What Is Irish Cream?
“Harold, you have been drinking Irish Cream with your morning coffee every day for months.” Dr. Wetbrain declared.
Harold defended himself with, “What?! Only 5 cups a day. Plus, it has sugar and cream. Perfect for coffee.”
The Dr. added, “Let us not forget the Irish whiskey. Funny thing about the Irish Cream Liqueur. It was Not created by the Irish!”
Believe it or not Irish Cream is not originally from Ireland.
Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur was created in 1971, in England by Tom Jago, a British marketing executive.
Irish Cream is a protected geographical product so that is why Bailey’s Irish Cream is now made in Dublin, Ireland.
Most Irish Cream liqueur brands consist of 16 to 20% alcohol, Bailey’s has 17%.
Most Irish Creams are made with a lot of sugar, cream and a splash or two of Irish whiskey. Some brands add a pinch of chocolate and a drop of vanilla.
Developed in 1978 Carolans Irish Cream is made in Kentucky, US, by the master distiller Coner O’Driscoll originally from Dublin, Ireland. In 2016 Carolans ranked 3rd in the cream liqueur category in the US market. Name was taken from a famous 17th century harpist Turlough O’Carolan. Harpist in those days is like an electric guitarist these days.
Carolans Irish Cream is made with honey instead of sugar. Besides the naturally harvested honey it is also made with farm fresh cream from Ireland and of course Irish Whiskey.
Even though Irish Cream is protected as a geographical product where it must be produced in Ireland, another U.S. distillery is making it.
Blarney’s Country Irish Cream is made by Minhas Distillery in Wisconsin, U.S. Blarney’s Country Irish Cream is made with fresh cream, Irish Whiskey, sweet chocolate and sweet caramel. My favorite Irish Cream. Wetbrain smirks.
Want to make your own Irish Cream?!
One day I was at a friend’s place, and she put into a glass with ice a good-looking creamy liqueur. It was a great drink. She kindly gave me her recipe.
Ingredients:
1 tsp. -Unsweetened Cocoa powder or chocolate syrup
1 tbsp. -Sugar
1 tsp. -Non artificial vanilla extract
1 tbsp. -Instant coffee or espresso powder
1 14oz. can -Sweetened condensed milk (no evaporated milk)
1 cup -Heavy cream
1 cup -The best part, Irish Whiskey. Can use white rum or bourbon and a little more then 1 cup whiskey, if needed.
Throw all the ingredients into a blender. Blend till smooth. Pour into a large bottle, juice jug, canning jars or glasses with ice cubes and drink it now. You can keep this liqueur in the fridge for later.
With this rich creamy sweet liqueur, you can use it for baking, cocktail drinks, coffee mix, ice cream or just into a glass of ice.
“So, Harold,” Dr. Wetbrain concluded. “I think you drink way too much morning coffee.”
