# Bailey's Irish Cream substitute **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 30, 2009, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784 "2009-01-30T21:28:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/1 "2009-01-30T21:28:32Z")
The situation: The girlfriend and I LOVE Bailey’s. The problem: It’s $20 a bottle. There’s not much alcohol in the drink, and not much drink in the bottle. What else can we try that tastes great that’s a little cheaper and will get us drunker for longer? ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/2 "2009-01-30T21:30:32Z")
There are a couple cheaper alternatives of the stuff…only one I can think of right know is called Carol anns…I think there is one called Emmetts also. ---
**Author:** ![Jettboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@Jettboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jettboy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/3 "2009-01-30T21:30:55Z")
Try St. Brendan’s Irish Cream; virtually identical to Bailey’s, and about half the price ($11.00-12 bucks) ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/4 "2009-01-30T21:31:53Z")
[St. Brendan’s](http://www.bevmo.com/Shop/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=416) is usually cheaper. Or you could [make your own](http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Homemade-Irish-Cream-Liqueur/detail.aspx). ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/5 "2009-01-30T22:18:26Z")
I’ve found O’Grady’s from Sainsbury’s to be the most acceptable faux Bailey’s. I think Tesco also has a nice own-label as well. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/6 "2009-01-30T22:23:32Z")
Make your own. The previous posted recipe is adequate, and you can adjust the strength to fit your tastes. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/7 "2009-01-30T23:44:11Z")
I know this is a dumb question, but I’m not much of a drinker and I’m even worse at reading recipes. So, the first ingredient states: 1 1/4 cups Irish whiskey, brandy, rum, bourbon, and scotch or rye whiskey. Does that mean 1 1/4 cups of EACH of those ingredients or total? (I’m assuming 1 1/4 cups of each, but I just wanted to make sure I was reading it right.) Thanks, and looking forward to trying the recipe. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/8 "2009-01-30T23:51:09Z")
We used to get O’Darby. On this website 750ml Bailey’s = $18.95, but O’Darby 750 ml is $3.50. [http://www.alcbev.state.ut.us/Products/liqueurs.html](http://www.alcbev.state.ut.us/Products/liqueurs.html) ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/9 "2009-01-31T00:04:16Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > I know this is a dumb question, but I’m not much of a drinker and I’m even worse at reading recipes. > > So, the first ingredient states: > 1 1/4 cups Irish whiskey, brandy, rum, bourbon, and scotch or rye whiskey. > > Does that mean 1 1/4 cups of EACH of those ingredients or total? (I’m assuming 1 1/4 cups of each, but I just wanted to make sure I was reading it right.) > > Thanks, and looking forward to trying the recipe. 1 1/4 total of booze. It only serves 7. You just can make something that tastes good with any of the liquor in the list. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/10 "2009-01-31T00:41:02Z")
> [@gazpacho](#): > > 1 1/4 total of booze. It only serves 7. You just can make something that tastes good with any of the liquor in the list. Man, I’m glad I asked. I’d have a bunch of drunks running around here! So, do you mix the listed alcohol in any amount to taste, is every type required at some amt., or is a mix of approx. equal amounts of each type of alcohol to equal 1 1/4 cups the way to go? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/11 "2009-01-31T00:50:37Z")
Here, use my recipe: 2 egg yolks 1 pint heavy cream (could use half and half if you’re a candy ass) 1 can sweetened condensed milk 1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. instant coffee dissolved in 1 Tbs. water 2 Tbs. chocolate syrup 6 - 8 oz. Jameson Irish Whiskey (6 makes it smooth, 8 kicks you in the ass - your choice) or Bushmills Makes just over 1 liter. Pour into bottles and refrigerate. Shake before serving. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/12 "2009-01-31T00:53:44Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Man, I’m glad I asked. I’d have a bunch of drunks running around here! > > So, do you mix the listed alcohol in any amount to taste, is every type required at some amt., or is a mix of approx. equal amounts of each type of alcohol to equal 1 1/4 cups the way to go? I personally would go with 1 1/4 cups of one type of booze. But I would think if you had a few bottles of brown booze sitting around you could mix them to get 1 1/4 cups. I think what they are trying to say is you can make a tasty cream liquor with pretty much any brown liquor. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/13 "2009-01-31T01:18:40Z")
so, with the cream and condensed milk in these recipes, how long is the homemade stuff ok to drink? For that matter, how long would a brand like Bailey’s be drinkable after opening? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/14 "2009-01-31T01:25:18Z")
The retail stuff has stabilizers and preservatives in it to extend the shelf-life. As for the home-made…I’ve never had occasion to find out. It’s always gone within a day or two! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/15 "2009-01-31T03:24:14Z")
Ages ago a girlfriend and I made the homemade stuff. I think there were fewer ingredients than the recipe here, but man, oh, man–it was yummy. Great. Now I’m making Bailey’s this weekend… ---
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/16 "2009-01-31T04:04:09Z")
I thought Carolans was better than Baileys; it seemed to have more of a kick to it, and I think it’s cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/17 "2009-01-31T11:54:05Z")
> [@MadTheSwine](#): > > There are a couple cheaper alternatives of the stuff…only one I can think of right know is called Carol anns…I think there is one called Emmetts also. There are also a couple of brandy based cream liquors, like E&J Cask & Cream and Paul Masson that are cheaper than Baileys. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/18 "2009-01-31T19:06:23Z")
> [@Jettboy](#): > > Try St. Brendan’s Irish Cream; virtually identical to Bailey’s, and about half the price ($11.00-12 bucks) I actually think that St. Brendan’s is better than Bailey’s. They use a higher quality of whiskey. I go for this over Bailey’s any day. ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-substitute/483784/19 "2009-01-31T22:57:24Z")
My husband and I had this same predicament, and we ended up doing a blind taste test of Bailey’s, St Brendan’s and Carolan’s. Both of us liked Bailey’s the best, but Brendan’s was a close second. Carolan’s was a distant third - far too watery for my taste.