Bailey’s is the World’s Best-selling Cream Liqueur. It is a smooth, creamy drink served on the rocks, in coffee, or in mixed cocktails. With hints of cocoa, cream, and vanilla, it is a versatile beverage made in many different flavors, with a vegan option as well.
Yes, Baileys Irish Cream and all its flavors are gluten-free. The company that makes Baileys states that its ingredients are gluten-free. As Baileys recipe is proprietary, we must take them at their word. Other gluten-free alternatives to Bailey’s include St. Brendan’s, Carolans Irish Cream, Ryan’s Irish Cream, Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur, and The Whistler Blenders Select Irish Cream.
Let’s talk about all things Bailey’s – its history, its ingredients, its various flavors, and available nutrition information. Then we will speak of those gluten-free alternatives. While Bailey’s is top of the line, there are a lot more Irish cream liqueurs than you might think. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Baileys History
In 1974, after several years of research, International Distillers & Vintners was looking to reach a bigger market. They had an ample supply of Irish Whiskey and easy access to a dairy. Through experimentation and creativity, they found the secret formula from the base ingredients of alcohol, cream, and cocoa powder. After introducing it to the marketplace with the signature of R.A. Bailey (inspired by the Bailey’s Hotel in London), the rest is history.
Baileys continues to lead the market share with its signature original flavor. There have been several flavors added to the product line-up over the years. Some have been long-lived, and some seasonal.
How is Bailey’s Made?
Starting with Irish Whiskey and cream, the mixture is homogenized to form an emulsion with the aid of an emulsifier that contains refined vegetable oil. This is to ensure the whiskey and cream do not separate during storage. After that, cocoa extract, herbs, and sugar are added to create a unique taste. All of this is made in Ireland, where the cream suppliers are close by. This whole process takes around two years.
Irish Whiskey and Gluten
Irish Whiskey is made from water, corn, and barley. Barley is one of the grains with gluten, and it is generally agreed that the distillation process removes the gluten protein. While this may be true, some may still have reactions to alcoholic beverages made from gluten grains.
To be labeled as Irish Whiskey, it must:
- Be distilled and manufactured in Ireland with strict rules regarding mash of malted cereals, fermented by yeast, distilled at an alcoholic strength of less than 94.8% alcohol by volume. And subject to maturation in wooden casks for at least three years.
- Retain the color, aroma, and taste derived from the production process.
- Have minimum alcohol by volume content of 40%.
Irish Whiskey has been around for hundreds of years. It has faced a resurgence with new distilleries all around Ireland and Northern Ireland in the past decade.
A Word about Ingredients
Alcoholic beverages are not required to provide ingredients or nutritional information on their labels. Every effort is made to track information down using internet sources. Baileys’ ingredients are proprietary, and those listed come largely from company descriptions on their website.
To reiterate, the ingredients in Irish creams are gluten-free on the surface. Rarely are they ever labeled as gluten-free or even transparent about their ingredients. Use caution on all these products.
Baileys Irish Cream Varieties
These are the current flavors available:
- Original Irish Cream
- Baileys Alamande
- Salted Caramel
- Strawberries & Cream
- Espresso Crème
- Red Velvet
- Apple Pie
- Deliciously Light
- Vanilla Cinnamon
- Colada
Baileys Original Irish Cream
Classic Baileys with rich chocolate and vanilla flavors.
Ingredients:
- Irish Whiskey and Spirits
- Irish Dairy Cream
Nutrition Facts (per 2.5 fl oz):
- 233 Calories
- 1g Fat
- 1g Carbohydrates (13.3g Sugar)
- 1g Protein
Baileys Alamande
This is Bailey’s for vegans made with almond milk instead of cream. Allergens are soy and almond, but it is gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Irish Whiskey
- Almond Milk
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Almond Essence (extracted from crushed almonds)
- Vanilla
- Cane Sugar
- Purified Water
Nutrition Facts:
- 13% Alcohol by Volume
Baileys Salted Caramel
Flavors of caramel are added to the Baileys Original recipe along with a pink of salt. Serve over ice or add as a flavoring to desserts.
Baileys Strawberries & Cream
Baileys Original recipe combined with flavors of strawberry and vanilla. Serve over ice or ice cream for an adult dessert.
Baileys Espresso Cream
Bailey’s Original recipe combined with real coffee. Great for cocktails, over ice, or in hot drinks, including coffee.
Baileys Red Velvet
Described as tasting like a cupcake in a glass, enjoyed over ice or in desserts.
Baileys Apple Pie
A seasonal favorite enjoyed over ice, in chai tea, or over ice cream—the taste of apple pie in a classic Baileys drink.
Baileys Deliciously Light
Designed for those who want the Baileys taste with 40% fewer calories and 40% less sugar. Contains milk and milk products (lactose included).
