This blog post is for all Bailey’s lovers out there. Today we’ll be discussing whether it’s vegan or not and what you should know before purchasing it. We will also provide some alternatives so that you can still enjoy your favorite drink while sticking to your vegan values!
The short answer
The traditional Bailey’s liqueur made with dairy milk and cream isn’t vegan-friendly but they do have a version that some vegans can enjoy. The same goes for many similar products that market themselves as Irish creams and Canadian creams. Amarula is also a similar product and likewise not vegan.
What is Bailey’s Irish Cream?
Bailey’s Irish Cream is a liqueur that was created in Ireland by the company of Bailey. It has been around since 1974 and it tastes like cream, coffee beans with hints of chocolate flavorings, and of course Irish whisky.
Why is it so popular?
Bailey’s is very popular in the wintertime, especially over the holiday period. It is a drink that can be enjoyed by many people. It is synonymous with sitting in front of the fire covered by a blanket listening to holiday music. Because Bailey’s is part of many people’s holiday traditions, there is a certain amount of nostalgia associated with it. In recent years, Bailey’s has come out with seasonal versions of the popular drink such as Bailey’s chocolate cherry, salted caramel, espresso crème and vanilla cinnamon.
What is not vegan in Bailey’s Irish Cream?
There is only one ingredient in Bailey’s that is not vegan, and that is the cream. The cream in Bailey’s Irish Cream comes from cows, which are not vegan because they produce milk that contains lactose and casein (both of these substances come exclusively from animals).
What are some alternatives to the original Bailey’s Irish Cream?
Bailey’s Almande
Bailey’s Almande was released in 2017 after many requests from the vegan community. After some confusion (with the first iteration containing beeswax), the company reformulated the almond-based cream to be completely vegan. It contains soy and almond and is almost if not completely identical to the non-vegan version. It can be used just like the original Bailey’s in cocktails, hot coffee and chocolate, lattes, and even smoothies. Bailey’s Almande has an alcohol content of 13% which is a little lower than the non-vegan version of Bailey’s. If you love Bailey’s we’re sure you’re going to love the delicious taste of Bailey’s Almande. You can find it in many liquor stores and supermarkets. And while it is not an issue for most of us, Baileys guarantee their liqueur tastes just as good at 2 years old, whether you store it in your fridge or not!
Besos de Oro
If you are lucky enough to be located in the UK or Australia, you can get Besos de Oro. Besos de Oro is a vegan liqueur that tastes a lot like Bailey’s. It has an alcohol content of 18% and it can be used in any way you would use the original version, including cocktails or coffee! It has two flavors, original and chocolate and it is nut-free because it is made from tiger nuts which is actually a tuber and is a key ingredient in horchata. The other ingredient in this delicious drink is Spanish brandy.
Licor 43 Horchata
The delicate fusion of the traditional horchata from Valencia & Licor 43 Original makes a deliciously light, silky Spanish liqueur. Like Besos de Oro the horchata is made from tiger nuts which makes it nut-free. This drink is very popular in Mexico and is available in the US and Canada. Please note, this drink has a different taste, perhaps a bit more aniseed flavoured than Bailey’s, but tasty nonetheless.
Almondaire
Almondaire is a delicious and warming drink, with hints of almond. It’s not overpowering at all though – it has a perfect balance so that you can still enjoy its sweet flavor. I would definitely recommend this to anyone as an after-dinner cocktail or just for fun on any day! Found in the US only.
Bom Bom Vegan Liqueurs
Bom Bom is another vegan cream liqueur company, but at the time of writing this, it seems that they are no longer operating. Their website has expired and their social media platforms have not been updated in a while.
There are some other cream liquors available that appear to be vegan, but according to Barnivore, they are not. It is made especially challenging because so many of these companies do not list all the ingredients due to having a secret recipe they do not want to make public.
Homemade recipe
There are lots of recipes online that you can try, although they will not have the shelf life of the bottled varieties.
Ingredients:
- One cup of vegan creamer (soy, coconut, or almond)
- Two tablespoons agave syrup.
- A few drops of vanilla
- Whisky
- Shot of coffee
Instructions:
Blend everything up, pour over ice and serve. Blanket and cozy fireplace optional.
Conclusion
I hope this post has helped you to know if Bailey’s is vegan or not. While the original Bailey’s is not vegan, there are some great alternatives that are fairly widely available, and of course, you can always make your own.
Let’s Discuss!
We’d love to hear from you! Do you have any questions? Any favorite Bailey’s alternative or your own special recipe? Let us know in the comments below!
