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.
Susan says
Your pictures are stunning!
Jas says
Susan, you are too kind! Thank you so much! 😀
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says
Looks yummy! Thanks for sharing at Friday Frenzy Link Party! PINNED!
Jas says
Thanks!!!
Lynda Hardy says
Oh wow - this looks just amazing and I can't wait to try it! Thanks for sharing with Party in Your PJs!
Jas says
Thank you, Lynda! Hope you like it 🙂
Judith Graber says
I'll try again to send a comment - I apparently hit the wrong "recatcha" button? Anyways, my husband used to make his own Baileys and it is quite different from yours. Looks really good though and there is always a bottle in my refrigerator. Thanks for coming to Fiesta Friday.
Jas says
I tried different recipes for Baileys but this one was the quickest. When I want a different flavor, like vanilla, I use a recipe that involves cooking. Thanks for stopping in!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
Sounds delicious! And looks so pretty! And there are a lot of people who, after years of overconsuming, have sooo much "stuff" that they'd really appreciate a gift that can be eaten/drunk/used-up instead of adding to their clutter.
Jas says
Thank you, Jean! I totally agree with you. I've got lots of
junktreasure I accumulated over the years but can's get rid of because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. This, in combination with the edible Christmas candles, is the perfect gift. 🙂frugal hausfrau says
This has got to be better than Baileys!! Yum! Happy Fiesta Friday and thanks for sharing!
Mollie
Jas says
Possibly, lol. You can control how much booze you put in it 😉
Michelle Leslie says
Oh Jas, I can never decide what it is about your blog that I love sooooooo much. Your photos are Ah-mazing and you always share such delicious recipes. We love our bailey's, especially when it's drizzled over ice cream. Although drizzled might be the wrong word, it more like add a dash of ice cream to the bowl of bailey's 😉 I can't wait to try and make our own
Jas says
Haha, and you always make me laugh! Thank you for that, Michelle! XO
Leslie says
Yum! This looks so good. I'm definitely going to have to share this with my BIL and his wife. They love to fiddle with cocktails and homemade drinks like this. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Jas says
Awesome! I bet they would love this Jellyfish shot too 😀
Barbara Windle says
Well, now. I simply love Bailey's and this looks like a must-make recipe. I am pinning it.
Jas says
Thak you so much, Barbara!
Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle says
The homemade Baileys looks amazing. Bailieys is the only alcohol that I use in my Christmas cooking. I make all sorts of desserts using it. I am sure it would probably cost less making your recipe.
Kathleen
Blogger's Pit Stop
Jas says
Thanks, Kathleen. I love it in my flourless Nutella brownies. Do you have those recipes on your blog? I'd love to try some 🙂
Linda Feray says
I made this years ago and loved it! I lost the recipe, now I will make it for Christmas
Jas says
There are several different recipes for it I tried, but I find this one to be the easiest.
Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies says
What a brilliant post - a great idea and gorgeous photos! x #Brilliantblogposts
Jas says
Thank you, Maria! 😀
Jann Olson says
I don't drink alcohol beverages, but it sure looks delicious for those who do! Thanks for sharing the recipe with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Jas says
Thank you, Jann! You can omit alcohol and still have a yummy, creamy drink 🙂
Elisa says
This sounds SO delicious!!
Do you think the recipe will work with whisky??
I'm a HUGE Baileys fan, so making my own is making my Bucket List!! Lol!
Jas says
You could definitely make it with whiskey! Yummy! 🙂
The Bearded Hiker says
I am so doing this! My wife, she's Jas too, loves this kind of thing for the holidays.
Oh...you are a maniac behind the camera! Those photos are ridiculously beautiful!
Jas says
I've never heard of another Jas. 🙂 Jaxx and Jas, how cool!
Thank you for the compliment. I was sipping on Baileys while photographing, maybe that helped. LOL
Hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving.
Sue says
Oh my goodness. This sounds AH-MAZ-ING and your photography is stunning. I'll definitely be pinning and giving this a go! Yum! Sue via #CreateLinkInspire
Jas says
Thank you, Sue! It's super delicious 😉 Happy holidays!
Debrashoppeno5 says
I would never have guessed you add Nutella to this. Now if I can stop eating the Nutella from the jar maybe I would have enough to make this. I will certainly be giving it a try.
Jas says
Haha, I have the same problem, Debra! You can do it! 😉 Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Liz says
I love this!! I booked married this, and I am totally doing it for Christmas gifts this year!!
Jas says
Yay, Liz! Glad you like it!
Kathleen Rupp says
I LOVE drinks like this during the holidays! Thanks so much for the recipe. Saw your post at the amaze me monday party! Tweeted and pinned:)
Jas says
You're welcome, Kathleen! Holidays call for a special treat 😉
Ashley Tukiainen says
This sounds amazing!!! Pinning for later <3
Jas says
Thank you, Ashley!!!