The Best Irish Cream Liqueurs When You Want a Comforting Nightcap

What to Look for When Buying Irish Cream Liqueurs

Taste

Irish cream liqueur is synonymous with a silky, smooth, and creamy taste. When you grab a bottle of this indulgent liqueur, the quality and flavor notes of the ingredients should shine through. Mark McLaughlin, director of Irish whiskey at The Dead Rabbit in New York City, states that when it comes to Irish cream liqueurs, finding equilibrium is key. “Great Irish Cream Liqueurs are all about balance—not too sweet, with a hint of whiskey, and round coffee and chocolate notes,” he says. 

Frank Caiafa, director of the spirits portfolio at Banville Wine Merchants in New York City, also seeks out balance, as well as a long but “not saccharine” finish. “The best cream liqueurs have a melted ice cream quality to them,” he says. Elissa Dunn of HellQueen Cocktails shares that when seeking out an Irish cream, she looks for products that use great ingredients, as well as have a great texture and full flavor. Note: Some brands have additional flavors included in them, such as honey, caramel, or coconut. Whatever your favorite is, pour some into a glass and enjoy.

Ingredients

These liqueurs are made with cream, Irish whiskey, chocolate, and sugar, but what other ingredients might be in that bottle? Check the ingredients on the label to see if there is anything else. “Commonly you'll find coffee, chocolate, and vanilla flavorings, which all complement the fresh Irish Cream & Irish whiskey to make a decadent, flavourful imbibing experience,” says McLaughlin. 

And what about the people who want to drink it but don't want or can't have the dairy? Well, some manufacturers provide Irish cream liqueurs with a non-dairy alternative. Don't knock it until you've tried it out for yourself to see if you enjoy the nuttier taste of almond milk, for instance.

Best by Date / Storage

Dunn notes that Irish cream liqueurs do indeed expire, and how long they last will depend on the brand. “Check each brand individually for storage instructions,” she recommends. However, Caifa notes that a good amount of brands are relatively shelf stable for a good chunk of time—that is, before they are opened. “A good product is delicious enough that once opened, storage should not be an issue,” he says. Many manufacturers put a best-by date on the bottle, so check that date before purchasing to ensure you have the freshest product on hand. Pro tip: Irish cream liqueur should be stored in a dark pantry or cupboard. Unopened bottles will last for around two years.

FAQs

How do you serve Irish cream liqueur?

This liqueur is delicious served on its own with some ice, as a mixer in drinks such as mudslides or White Russians, in coffee, milkshakes, or hot chocolate.

Can Irish cream liqueur be used in baking?

This versatile liqueur is amazing in baking products. McLaughlin shares that the liqueurs are commonly used in cheesecake recipes across homes and restaurants in Ireland, where a splash of Irish Cream Liqueur is added to the cream cheese mixture. Caiafa finds that one of the best ways to utilize the liqueurs in baking is to fortify it and create an icing for cakes. For alternative ideas, try incorporating your favorite Irish cream liqueur into your go-to brownie, fudge, or cake recipes.

What are the best ways to enjoy Irish cream liqueur?

Dunn finds that Irish cream liqueurs are great in coffee, as well as in cocktail creations—or at its simplest, served on its own over ice. Caifa generally pours the liqueurs over ice with an added touch of whiskey, so as to “add a bit of spine—and to slow the intake pace.” 

Does Irish cream liqueur need to be kept in the refrigerator?

McLaughlin notes that Irish cream liqueurs don’t necessarily need to be kept in the refrigerator once open, though many producers will recommend that their product is “best served chilled.” For ease, Caiafa prefers to keep all of his cream liqueurs in the refrigerator, “if only to be at the ready for maximum enjoyment.” Dunn feels that most Irish cream liqueurs should be refrigerated upon opening, but that it truly is brand dependent. “Whatever Irish cream you’re using, you’re going to want to look up the storage that each brand recommends,” she says. 

What’s a good cocktail to make with Irish cream liqueur? 

We like The Dead Rabbit’s After Eight Cocktail! The recipe is below, courtesy of McLaughlin: 

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces After 8 Batch (recipe below) 
• .75 ounces Ketel One Vodka
• .5 ounces cream
• 1 dash saline

After 8 Batch 

• 1 teaspoon Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur
• .5 ounces Espresso Cane Syrup
• .5 ounces Giffard Cacao
• 1 ounces Coole Swan Irish Cream
• 1 ounces Giffard Menthe Pastille

Shake all ingredients together over ice. Strain into glass and garnish with candy cane powder.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Nicholas McClelland is a passionate whisk(e)y drinker who has written about spirits for Men’s Journal, Fatherly, and Inside Hook. His bar is deep with rare single malts, hard-to-find bourbons, and ryes, but he doesn't believe there's anything too precious to share with friends.

Vicki Denig is a wine, spirits, and travel journalist based between New York and Paris. She updated our recommendations in 2024, in addition to interviewing Mark McLaughlin of The Dead Rabbit, Frank Caiafa from Banville Wine Merchants, and Elissa Dunn of HellQueen Cocktails. Her writing regularly appears in major industry publications, including Liquor.com, WineSearcher, Decanter, and beyond. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine.