The Baileys cocktail recipe
for your table
Add the Baileys, coffee liqueur and vodka to the shaker with plenty of ice.
Shake for 10 seconds, short enough to keep the cream from curdling, but long enough to make everything ice-cold.
Strain into a chilled liqueur glass or over one large ice cube in a tumbler.
Grate some dark chocolate over it and serve immediately.
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The story
Baileys was created in Dublin in 1974 in response to a practical problem: Ireland had a surplus of cream and a surplus of whiskey, and no one had ever mixed them. It only worked once people discovered that cream and spirits could be emulsified so they would not separate, a technical breakthrough that made the product possible. The world's first cream liqueur was an immediate global hit, and with it came a whole family of cocktails: the Mudslide, the B52, and Baileys coffee. Fifty years later, it is still the world's best-selling liqueur.
The right glass
Baileys is sweet and rich, so you drink it in small quantities, and a large glass is not your friend. A liqueur glass of 8 to 13 cl is the right size: enough for a generous pour, small enough to stay cold until the last sip. Choose a stemmed model so your hand does not warm the liqueur. Making the mixed version over ice? Then use a tumbler. Clear glass works best: that creamy, light amber color is exactly what you want to see.
RCR Adagio Liqueur Glass 8 cl (6 pieces)
Bormioli Rocco America'20S Liqueur Glass 8 cl Cordinal (6 pieces)
Together € 63,90.
The right tools
For a Baileys cocktail, in addition to the glass, you use a shaker, a jigger for precise measuring, a fine strainer for double straining, and large ice blocks. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 4 bar tools together € 92,75.
Variations & twists
Baileys with cold espresso is the quickest good cocktail you can make; with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it becomes a dessert. Whip it into cream to top hot chocolate, or use it as the middle layer in a B52. A splash in Irish Coffee instead of sugar also works excellently. Find more inspiration in all cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
Shake briefly with plenty of ice. Cream and alcohol form an emulsion that breaks apart if you work for too long or at too high a temperature, leaving you with curds instead of velvet. Never add citrus: the acid makes the cream curdle immediately. Serve with one large ice cube instead of small cubes, because dilution is immediately noticeable in a cream liqueur.
Frequently asked questions
Which glass do you use for a Baileys cocktail?
A liqueur glass of 8 to 13 cl for drinking it neat, a tumbler for mixed drinks. View our liqueur glasses.
Why does my Baileys curdle?
Due to acid or shaking for too long. Never mix with citrus or tonic, and keep the shake short and ice-cold.
How long does Baileys keep?
About two years unopened and six months after opening. Refrigeration is not strictly necessary but is recommended, and then it is ready to serve at the right temperature.
Can you make a Baileys cocktail alcohol-free?
Yes: there are good alcohol-free Irish cream alternatives, or make your own blend of whole milk, whipped cream, coffee syrup and cocoa. The texture matters most, not the alcohol.
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