This vegan Baileys is creamier and lighter than the original — you likely won’t notice the difference. Ready in 5 minutes with just 5 ingredients.
I rarely drink alcohol, but when I do I reach for Irish cream. This homemade vegan Baileys is one of my favorites: dairy-free, lactose-free and entirely plant-based. It’s simple, fast and excellent for anyone who avoids dairy — including people with lactose intolerance.
The texture is rich and the flavor closely mimics the classic liqueur. Made with a few pantry staples, it’s so good you may never buy store-bought Baileys again. The recipe is naturally gluten-free and takes about five minutes to make.
Ingredient notes
- Whiskey: the recipe uses Jameson in the original version, but any whiskey you prefer will work.
- Vanilla extract: homemade vanilla extract is affordable and flavorful, but store-bought works fine too.
- Full‑fat canned coconut milk: this gives the creamiest texture. You can substitute other plant milks—homemade cashew or almond milk—but canned coconut milk is recommended for best results.
- Agave or maple syrup: these are used for sweetness. You can swap in other sweeteners such as cane sugar, or try dates if you want a less refined option.
Dietary variations
- Sugar-free option: replace the syrup with blended dates to sweeten naturally; adjust quantity to taste.
How to make vegan Baileys
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend for 1–2 minutes until smooth.
- Serve chilled or over ice. Shake well before pouring if stored.
How to store
- Fridge: keep leftovers refrigerated for up to 1 week. Shake before serving.
Is Baileys vegan?
Traditional Baileys Irish Cream contains dairy cream and is not vegan. This homemade version replaces dairy with plant-based ingredients to create a vegan alternative.
Serving suggestions
Use this vegan Baileys in coffee, stirred into vegan hot chocolate, poured over desserts, or enjoyed on its own over ice.
Looking for more vegan drinks?
- Lemon Ginger Tea
- Turmeric Latte
- Matcha Latte
- Golden Milk
- Fruit-Infused Water
Did you make this vegan Baileys recipe?
Please leave a comment and rate the recipe — I’d love to hear how it turned out for you.
This post contains affiliate links to help you find products used in the recipe; purchases through those links may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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Vegan Baileys
Ingredients
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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
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Add all ingredients to a blender and blend for 1–2 minutes or until smooth.
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Serve chilled or over ice. Shake well before using. You can also add it to coffee or vegan hot chocolate for a rich treat.
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Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes
- For the creamiest texture use canned full‑fat coconut milk. Other plant milks like cashew or almond can be used but may yield a thinner result.
- Sweeteners are flexible — swap agave or maple syrup for your preferred option and adjust sweetness to taste.
Nutrition
Did you try this recipe?
Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!
Update Notes: This post was originally published in March 2014 and was updated with new photos, step-by-step instructions and tips in February 2022.