Baileys coffee is a classic Irish cream coffee drink that combines Baileys Irish creme liqueur with hot coffee for a delicious flavor blend!

Bailey's Irish Coffee topped with whip cream


 

We love a delicious cup of hot coffee! Our cinnamon coffee is an everyday favorite but sometimes you need a little something extra and a splash of Baileys makes a classic cold weather cocktail.

Irish coffee combines a caffeinated cup of Joe with a shot of creamy liqueur for a perfectly creamy, dreamy coffee that makes the perfect cocktail to serve with dessert on a chilly night and pairs particularly well with chocolate desserts.

It’s also a delicious St. Patrick’s Day treat that a coffee lover can enjoy while the kids chow down on leprechaun cookies.

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Bailey's Irish Coffee topped with whip cream

Why is it called Irish Coffee?

The story of Irish coffee actually dates back to 1943. A chef at a flying boat terminal in Ireland invented the drink when he wanted a way to help warm up returning passengers from a failed flight across the Atlantic.

Flying boats were large precursors to modern airplanes. They took off and landed on water and could only fly at low altitudes because they were not pressurized. Because they could not fly above bad weather, if a storm occurred, they often had to turn back or risk crashing in the storm. 

Irish coffee came about because the chef at the terminal thought that coffee wasn’t enough to warm the passengers of a flight that got turned around. So he added whiskey and unwittingly created the Irish coffee cocktail now famous today.

ingredients for Bailey's Irish Coffee

Ingredients for Baileys Irish Coffee

The simplicity of Baileys coffee is part of what makes it so good. Just like the original Irish coffee, you only need a few ingredients. For garnish, you can add shaved dark or milk chocolate.

  • Hot brewed coffee – Pick your favorite coffee, but a regular blend works well. You can also make this drink with decaf coffee if you prefer.
  • Baileys Irish Cream – There really is no substitute for Baileys.
  • Whipped cream (optional) – The original Irish coffee also used a lightly whipped cream on top of the hot cocktail.
  • Shaved dark or milk chocolate (optional) – The chocolate makes the cocktail look nice, but you can omit it if you prefer.
  • Irish Whiskey (optional) – Some people like to make the drink a little stronger (2 ounces of Bailey’s is enough for me :)). If so you can add some Irish whiskey such as Jameson.

If regular coffee is too bitter for you, you can add a bit of sweetness with a little sugar or sweetener added to the coffee before putting the cream on top. I highly recommend brown sugar for this drink!

What is Baileys Irish Cream?

Baileys Irish cream is a combination of cream and Irish whiskey. It has a partially sweet, chocolatey flavor.

You can serve Baileys on its own over ice. But you will often see it added to speciality drinks, such as Irish coffee, cakes, ice cream, and other treats.

how to make a Bailey's Irish Coffee

How to Make Baileys Coffee

Baileys Irish Cream coffee comes together very quickly. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1 – Brew a fresh cup of coffee. To start, brew your preferred coffee. You can use regular, flavored, bold, or any that is your favorite. I recommend strong, regular coffee. Flavored coffees can change the flavor of the cocktail.

Pour the coffee into your favorite mug when ready.

Step 2 – Stir in the Bailey’s. Leave a little room in the mug for the Baileys Irish cream. Pour it into the coffee and mix to combine.

Step 3 –  Top the cocktail. Use your favorite homemade or store bought whipped cream to top the coffee. Sprinkle some shaved chocolate on top. Serve and enjoy! This is optional but I highly recommend it!

Optional – If you want to make your drink a little stronger you can add 1 ounce of Irish whiskey. I like mine with just the 2 ounces of Bailey’s Irish Cream :).

Bailey's Irish Coffee topped with whip cream
How Much Alcohol is in a Baileys Coffee?

This is considered a low alcohol drink. The alcohol by volume (ABV) is only 17% vs spirits that aren’t mixed with anything, such as vodka, whiskey, gin, etc. which are typically 40% ABV.

Does Baileys have a coffee flavor?

Bailey’s does not have a coffee flavor. It is more of a mild chocolate flavor which pairs really well with coffee.

What’s the difference between Kahlua and Baileys?

Kahlua and Baileys are often put in the same category. They both pair really well with coffee and I’ve been known to add a splash of Kahlua to my Irish coffee along with some Bailey’s. They do however have very distinct differences.

Bailey’s is creamy and is made with cream, whiskey, and cocoa. Kahlua is made with rum, sugar, and coffee.

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Servings: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Baileys Coffee

Baileys Irish Cream coffee is a classic coffee drink that combines Irish creme liqueur with hot coffee for a decadent drink you'll love.
Bailey's Irish Coffee topped with whip cream
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Ingredients

  • 6 ounces Hot brewed coffee
  • 2 ounces Baileys Irish Cream
  • 1 ounce Irish whiskey, optional
  • Whipped cream for garnish, optional
  • Shaved dark or milk chocolate for garnish, optional

Instructions

  • Brew coffee with your favorite coffee maker. I recommend it being on the strong side. Pour into your desired mug.
  • Add Baileys Irish Cream to the coffee and stir to mix.
  • (Optional) If you would like to make it a little stronger you can add 1 ounce of Irish Whiskey.
  • (Optional) Top with your favorite homemade or store bought whipped cream, sprinkle chocolate shavings on top and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 9ounces, Calories: 187kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 83mg, Sugar: 11g, Calcium: 3mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
Author: Kat Jeter & Melinda Caldwell
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bailey’s irish cream coffee, baileys coffee, coffee irish whiskey baileys, irish coffee
Handwritten signature for Kat & Melinda