Baileys Cocktails: Creating Something Different For Guests

This creamy nectar has been a bar classic for over 40 years but who should we be raising a glass to thank for this epic creation?

In early 1970s in Dublin, David Dand and his team set out to make an unapologetically luxurious liqueur.

The idea was straightforward: combine Ireland's rich, quality dairy (helped by a healthy supply of rainfall) with its fine whiskey, the result could be nothing other than delicious.

Early on the team agreed they had stumbled across something epic, but the difficult task was combining whiskey and cream in one bottle without it separating. Armed with their trusty Kenwood kitchen mixer, it took them almost three years to settle on a recipe with all the taste and a significant shelf life.

Now available in over 150 countries, Baileys is beloved worldwide as the quality go-to for that unmistakable cream liqueur.

Baileys Almande is a vegan-friendly almond liqueur that's light on dairy but heavy on delicious. 

• Almande is a blend of sweet almond oil, cane sugar and purified water with a touch of vanilla.

• With a light, candied almond profile and lavish mouthfeel, it's an excellent digestif (neat or over ice) or an ideal component for a dairy-free cocktail or dessert.

• Baileys Almande could be considered orgeat's 'heavier cousin' and used to create a more weighted after-dinner drink.

• Try in a Mai Tai riff, using a spiced rum with nutty elements to draw out the Almande. It plays nicely with lime, pineapple and orange liqueur notes.

Baileys didn't hold back when it created the Chocolate Luxe variant 37 years after the original. 

• It took the team 839 tries to make an indulgent chocolate liqueur that matched Baileys' quality and multisensory experience.

• An intriguing science behind Baileys Chocolate Luxe involved testing out 200 different types of chocolate.

• Finally, a chocolate partner created a bespoke chocolate, and the team mastered the perfect blend.

• With a luxurious combination of Belgian chocolate and Baileys Original Irish Cream, it's one of the most impressive drinks to offer chocolate lovers after a meal.

Add a whole world of indulgence to your menus with a simple addition of Baileys. It's an easy way to upsell a dessert or add a layer of luxury to your coffee or cocktails.

Here are two delicious Baileys-inspired recipes to try at your venue:

1. Baileys Almande Peach Smoothie: A delightful balance of creamy, nutty, and fruity notes with sweetness from the peaches and vanilla.

2. Baileys Chocolate Orange: A harmonious, indulgent blend of zesty chocolate zesty orange with a hint of cinnamon.