This homemade vegan Baileys tastes just like real Baileys. It’s creamy and rich and smooth and the best thing is that you can make it in 5 minutes with a few easy ingredients and a blender.
I’ll admit that it took a few tries to get this Vegan Baileys recipe just perfect but perfect is exactly what it is.
We even did a taste test comparing real Baileys with this vegan version and had a friend compare the two side by side and they said it’s REALLY close and they might even prefer the vegan version. So that is a WIN.
Baileys do have a vegan version on the market called Baileys Almande and that looks really divine, but it’s not accessible everywhere in the world. So if you want a dairy free Baileys and can’t necessarily just go and buy it at the store then this is the way forward.
How To Make Vegan Baileys
You will find full instructions and measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. This is a summary of the process to go along with the process photos.
- It’s so simple. Just add two cans of full fat canned coconut milk to the blender jug.
- Add light brown sugar and pour in Jameson Irish Whiskey.
- Add cocoa powder and instant coffee and vanilla extract and then blend until smooth and creamy.
- Serve over ice (or just chilled, no ice) and enjoy!
Ingredient Notes
The coconut milk must be canned full fat, and unsweetened. Don’t use coconut milk from a carton it won’t be rich enough.
In spite of the coconut base for this drink, the coconut taste doesn’t come through strongly at all. The end result is just a delicious creamy drink.
If you need an alternate to coconut milk then I would choose something like homemade cashew milk so that you can control how rich and creamy it is, because you do want this to be a very creamy drink.
You can use coconut sugar rather than brown sugar if you prefer. Either/or will be delicious.
We used Jamesons Irish Whiskey which was delicious in this drink but feel free to use any Irish whiskey that you like.
We used instant espresso powder for the coffee powder, but you can use any instant coffee powder.
Storing Vegan Baileys
Store it in the fridge and enjoy within about a week. It thickens a little more in the fridge, compared to when it’s just freshly blended, but this is fine especially if you’re serving it over ice which will thin it out again anyway.
You may just need to stir it up again before serving if it’s been standing for a bit.
More Vegan Drinks
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below!
Vegan Baileys
Ingredients
- 28 ounces Canned Coconut Milk (800ml) Full Fat, Unsweetened
- ½ cup Light Brown Sugar (100g)
- 1 ½ cups Jamesons Irish Whiskey (360ml)
- 2 tsp Cocoa Powder Unsweetened
- 1 tsp Instant Coffee Powder
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Add the coconut milk to the blender jug and then add the brown sugar, Jamesons, cocoa powder, coffee powder and vanilla extract.
- Blend until smooth.
- Serve over ice or just serve it chilled (no ice).
Video
Notes
- You can use any Irish whiskey that you like and have on hand.
- We used instant espresso powder but any instant coffee powder will work.
- We have heard from some readers that the coconut milk split. It may actually be best to use a brand of coconut milk that is NOT organic, so that it contains emulsifiers and stabilizers, as this tends to create the best results.
- Keep leftovers stored in the fridge and consume within about a week. It may thicken a bit in the fridge, just stir it up before serving.
The best Vegan Baileys
This tasted amazing! I have tried other alternatives and nothing has ever quite matched the baileys taste………..until now. This has been the closest match in my opinion. So easy to make. I have shared the recipe with friends and will definitely make this again!
Yay! Happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe Tina! Thanks for sharing and for your great review!
Deeeeerlish! Had to use a shot of espresso rather than instant and it’s awesome. Thanks!
Great! Thanks for sharing and for the great review!
Thank you for creating and sharing this amazing recipe. I was worried that I’d have to give up irish cream and this was a brilliant substitute. I made it with your cashew milk and served it to friends last night and it went over fantastically!
Glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe Nitin! Thanks for sharing and for your great review!
I’ve just made this recipe and it’s absolutely divine. I did use Elmlea plant cream as that’s what I had in and Irish cream syrup (non alcoholic). Perfect for Christmas. Thank you 😊
Happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe Lesley! Thanks for the awesome review!
Taste is wonderful. However, organic coconut milk or not, there is still separation. I put it thru a mesh strainer and ladled any off the top as needed. Missed my Baileys! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing Barbara!
Hi. I have made this recipe many times and love it. I find that it always splits, no matter which coconut milk I use, but I just keep blending it over and over, and eventually it combines.
Also, I was wondering what brands of coconut milk people use?
could I just use Elmlea plant cream for this. Also I like to add a splash of vodka and it always curdles 😩 any tips to stop that?
love your recipes. x
Hi Jacqueline. You could try and mix it for longer and see if that helps.
Thank you!!! I have missed Baileys since realising milk/cream products triggered my IBS & now I can make my own symptom free!! 🥰
I made 1/2 the recipe as husband doesn’t like Baileys, and I will probably reduce the whiskey (a bit) for my next batch as a little strong, but it’s yummy. Definitely creamier after a bit of time in the fridge.
I also tried freezing a portion – it doesn’t freeze solid due to alcohol content, but it did create a Baileys-type Frozen pudding, think Sorbet consistency, and no splitting.
Happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe Sarah! Thanks so much for your great review!
I just made this and it’s very tasty. Best served chilled. It’s a great vegan alternative to Baileys. Thank you so much.
Thanks for sharing Christine!
I don’t know what I’ve done wrong, but it’s really thick! Even before going in the fridge. I even put a load of oat milk in after to try and water it down, but that barely helped. Any advice?
Sorry to hear that Alex. This has never happened to us before, so I’m not sure what went wrong.
Was very thick the longer it sat. Next time I may try one can of coconut milk with the same amount of coconut milk in the carton. Not sure what else to do.
So sorry to hear that Patti! This has never happened to us before, so not sure what went wrong either.
I did not read the comments before making this and ended up with a huge batch of separated coconut milk😩! I used a high quality full fat canned coconut milk. I’m upset because I don’t have enough whiskey left to make another batch with some other type of plant milk. Please make a note in the recipe for others so this doesn’t happen to others… 🥺
Sorry to hear that! This has never happened to us, it could possibly be the brand of coconut milk you used.
This happened to me too, and I hadn’t read the comments until after. High quality canned coconut milk used. Next time I will just use carton coconut milk. Still tastes good but definitely split!