This vegan Baileys is healthier and creamier than the original. You won't tell the difference! Ready in 5 minutes with 5 ingredients.
I hardly ever drink alcohol, but when I do, Baileys is one of my favorite options. That's why I'm in love with this vegan Baileys, and it's SO good I want to share the recipe with you. Feel free to enjoy it on Saint Patrick's Day!
Besides, this dairy-free and lactose-free recipe tastes even better than the original one and is 100% plant-based. It is therefore perfect for you if you suffer from lactose intolerance. I've never enjoyed a homemade vegan Baileys as good as this one!
This is such a simple and easy-to-make drink that you won't buy it at the grocery store ever again. Besides, it's gluten-free and only requires 5 ingredients and just 5 minutes. Enjoy!
Ingredient notes
- Jameson Irish Whiskey: feel free to customize this recipe with any type of whiskey.
- Vanilla extract: to make this vegan Irish cream I always use homemade vanilla extract as it's more affordable and extremely easy to make, but the store-bought version will also work.
- Full-fat coconut milk: you could use another kind of plant milk, such as homemade cashew milk or maybe almond milk. However, I do suggest you use canned coconut milk.
- Agave or maple syrup: feel free to use other sweeteners instead, such as cane sugar, for example.
Dietary variations
- Make it sugar-free: I've never tried it myself, but you can incorporate dates instead of syrup until the Baileys is sweet enough for you.
How to make vegan Baileys
- Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend for about 1 or 2 minutes.
- Serve your vegan Baileys chilled or with some ice.
How to store
- Fridge: keep the leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Is Baileys vegan?
Original Baileys Irish Cream is a non-vegan drink because it is made with cream that comes from cow's milk, so it does contain dairy.
Serving suggestions
Feel free to add this vegan Baileys to your coffee or vegan hot chocolate for a delicious dessert. Just pour it in, stir, and enjoy!
Looking for more vegan drinks?
Did you make this vegan Baileys recipe?
Please leave a comment and rate it below. We'd love to hear from you!
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Vegan Baileys
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup Jameson Irish Whiskey, any whiskey is okay
- ¼ cup strong coffee or espresso
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- 1 14-ounce can full-fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup agave or maple syrup
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend for about 1 or 2 minutes or until smooth.
- Serve your vegan Baileys chilled or with some ice, and shake well before using. You could also add it to your coffee or vegan hot chocolate for a delicious dessert. Just pour it in, stir, and enjoy!
- Store the leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes
- You could use a different kind of plant milk instead, such as homemade cashew milk or maybe almond milk. However, I do suggest you use canned coconut milk.
- Feel free to use a different type of sweetener instead of agave or maple syrup.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in March of 2014, but was republished with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and tips in February of 2022.
Giulia says
Hello!
This recipe looks awesome! Following the ingredients you wrote down, can I substitute the agave syrup with the maple one?
Thanks!
Iosune says
Hi Giulia! Thanks 😀 Yes, you can use any other sweetener you want 😉
Giulia says
Thank you! ?
Iosune says
You're welcome! 😉
Tracey says
Thanks for posting this. I had to adjust it slightly, but thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I found it too sweet for me and because it didn't taste very alcoholic, I was worried I'd forget I was drinking alcohol and drink too much too quickly. So I used 100ml whiskey and only 2 tablespoons of Agave. Perfect for me, thanks.
Iosune says
Hi Tracey! I'm glad you liked it! I'm not used to drink alcohol, so I prefer to add less whiskey 🙂
sav says
Hi agave syrup is still sugar and is in fact even worse for you then regular sugar fyi. Try using stevia or a sugar alcohol insted if you want sugar free.
Iosune says
Hi Sav! Agave syrup is not as processed as white sugar, although my favorite sweeteners are dates and maple syrup 🙂
sav says
Its still sugar. Natural does not mean sugar free nor does it mean its any healthier. Please do your reasearch next time before claiming your recipes are "sugar free"
Iosune says
Okay, the next time I'll say refined sugar free 🙂
suzi says
geez.. tough crowd.