Nutrition Facts (per 2.5 fl oz):
- 1% Alcohol by Volume
- 139 Calories
- 7g Fat
- 3g Carbohydrates (7.8g Sugar)
- 8g Protein
Baileys Vanilla Cinnamon
Described as flavors of vanilla ice cream and cinnamon rolls, drink this alone or stirred into a cup of coffee.
Baileys Colada
Autumn was covered with Baileys Apple Pie. Summer is covered with Baileys Colada. Just as you would expect, flavors of coconut and pineapple are blended for a refreshing taste.
Alternatives
St. Brendan’s
Another Irish cream liqueur made in Ireland.
Ingredients:
- All-Natural Cream
- Quiet Man Irish Whiskey (triple-distilled, 34 proof)
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz):
- 17% Alcohol by Volume
- 117 Calories
- 3g Fat
- 4g Carbohydrates (5.7g Sugars)
Carolans Irish Cream
Named after a 17th-century harpist, Carolans has been produced in Ireland’s County Tipperary since 1978. It is one of the largest Irish Cream brands in the world.
Varieties:
- Original
- Salted Caramel
- Cold Brew
Ingredients in Original Flavor:
- Irish Whiskey
- Farm Fresh Cream
- Natural Honey
Ingredients in Salted Caramel:
- Irish Whiskey
- Farm Fresh Cream
- Rich Caramel
- Savory Sea Salt
Ingredients in Cold Brew:
- Original Carolans Recipe
- Cold Brew Coffee Flavor
- Notes of Rich Chocolate
Estimated Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz):
- 17% Alcohol by Volume
- 103 Calories
- 7g Fat
- 6g Carbohydrates (1.5g Fiber, 5.5g Sugar)
Ryan’s Irish Cream
Owned by the Sazerac Company out of New Orleans, LA, that makes many well-known brands of alcoholic beverages. They make no claims about the gluten-free nature of their products. They consider their products to be naturally free of gluten due to the distillation process. They will be working to qualify many of their products as gluten-free in the future. They have a blanket statement about using non-GMO ingredients, when possible, but nothing specifically related to the Irish Cream.
Ingredients:
- Dairy-fresh cream
- Rich Chocolate
- Natural Vanilla
- Irish Whiskey
Nutrition Facts (per 1.5 fl oz):
- 17% Alcohol by Volume
- 155 Calories
- 5g Fat
- 11g Carbohydrates (10g Sugars)
- 1g Protein
Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur
Five Farms received the highest rating of any Irish Cream Liqueur in competitions. This is top of the line. Created in County Cork, Ireland, Five Farms is crafted with single batches of fresh cream from “happy cows,” combined with premium triple-distilled Irish Whiskey. They claim to use more Irish Whiskey than other brands to produce a rich blend. The cream and whiskey are blended within 48 hours of collection from the cows. The dairy farms are family-owned and part of a Co-op that ensures fair prices and a sense of community.
Ingredients:
- Irish Whiskey
- Single Batch Fresh Dairy Cream
Nutrition Facts:
- 17% Alcohol by Volume
- No other information provided by the company
The Whistler Blenders Select Irish Cream
With higher alcohol by volume, this is one of the strongest Irish cream liqueurs on the market. Designed for sipping and those who prefer a less sweet drink, there are hints of chocolate, caramel, and whiskey in each sip. It is a small-batch liqueur.
Ingredients:
- Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
- Irish Cream from grass-fed cows
Nutrition Facts:
- 19% Alcohol by Volume
- No other information provided by the company
Kerrygold Irish Cream
Created by a company that makes grass-fed butter and cheese, they also make a delicious Irish cream liqueur.
Ingredients:
- Milk of grass-fed cows raised on traditional family farms
- Chocolate
- Oak-aged Irish Whiskey
Nutrition Facts:
- 17% Alcohol by Volume
- No other information provided by the company
Related Questions
What is the Most Famous Drink made with Baileys Irish Cream?
That would be the Mudslide. Created with Irish cream, Kahlua, vodka, and cream, it’s a delicious, sophisticated adult milkshake served in a fancy glass. Other popular drinks include the White Russian and mixed with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Let’s not forget the B-52 – Kahlua, Baileys, and Grand Marnier layered in a shot, or cocktail glass drank all at once or sipped as an after-dinner drink.
Is Baileys Vegan?
No, all but one Irish cream on our list has heavy cream in its ingredient list. Try Baileys Alamande for a vegan alternative. It substitutes Almond Milk for the cream. Baileys alternatives can be created at home using plant-based milks, Irish Whiskey, and chocolate syrup. Search the internet for dozens of great recipes.
What is the Shelf Life of Baileys?
Baileys guarantees its products for two years stored between 0 and 25 degrees Celsius. You do not need to refrigerate Baileys, but there is a natural degrading of the product over time.