Last year my friends and fellow food bloggers, Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial, and Manuela from Manu's Menu, reminded me that it was high time that I tried making my own Irish cream liqueur, and so I finally did it. Let me just tell you, it was good, very good, actually a little too good! It's so very easy to make and, as Celia says, tastes better than the bought stuff.
Both recipes offer excellent results, although I found that the ratio of whisky to other liquids in Manuela's version made a highly potent batch and I confess that I needed to add extra cream and condensed milk to suit my taste buds. Manu's addition of vanilla and almond extract is interesting and quite pleasing to the palate. Celia's recipe relies on melted chocolate, rather than chocolate syrup, so her version is far more simple. It's also deliciously rich and a little dangerous (as in, highly drinkable), so I would halve the quantities unless you intend to give out bottles of Irish cream as Christmas gifts, which is not a bad idea. Oh yes, and I note that Celia has been experimenting with a Cointreau and dark chocolate recipe and I'm sure she'll post the results in the fullness of time. With the festive season fast approaching, I recommend you jump in and visit both blogs for the individual recipes and try your hand at home made Irish liqueur. Just don't wait as long as I did, my friends. Sláinte! 
In the late 1980s, a friend gave me a recipe for home made Irish cream. It was in the days of typewriters and she had studiously and meticulously typed it out for me. I say that because it was sans any sign of 'Wite Out' or 'Liquid Cover Up'. Those of you who've been around as long as I have know that it was quite an achievement to type an A4 page without errors and, hey, there was no backspace correction facility on an Olivetti. Anyway, I tucked the recipe into a folder with a pile of others that I wanted to make, and then somehow forgot about it... for twenty years!
Now tell me dear readers, have you ever 'sat on' a recipe for as long as I did? What was the recipe? Do tell! ت
46 Comments
Lizzy
23/11/2014 01:45:47 pm
My pleasure, you know I love your recipes my friend. : )
Lizzy
23/11/2014 01:45:22 pm
Hi Liz... yes, I've tried it with store bought chocolate syrup as well as home made... but I loved the melted chocolate!
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:05:13 am
And with those even larger marshmallows at Costco, you are well and truly sorted, Ms Fran : )
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:05:35 am
Oh Krista, you lucky duck to have Oma! 23/11/2014 08:13:19 pm
Weirdly, my 'sat on' recipe also featured alcohol ... it's a 'cake' made from plain chocolate biscuits dipped in an alcohol bath and sandwiched together with cream. The recipe came from a winery that makes chocolate port and I'd got it when I first visited a LONG time ago. Last year I went there again, bought the choc port and dug out the recipe! It was AMAZING!!
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:06:00 am
Oh wow, Red, that recipe sounds very interesting! Do tell me more! 23/11/2014 09:34:19 pm
I love this too. I haven't made it in ages though-I think I did it for a St Patrick's day! :P So much better than bought!
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:06:21 am
So true, Lorraine, so true : )
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:06:44 am
Hi Rosa, indeed, cheers. : )
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:07:24 am
Oh yes, lovely, I saw the latest version... how very delicious! If I kept making this, I need pants in SM size... 'Small Marquee!'.
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:07:59 am
Hi John, with your love of good cocktails, I think it's high time you delved into this... : ) 24/11/2014 09:34:31 am
Oh I love Irish cream, what could be better than homemade?! :)
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:08:20 am
Hi Laura, home made is surely very good!
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:08:44 am
Sigh, Amanda, like you I have so many recipes and so little time! 24/11/2014 11:19:58 am
Irish Cream is something we always have on hand during the holidays, we love to put it into our coffee. My parents made their own liquors too, I may have to try Celia's recipe.
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:09:02 am
Hi Eva, I really think you should : ) 24/11/2014 11:28:14 am
Thanks for this post. I am just starting to think about what to make for Christmas. I have never made liqueurs before, so this might be the right year to give it a go.
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:09:28 am
Tania, I reckon you are right, just do it, gal! xox 24/11/2014 01:02:57 pm
Good one! I've just nominated you for a 'Very Inspiring Blogger Award' and will publish the post that includes your name soon. No need to participate - just enjoy.
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:10:10 am
Oh Ambra, you are a legend and I am humbled and honoured to have appeared on a list among such esteemed friends. Thank you xo 24/11/2014 09:02:46 pm
G'day There's nothing like making one's own
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:10:29 am
Cheers, Joanne xo
I have a lot of recipes I’ve stashed away for years, but one you’ll find rather amusing is one I re-found a few weeks ago that I’d originally cut from The Chronicle more than 12 years ago. It’s a recipe for Kakaos Csiga by one Liz Posmyk! I think this might be my sign to try it :)
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:11:09 am
Oh wow, Beck... that IS funny... you know, I don't remember sharing that one in the paper... but perhaps I did... my mum may still have been alive back then xox 26/11/2014 06:58:08 am
Oooh yummy Liz! Sounds very dangerously drinkable indeed!
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:11:34 am
Bec, it surely is... have you made this yet? xo 26/11/2014 07:17:00 am
I remember learning to type on those typewriters - impossible to hide your mistakes! Remember typing with carbon paper so you'd have an extra copy - not too many offices had photocopiers back then. How quickly things have changed. I was fortunate to be given a bottle of Celia's Baileys and can attest to how fabulous it is xx
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:12:08 am
Those were the days, weren't they Charlie! Ooooh, you lucky thing to receive a bottle from Celia xox Nice.
What a great idea for holiday gifts! Believe it or not, the only time I have had Irish Cream was on the flight to my father's funeral. The flight attendant bought it to us not having any idea how sad we were. It makes me thinks very fondly of the drink!
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:12:56 am
Oh David, that is very touching... And as for home made croissants... the holidays are coming so now's the time, no? xox 26/11/2014 03:45:56 pm
LOVE - Love - LOVE! This drink reminds me of the spunky Irish man I had a whirlwind 48hr date with. Oh the memories. :)
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:13:21 am
Ooooooh, Anna, do tell! xox 26/11/2014 06:26:14 pm
I think I might have to give these a go. I used to work on the first ever word processor - that was such a step up from typewriters. And now we have mobile phones that double as computers!
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:13:56 am
Oh yes, Tandy, I remember those ones too. Do give this a try! You'll love it. 26/11/2014 10:04:24 pm
I saw this on Facebook and was so eager to make my own. I have no excuse now. I love this stuff.
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:14:21 am
Maureen, the home made is even better.... you'll love it! 28/11/2014 12:53:02 am
Ooh, great idea for Christmas drinking and giving. I am making Pomegranate vodka but I will add one of these to the list of soon-to-makes. Now, to decide which one. Thanks for sharing these two links.
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:14:49 am
Pomegranate vodka! Lordy. Where can I find your recipe Kellie xox Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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Hi. I'm Liz. I'm a writer, cook and traveller based in Canberra, Australia.
I love the process of writing and the stringing together of words to form a story borne from the wisp of an idea. I also greatly enjoy cooking and travelling. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes, postcards and morsels from my adventures, conversations with cookery writers and chefs, and news on food and cooking.  Search by topicNB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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