Lila says
Go find somewhere else to be nasty and entitled. Seriously. Go.
Great recipe Simple Vegan! I'm excited to try it!
Iosune says
Hope you enjoy it Lila! 😉
Alex says
I don't believe that whiskey is gluten-free
Iosune says
Hi Alex! Jameson Irish Whiskey is gluten free: https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/us/faq 🙂
Jess @ Crunchy Hot Mama says
OMGeee this is brilliant! I love Bailey's and am stoked to find a dairy-free version! This will go perfect in the dairy-free mudslide that my hubby makes for me 😉
Iosune says
Thank you so much Jess! I hope you like it 😀
Karol says
Taste soo good. I used organic bamboo to replace the coffee in the 2nd batch and still tasted delish!
Thanks.
Iosune says
Hi Karol! Thanks for the idea! I've never tried bamboo, but I know it's healthier than coffee 🙂
Rosemary says
I can't drink coffee so think I might try Prewetts Chicory coffee which tastes very similar to bogged. Thanks for the suggestion Karol.
Iosune says
Hi Rosemary! Hope it works 😉
laura says
Hello! Just wondering is the coffee equivalent to instant, espresso, double espresso or?? Thanks 🙂
Iosune says
Hi Laura! You can use any kind of coffe you like 🙂
Tobii-rhea starr says
Would you use canned coconut milk or the kind you would use in hot drinks that comes in a carton eg Koko (UK)?
Iosune says
I would use homemade coconut milk or canned coconut milk 🙂
Catherine Gallagher says
I came to ask the same question. I’m still not clear if this calls for traditional coconut milk that you’d find sealed in a tin, or the newer sort of coconut milk/drink that people use from cartons in recent years for smoothies/baking etc.
Iosune says
Hi Catherine! I always use canned coconut milk 🙂
Minnie says
I am not Vegan but I do have friends who are. Here in the Netherlands we can buy two kinds of canned coconut milk, sweetend with Cane sugar, and used for cocktail drinks like Puna Colada, or non-sweetend (used for Asian cooking). So I guess you can use the one already sweetend or the non and add Agave or Dades syrup.
Maybe a silly dumb question: Is there a specific reason as a Vegan to use instant coffee grounds instead of brewed coffee?
Thanks in advance
Iosune says
Hi Minnie! We used unsweetened canned coconut milk, the one you can find at Asian supermarkets. I think all kinds of coffee are vegan 🙂
Edith says
You are AWESOME for coming up with this. For me I would have to substitute the agave syrup for dates* with homemade almond or walnut milk. I'm a vegan so this would be a perfect addition for someone like myself. It's a healthier alternative to drinking straight hard liquor for the holidays.
Iosune says
Thanks Edith!!! Date syrup is also great (it's made with dates and water) and you can use your favorite plant milk 😉
Giselle and Cody says
Mmmm this vegan Irish cream looks so good.
Can't wait to try it out this Christmas!
Iosune says
Hi Giselle and Cody! I hope you like it 😀
Tyme says
Is the "1/4 cup coffee" coffee grounds or brewed coffee? (Might be good to add that clarification to the recipe.)
Iosune says
Hi Tyme! It's 1/4 brewed coffee 🙂
James says
You really think it would be GROUND coffee? Dude, come on. Use your head. No need for clarification!
Iosune says
Thanks for your comment James!
Chris says
Most recipe's that are non vegan use instant coffee grounds. So I can see where Tyme thought that.
Vicki Ruth Kell says
The more clarification the better , I'm not a pro in the kitchen.
Alyssa says
Great recipe! Any idea how long it would be good for?
Iosune says
Hi Alyssa! I usually consume it in a week or so, but I don't know if it could last longer, it also depends on the ingredients you use 🙂