What Is Baileys Irish Cream?

The holidays come with a wealth of sense memories. There’s the smell of turkey roasting in the oven. The scent of pecan pie cooling on the counter. And that deliciously sweet, milky aroma emanating from the cup your aunt Edna is holding while passed out on the couch. What the heck was aunt Edna drinking? Most likely it was Baileys. What is Baileys Irish Cream? What does Baileys taste like? Does Baileys need to be refrigerated? Let’s binge on some Baileys!

What is Baileys Irish cream?

Baileys irish cream is that liquor that your relatives who never drink decide to get absolutely sloshed on around the holiday season. Besides that, Baileys Irish Cream is an Irish cream liqueur made with cream, cocoa, and Irish whiskey (along with a few other things like sugar and an emulsifier). It’s 17% ABV, which is a bit higher than wine, but much less boozy than other alcoholic products like vodka or bourbon. 

It seems like Irish cream is an ancient, old-timey cocktail that has been around since the days of yore. But in actuality, Baileys invented the Irish cream alcohol category when it launched in 1974. A distillery was looking for a way to use surplus cream from their dairy business and combined those ingredients with some Nesquik to create an easy-to-drink beverage. People drink Baileys over ice or use it as an ingredient in other drinks like Irish coffee. 

What does Baileys taste like?

Baileys Irish Cream tastes creamy. It tastes like a mix of chocolate and vanilla with just a hint of warmth from the whiskey. It truly is an alcoholic starter beverage. But who can drink Baileys? Is Baileys gluten-free? Does it have dairy? And how much caffeine is in Baileys? Settle down, we’re answering all your questions here. 

Does Baileys have dairy?

Baileys does indeed contain dairy. The first clue should have been the existence of the word “cream” in the product’s name. It’s not just for show. Baileys really does contain real cream. But! Baileys also makes dairy free Baileys Almande, which is totally vegan. 

Is Baileys gluten free?

Baileys is one of those food things that is made with products that do not contain gluten, but the makers do not guarantee there’s no gluten in there. So drink at your own risk. There’s no ingredients containing gluten but they don’t label it as gluten-free since they can’t guarantee there’s no gluten in their processing facilities. 

Does Baileys have caffeine?

Yes, Baileys does contain caffeine, but a miniscule amount. It’s not going to keep you up all night. Now, if you mix Baileys with some coffee, that’s a different story. But Baileys by itself barely has any caffeine. 

Does Baileys go bad? Does Baileys need to be refrigerated?

People love to argue about keeping Baileys fresh since it technically has dairy in it. But get this, Baileys does not have to be refrigerated. After you open a bottle of Baileys it can last up to two years as long as you keep it in a cool place, out of direct sunlight. But remember, Baileys can go bad. Don’t go drinking that 15-year-old opened bottle of Baileys you found in aunt Edna’s medicine cabinet.