Irish Coffee with Baileys, a classic cold weather cocktail that is a smooth, creamy, and indulgent coffee hot drink perfect for cozy mornings, brunches, or a relaxing after-dinner treat. Made with strong coffee, Baileys Irish Cream, and a topped with a little whipped cream, this warm and comforting classic cocktail is an easy recipe to make any time of year.
Whether you're celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or simply love fancy coffee drinks, this Baileys Irish Coffee is a luxurious after dinner drink experience for all coffee lovers. So, start brewing your favorite coffee and get ready to enjoy one of life's delicious indulgences any time of day!
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Irish Coffee with Baileys Recipe
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make Irish Coffee with Baileys
- More Recipes You Will Love
- How to Store Irish Coffee with Baileys
- What to Serve with our Irish Coffee with Baileys Recipe
- Top Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions About Irish Coffee with Baileys
- More Recipes You Will Love
- Irish Coffee with Baileys Recipe
If you want to try some other cold weather cocktails, you need to try our Baileys and Hot Chocolate, Espresso Irish Coffee, Spiked Apple Cider or our Hot Toddy.
Why You Will Love This Irish Coffee with Baileys Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Just three simple ingredients and minimal prep.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for holidays, brunch, or an after-dinner treat on cozy winter days.
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness with a little sugar, coffee strength, or toppings to your liking. We love adding a kick of delicious espresso to mix it up!
- Rich & Creamy: The combination of strong brewed coffee, Baileys Irish Cream and a little whipped cream makes it an irresistible indulgence any time of year.
- Festive & Cozy: Warm up on chilly day with this classic cold weather cocktail.
- Mix up the Flavors: Add your favourite flavour of Baileys to really personalize this classic Irish coffee recipe. Salted caramel is my go-to!
Ingredients
With very minimal ingredients, you will be making this super quick treat in your favorite mug in no time!
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Coffee: Any choice will do, from regular coffee, strong coffee, cold brew, decaf coffee to instant coffee, if it is hot you will love this easy recipe.
- Baileys Irish Cream: We love mixing it up with our favourite flavour of Baileys, but you can use a homemade baileys if you're into that!
- Whipping Cream/Heavy Cream: A traditional Irish coffee pours a heavy cream on top slowly, but our version whips it up for a thick foamy milk layer.
For this recipe, you'll want to have on hand a medium mixing bowl, hand mixer, heat-safe mug, measuring cup and a shot glass.
Substitutions and Variations
Grab your imagination and your favourite mug, it is time to experiment this holiday season with this coffee cocktail.
- Coffee Swap: Use espresso for a stronger kick or decaf for a milder option.
- Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute Baileys with a non-dairy Irish cream liqueur and use coconut cream for the topping.
- Sweetness Boost: Add a teaspoon of simple syrup, brown sugar or maple syrup for extra sweetness.
- Extra Boozy: Swap Baileys for Irish whiskey or add both for a stronger cocktail.
- Flavored Whipped Cream: Mix in a dash of vanilla or cinnamon for an extra flavor boost.
How to Make Irish Coffee with Baileys
Check out how easy it is to make an Irish Coffee with Baileys.
Whip the heavy cream in a bowl until soft peaks and set aside.
In a heat-safe mug add hot coffee and Baileys Irish cream. Stir to combine.
Top with whipped cream.
If desired, garnish with chocolate shavings.
Hint: Use your favorite strong brewed coffee. The better the coffee, the better the drink.
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How to Store Irish Coffee with Baileys
Freshly brewed coffee starts to lose flavor within 30 minutes. So, while you can store it, know that it will have an impact on the flavor.
- Refrigerator: If you must keep it in the fridge, I do not recommend keeping it longer than 12-24 hours for maximum flavor.
- Freezer: It is not recommended to freeze this recipe.
- Reheating: You can warm it up in the microwave for 20-30 seconds on medium-low power.
- Make Ahead: You can brew your coffee in advance but the fresher it is, the better tasting your Baileys coffee will be.
What to Serve with our Irish Coffee with Baileys Recipe
- Grasshopper Pie without Alcohol: This decadent pie features an Oreo crust and a creamy, velvety mint filling, offering a delightful contrast to the rich coffee flavors.
- Strawberry Crisp: Combining fresh strawberries with a buttery, oat-based topping, this dessert provides a sweet and fruity complement to the creamy coffee.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bars: Our cookie brownie bars offer the best of both worlds with layers of chocolate chip cookie dough and fudgy brownies, making them a perfect match for the indulgent Irish coffee.
- Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake: A blend of sweet and tart flavors with a buttery crisp topping, this dessert pairs nicely with the smoothness of the Baileys-infused coffee.
- Cranberry Sauce Muffins: These light and fluffy muffins, with their sweet and tart profile, make for a delightful accompaniment to your coffee.
- Irish Soda Bread: A classic pairing for a cozy, traditional experience.
- Chocolate Truffles: The rich chocolate complements the creamy coffee flavors.
- Shortbread Cookies: Buttery and crumbly, perfect for dipping.
- Baileys Cheesecake: A dessert that matches the flavor profile beautifully.
- Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle caramel over the whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Top Tips
- Soft Peaks for Whipped Cream: Whip the cream until soft peaks form for the best texture.
- Layering Matters: Pour the coffee and Baileys first, then gently add whipped cream to keep it floating on top.
- Warm Your Mug: Pre-warm your mug with hot water to keep your coffee hot longer.
- Garnish for Extra Flavor: Chocolate shavings, caramel sauce, nutmeg, or a cinnamon stick make a great finishing touch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Irish Coffee with Baileys
Do you have questions about Irish Coffee with Baileys?
Yes! You can still enjoy all the delicious flavors of this drink as a mocktail. Substitute with an Irish cream-flavoured coffee creamer.
We recommend a medium to dark roast for the boldest, richest flavor. The better the coffee, the better the cocktail!
Definitely. Make it your own by adding peppermint extract, caramel syrup, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon.
To make sure that your whipped cream floats on top of your drink, make sure it's whipped to soft peaks, then pour it gently and slowly over the back of a spoon.
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Irish Coffee with Baileys Recipe
Equipment
- Medium Bowl
- Hand Mixer/Stand Mixer
- Heat-Safe Mug
- Measuring Cup
- Shot Glass/Jigger
Ingredients
- ¼ cup whipping cream
- 6 ounces coffee freshly brewed
- 1-2 ounces baileys Irish cream
Instructions
- Whip the cream in a bowl until soft peaks and set aside.
- In a heat-safe mug add coffee and Baileys, give a light stir.
- Top with whipped cream.
- If desired, garnish with chocolate shavings.
Notes
- Use your favorite strong brewed coffee. The better the coffee, the better the drink.
- Whip the cream until soft peaks form for the best texture.
- Pour the coffee and Baileys first, then gently add whipped cream to keep it floating on top.
- Pre-warm your mug with hot water to keep your coffee hot longer.
- Chocolate shavings, caramel sauce, nutmeg, or a cinnamon stick make a great finishing touch.
Nutrition
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Abi says
I’m a coffee addict! Planning to try this Irish Coffee this weekend!
Eva Filer says
We hope you enjoy it. It is a fav over here!
Eva Filer says
We love sipping on this by the fireplace after dinner in the colder months.