and you'll know exactly what ingredients went into it.
✔ Condensed milk and egg-free: Lower calories and no safety risk associated with drinking raw eggs!
✔ Fuss-free: You'll only need one tool of your choice - a blender, food processor, or whisk.
✔ Perfect for Christmas and the holidays! It's a must-have for holiday celebrations (or any day), and it makes last-minute homemade gift-gifting a breeze. Perfect addition to the holiday gift baskets!
🛒 Ingredients
🔄 Substitutions
- Half and Half - you can use heavy cream (*see "Top Tip" below), or you can substitute ½ cup of whole milk and a ½ cup of heavy cream.
- Spiced Rum - we like Captain Morgan - use gingerbread spiced rum if you like, or see variations below.
- Nutella - not a fan of this hazelnut spread? Replace it with chocolate syrup or cocoa powder.
- Gingerbread Spice - you can easily make your own spice blend with spices you already have on hand or see variations below.
📝 NOTE: Looking for the FULL recipe to print? Find the complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions in the recipe card below.
🔪 Instructions
To make Baileys cream from scratch, all you have to do is combine the ingredients in a blender for 20 seconds, and you're good to go!
1. Combine all ingredients in a blender.
2. Blend on high speed until smooth, 20-30 seconds.
💡 Top tip
If you're using heavy cream, you'll want to be careful about blending it too long, or you might get a whipped cream layer! If that happens, strain the baileys through a fine mesh sieve or a cheesecloth. Easy-peasy!
👉 Variations
Spices - You can use any spice you like. Try it with pumpkin spice, apple pie spice, cloves, nutmeg, or cinnamon (or use Fireball Whiskey instead of rum).
Flavors - You can replace gingerbread spice and flavor your Baileys with almond, orange, or mint extract. Use vanilla extract for the original Irish flavor - great for celebrating St. Patrick's Day!
Alcohol - Make it with Irish whiskey, brandy, vodka, or Amaretto.
Alcohol-free - Make it virgin by omitting alcohol.
Dairy-free - Make it vegan by replacing the half & half with coconut cream.
🍴 Recommended Equipment
You can use whatever you have on hand to mix the ingredients.
- Blender (recommended)
- Food processor
- Whisk (needs some elbow grease)
🗄 Storage Tips
Store the gingerbread-spiced homemade Baileys in airtight bottles in the refrigerator. Because of the dairy content, it will only keep for up to two months. Shake well before using!
These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
I don't suggest using milk in this recipe as your Baileys won't be creamy enough.
Of course, it's best to drink it straight, on the rocks, or mixed into cocktails, but Baileys is a delicious addition to French toast, in hot chocolate, as an ice cream topping, in iced coffee, in smoothies, shakes, and tiramisu desserts.
Bring these deliciously easy homemade Christmas Baileys in decorative bottles or mason jars to any holiday party and watch them disappear.
Bring the recipe too, because you know they'll be asking you for it.
🎄 Try these festive cocktails too:
🧡 Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! 👋 Stay in touch through Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok!
Christmas Homemade Baileys
EQUIPMENT
- Food processor or a whisk
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Nutella
- ⅔ cup spiced rum, like Captain Morgan
- 1 cup half and half , or heavy cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon gingerbread spice
Instructions
Blender or food processor method
- Combine Nutella, spiced rum, half & half, powdered sugar, and gingerbread spice in a blender.
- Blend on high speed until incorporated, 20 to 30 seconds.
- Fill clean glass bottles and refrigerate overnight to allow for flavors to blend.
Whisk method
- In a small bowl, blend Nutella and rum until Nutella is dissolved; slowly stir in heavy cream.
- Add powdered sugar and gingerbread spice and whisk until the sugar has dissolved.
Notes
- If there are lumps/curdles in your Baileys, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
- This recipe makes about 2 cups but can be easily doubled or even tripled.
- For variations and substitutions, read the tips in the post above.
- Please remember that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used.
- Always drink responsibly! This recipe is not suitable for kids. See tips in the post on how to make this Bailey's virgin.
Ellen says
So easy and delicious! I pinned it so I can refer back when making Christmas gifts. Thinking this will also make great hostess gifts.
Jas says
Thank you, Ellen! Make an extra batch, it slides down your throat so easily, LOL.
Ann says
How did I miss this?!!! This is my favourite type of choco-milk! :p
Merry Christmas, Jas! xoxoxoxo
Jas says
Haha, same here 😉 Merry Christmas to you, Ann, and your beautiful family!!! I feel blessed to have a virtual friend like you. Hugs and smooches
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says
Hey, Jas! Just wanted to let you know that we loved your Easy Homemade Christmas Baileys so much when you shared it at the #HomeMattersParty last week, we've FEATURED it THIS WEEK! Hope you can check it out when you get a sec. Happy Friday!!!
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai / Home Matters Linky Party
Jas says
Thank you so much, Lorelai! I'm honored. Have a great weekend! XOXO
Tianna says
this looks amazing! thanks for sharing 😀
Jas says
Thank you, Tianna! Happy holidays!
Theresa says
Sounds Yummy. Thanks for joining us at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Shared . Happy Holidays!
Jas says
Thanks Theresa! Same to you 🙂
image-in-ing: weekly photo linky says
Yum - and it's great in coffee, too!
Jas says
Yes it is! A perfect coffee creamer if you ask me!
Kati says
I can't wait to try this recipe! It sounds perfect for the season. Thanks for sharing at the Wednesday Showcase party!
Jas says
Thanks, Kati! Wishing you happy holidays!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Mmmm - I am so making this!! Pinned! Thanks for sharing on the What's for Dinner link up!
Jas says
Hi, Helen! Hope you do! Thanks for stopping in 🙂
Beverly says
Jas, what a great recipe. My husband loves Baileys. I pinned this and will be making it for him.
Thanks for sharing at Happiness Is Homemade,
Bev
Jas says
Thank you, Bev! I hope he'll like the Christmas edition 😀
Molly says
This looks sooo delicious
Mollyxxx
Jas says
Thanks Molly! Happy holidays!!!
Mersad says
Your food photography is always so enticing. Love the recipe as well. Thank you for linking up with "Through My Lens"
Jas says
Thank you, Mersad! It means a lot coming from you 🙂
Fabiola says
Sounds Yummy, thank for sharing the recipe and for sharing. Pinning!
Jas says
Thanks for the pin, Fabiola, and thanks for stopping in! Happy holidays!
Janet Vinyard says
Hi Jas, Homemade Baileys - yum! What a great idea! Anything with Nutella.... Thanks for the recipe! Blessings, Janet
Jas says
Hi, Janet! I'm a huge Nutella lover myself, lol. Thanks for stopping in and have a blessed holiday season!
Bam's Kitchen says
Now this gives one a reason to celebrate the holidays. Love that creamy, dreamy beverage just over ice. Great pour shots and also your vintage Christmas backgrounds in your photos. Just pinned!
Jas says
Thanks, friend! You're too kind 🙂
Sammi says
Mmmmm! Your recipe has just made my holiday season perfect 😉 Thanks!!! Your photos are gorgeous by the way!
Jas says
Hi, Sammi! Glad I contributed to your perfect holiday season. That is very kind of you to say 😀 Thanks for visiting and happy holidays!
Mary-the boondocks blog says
Jas, before having kids, Baileys was my holiday drink of choice. That rich chocolaty smoothness ... yum, just thinking about it. Great recipe and one that I will definitely try. Pinning.
Jas says
Mary, before kids, after kids, and because of kids...it's still my favorite, lol. Thanks for pinning! XOXO