Baileys & Cocktail Ideas

Baileys was invented in London in 1973 by a team of professionals hired for the job. These included Tom Jago, head of innovation and development for International Distillers & Vintners (IDV), who was from the U.K.; David Gluckman, a South African; and Hugh Seymour-Davies, an Englishman from Oxford and Eden. Gluckman and Seymour-Davies were hired by Jago to create a spirit that would become Ireland’s next export. Obviously, it worked. Today, more than 80 million bottles of Baileys are produced and packaged annually at the brand’s Dublin facility and exported to 180 countries worldwide.

To produce its creamy liqueurs, Baileys uses over 250 million liters of Irish whole milk annually. The milk is sourced from 40,000 dairy cows from 1,500 Irish farms, according to a 2015 report from Merrion Street, an Irish government news service. That cream reportedly arrives at Baileys’ Dublin facility 36 hours after leaving the farms. It stays fresh in the bottle for two years (sealed, of course).

Baileys’ used to make fun, inventive cocktails, and shots. The recipes are pretty diverse, but one thing’s guaranteed though with a bottle of Baileys, your drinks are sure to be delicious.

Vanilla Latte Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce vanilla vodka
• 2 ounces cream liqueur
• 3 ounces chilled coffee

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a highball glass filled with ice, pour the vanilla vodka, cream liqueur, and chilled coffee.
• Stir well. Serve and enjoy.

Irish Cactus Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce tequila
• 2 ounces Irish cream liqueur

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Pour the tequila and Irish cream into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice.
• Stir well, and serve.

Sugar Cookie Martini

Ingredients:

• Colored sugar, or candy sprinkles, for rimming
• 1 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka
• 1 1/2 ounces Irish cream liqueur
• 1 ounce amaretto liqueur

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Rim a cocktail glass with colored sugar or candy sprinkles: Begin by wetting the rim with a quick dip in a dish of Irish cream or amaretto, then roll it in a dish of sugar or sprinkles.
• In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the vanilla vodka, Irish cream, and amaretto. Shake it well.
• Strain into the prepared glass. Serve and enjoy.

Original Irish Coffee

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar, to taste
• 4 ounces strong, hot coffee
• 1 1/2 ounces Irish whiskey
• 1 ounce heavy cream, lightly whipped

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the brown sugar into a warm Irish coffee glass, mug, or other heatproof glass.
• Add the coffee and Irish whiskey. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Float the lightly whipped heavy cream on top by slowly pouring it over the back of a spoon.
• Do not stir. Instead, drink Irish coffee with cream. Enjoy.

Baileys Mint Martini

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces Baileys Irish Cream liqueur
• 1.5 ounces vodka
• 0.5 ounce crème de menthe liqueur
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves (for garnish, optional)

Steps:

• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
• Add Baileys Irish Cream, vodka, and crème de menthe liqueur to the shaker.
• Shake vigorously until well mixed and chilled.
• Strain into a chilled martini glass.
• Optional: Garnish with fresh mint leaves.
• Serve and enjoy the Baileys Mint Martini!