Whiskey And Baileys: Does It Work (+ Recipes)

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Baileys Irish Cream remains one of the world’s most popular drinks.

It is an Irish cream liqueur made from a delicious combination of coca, cream, and Irish whiskey.

It is a sweet, creamy, and indulgent drink that is often enjoyed on its own or with ice.

But what happens if you add whiskey to Baileys?

Does it still taste great or does the flavor profile change in a negative way?

In this guide, I’ll explain what happens when you add whiskey to Baileys before sharing some of the best whiskey and Baileys cocktails.

Does Whiskey and Baileys Work?

Given that Bailey’s already contains whiskey, it should be no surprise that adding more whiskey works well.

It simply makes your drink stronger, less creamy, and less sugary.

Glasses of Baileys Irish Cream

The acidity of the additional whiskey will cut through the cream nicely, helping the flavor and aroma profile of your preferred whiskey shine through.

You will notice the various flavors of your whiskey poking through the sweetness of the Baileys, including any citrus fruits, smoke, grains, malt, oak, and caramel flavors.

Having a wider range of detectable flavors can make a drink much more sophisticated and interesting.

Which Types Of Whiskey Work Best With Baileys?

If you decided to add some whiskey to a glass of Baileys, your first impulse might be to throw in more Irish whiskey.

While this will deliver predictably delicious results, there are some other alternatives that result in interesting flavor combinations.

Adding Scotch whiskey to Baileys can bring a wider range of flavors and aromas.

Glenfiddich is a great choice, as it adds citrus, vanilla and a mild smokiness to the drink.

The maltiness of Glenfiddich works particularly well with the sweetness of the cocoa.

Adding Jack Daniels whiskey to Baileys imparts strong caramel, oak, spice, molasses, and smoke flavors.

Some drinkers also notice the corn flavor of Jack Daniels coming through.

It is a smooth combination that is used to form several cocktails.

If you have a sweet tooth, you could even add a bourbon whiskey like Wild Turkey.

This combination adds caramel, vanilla, and molasses to your drink, making it a deliciously sweet blend of flavors.

Whiskey And Baileys Cocktails

The fact that whiskey blends well with Baileys is highlighted by the fact that there are many cocktails featuring the two ingredients. Here are a few of the best.

Irish White Russian

A white Russian made with whiskey

This is the Irish version of the classic White Russian. It’s easy to make and absolutely delicious.

Ingredients:

30 ml Jameson Irish Whiskey
75 ml Baileys Irish Cream
15 ml Coffee Liqueur
Heavy Cream
Ice

Instructions:

Place the ice in a tumbler
Add Whiskey, Baileys, and Liqueur then stir
Top with a tablespoon of cream

Thanks for reading. Give these recipes a try to see how delicious Baileys and Whiskey combination can be.

The Lucky Irishman

The lucky Irishman is the most common way that people blend Baileys and Irish whiskey.

It doesn’t get any simpler than this.

Ingredients:

30 ml Jameson Irish Whiskey
30 ml Baileys Irish Cream
Ice

Instructions:

Fill an old fashioned glass with ice
Pour in the Jameson Whiskey, followed by a shot of Baileys
Stir and serve immediately

Irish Coffee

A glass of Irish coffee

Irish Coffee is a classic drink that has been around for all over 100 years. The recipe below is for 4 cups.

Ingredients:

1 cup whipping cream
½ cup Irish Whiskey
3 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream
4 tablespoons brown sugar
4 cups coffee

Baileys Honey Bee

This is a great drink for anyone with a sweet tooth.

It adds a bit of honey to the mix for a super sweet kick.

It’s a bit heavier on the baileys, so the flavors of the whiskey are subdued. Feel free to alter the ratios to suit your taste.

Ingredients:

30 ml Jameson Irish Whiskey
75 ml Baileys Irish Cream
15 ml Honey
Ice

Instructions:

Brew some fresh coffee
Add a shot (1 fl oz or 30 ml) of Irish whiskey, splash of baileys and sugar to each cup
Add your coffee and stir
To with whipped cream

The Jack Knife

This simple cocktail is easy to make and delicious. Give it a try the next time you feel like a Baileys but want something with a bit more kick to it.