| Irish cream | |
| Type: | cream liqueur |
| Abv: | 15–20% |
| Proof: | 30°–40° |
| Origin: | Ireland |
| Introduced: | 1973 |
| Colour: | white |
| Flavour: | sweet, creamy |
| Ingredients: | Irish whiskey, cream, sugar |
| Variants: | Grape wine is sometimes substituted for whiskey |
| Related: | Irish coffee |
Irish cream [1] is a cream liqueur based on Irish whiskey, cream and other flavourings. It typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) level of 15 to 20% and is served on its own or in mixed drinks, most commonly Irish coffee. Its largest markets are the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.
It is not a traditional Irish product, as the first version of it, Baileys, was invented in 1973 by Englishman Tom Jago in London, in response to a marketing brief from Gilbeys of Ireland (a division of International Distillers & Vintners).[2] Nevertheless, within the European Union, Irish cream is a protected geographical indicator product that must be produced in Ireland.[3]
Top brands of Irish cream include Baileys, Kerrygold, Merrys, Carolans and Saint Brendan's. The largest manufacturer is Diageo.
Irish cream is served straight, on the rocks or in mixed drinks, often in combination with Kahlúa in an Irish coffee or hot chocolate. It is also a common addition to White Russians. Some use Irish cream to flavour desserts and other sweet treats.[4]