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Cream Liqueurs: Types and Recipes

When you think of cream liqueurs, Baileys Irish Cream is likely the first (and perhaps the only) one that comes to mind. This brand, introduced to the North American market in the early 1970s, is one of the most popular brands of liqueurs worldwide. However, it is not the only type of cream liqueur available.
 

Types of Cream Liqueurs

While Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur is still a market leader, cream liqueurs come a variety of flavors, including rum cream liqueurs or even tequila cream liqueurs.
 
Other than Baileys Irish cream liqueur, a few other types of cream liqueurs are:
  • Amarula, made with fermented South African fruit
  • Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur
  • Dooley's, made with toffee and vodka
  • Heather Cream, made with Scottish whiskey
  • Sylk Drambuie Cream Liqueur, made with Scotch and honey
  • Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Cream Liqueur
  • Voyant Chai Cream, made with tea leaves and spices.
Additional flavors can also be added to cream liqueurs to create even more variety. For example, Baileys Irish Cream comes in original, chocolate mint and caramel flavors.
 
Cream liqueurs are made by mixing a base liquor, usually whiskey, with dairy cream. Because more flavorful liquors produce better results, vodka creams are not as common as whiskey creams.

How to Drink Cream Liqueurs

Cream liqueurs are best served it cold, with ice (or on the rocks in bar lingo) or over ice cream, depending on what type of cream liqueur you are using. Cream liqueurs can also be used as an ingredient to prepare other alcoholic drinks.

Homemade Cream Liqueur Recipes

You may want try your hand at making your own Irish Cream Liqueur. This recipe makes four servings and it can be increased to make a larger amount, if desired.

Irish Cream Liqueur

Ingredients
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 2 tbsp. chocolate syrup
  • 1 c. cream
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tbsp. instant coffee
  • 1 3/4 c. Irish whiskey
  • 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract.
Directions
 
Place all the ingredients in a blender. Whip together until the mixture is smooth. Place in a glass container and store in the refrigerator for up to 30 days.
 
If you are looking to make a different type of cream liqueur, you can experiment with adding different ingredients to the Irish cream recipe. Or, you can follow this recipe.

Mocha Cream Liqueur

Ingredients
  • 1/4 c. chocolate flavored syrup
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. coconut extract
  • 1 c. dark rum
  • 1 c. heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp. instant espresso powder
  • 1 1/4 c. sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla.
Directions
 
Place ingredients in a blender and beat until smooth. The mocha cream liqueur can be served right away or stored in the refrigerator for up to 14 days.

Cream Liqueur Drink Recipes

Cream liqueurs can be used to make a number of flavorful, dessert cocktails. Here are some delicious recipes that include cream liqueurs.

A Very Berry Surprise

Ingredients
  • 1 c. black cherry ice cream
  • 1 oz. blackberry schnapps
  • 1 c. ice
  • 1 oz. raspberry schnapps
  • 2 oz. strawberry cream liqueur.
Directions
 
Using a blender, mix all ingredients together until they have the texture of a smoothie. Pour into a Margarita glass and garnish with fresh fruit, if desired.

Bailey's Shake

Ingredients
  • Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur
  • 1/4 c. chocolate syrup
  • 3/4 c. milk
  • 1 c. vanilla ice cream.
Directions
 
Place all the ingredients into a blender. Add Bailey's as desired. Puree the mixture until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy.

Irish Ghost

Ingredients
  • 1 oz. Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur
  • 2 oz. cream
  • 1 oz. Irish Mist Liqueur
  • 1 oz. Kahlua.
Directions
 
Combine all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Secure the lid and shake for 30 seconds. Strain the drink into a short glass. Ice can be added, if desired. Serve immediately.
 
Resources
 
Drinks Mixer (n.d.). Cream Liqueur-Based Cocktail Recipes. Retrieved April 29, 2008, from Drinks Mixer Web Site: http://www.drinksmixer.com/cat/2369/.
 
Drinks Mixer (n.d.). Irish Cream Liqueur Recipe. Retrieved April 29, 2008, from Drinks Mixer Web Site: http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink4421.html.
 
Larsen, Linda (n.d.). Mocha Cream Liqueur. Retrieved April 29, 2008, from About.com's Busy Cooks Channel Web Site: http://busycooks.about.com/od/beveragerecipe1/r/
mochaliqueur.htm.
 
Plotkin, Robert (n.d.). Sylk Cream Liqueur. Retrieved May 1, 2008, from the Barmedia.com Web site: http://www.barmedia.com/BC5Reviews/SylkCreamLiqueur.htm.