Does Baileys Need To Be Refrigerated?
Baileys Irish Cream is a delicious cocoa-flavored liqueur that’s perfect for topping off a cup of coffee or making a delicious cocktail.
However, storing a bottle of Baileys can be a tricky task. After all, it has cream in it! Does it need to go in the fridge? In the pantry?
So, does Baileys need to be refrigerated? Baileys doesn’t need to be refrigerated since a bottle of Baileys contains 17% alcohol. However, make sure to keep it stored in a cool, dark place as sunlight can cause the cream to curdle over time. You can refrigerate your drink if you wish.
Now, we’re pretty sure you have many other questions regarding your favorite drink. Fret not, as we’re going to take a look at how to best store a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream!
What Is Baileys Irish Cream?
You may be confused regarding the ingredients used in a Baileys Irish Cream bottle. Is it cream? Or is it liquor? Well, it’s both.
The main components of the drink are Irish cream and Irish whiskey combined with cocoa and vanilla extract.
This combination of flavors makes an incredible creamy liqueur and it is why Baileys Irish Cream is one of the best-selling liqueurs in the world.
Does Baileys Need To Be Refrigerated?
Baileys Irish Cream is 17% alcohol, so it does not require refrigeration before or after the bottle is opened. The alcohol content in the drink provides preservation to the drink.
However, unlike hard liquors, Baileys Irish Cream tends to go bad faster since it contains dairy and sugar. The cream can curdle if not stored properly.
Since Baileys Irish Cream contains Irish cream, you may be confused about how to store it. But, at the same time, it is important to note that the drink also contains whiskey, which has preservative qualities.
You should store Baileys Irish Cream at room temperature or in cool places. Do not keep the drink under direct heat or sunlight.
Always remember to shut the bottle tight before storing it in the fridge or the pantry.
If you like your Baileys Irish cream a little chilled, you can keep it refrigerated.
Always remember to refrain from freezing your bottle of Baileys Irish Cream. Freezing the drink can lead to changes in the texture of the drink.
Baileys Irish Cream contains cream which will turn solid once frozen. So, after thawing, you may find that the fats in the cream have separated, creating an off-putting chunky mixture.
Does Baileys Need To Be Refrigerated After Opening?
You can refrigerate Baileys Irish Cream after you open the bottle but it is not necessary. The decision is entirely yours to make!
If you like your alcohol a little chilled, you can refrigerate your bottle for some time or even overnight before pouring yourself a good drink.
Refrigerating your Baileys Irish Cream is not a bad idea! In fact, you can even store your drink in the refrigerator before or after opening the bottle.
However, a note of caution: always remember to refrain from freezing Baileys Irish Cream. Freezing can change the consistency of the beautiful drink.
The freezing and then thawing process that follows can change the texture of the cream giving you a drink that you may not enjoy.
So, in a nutshell, you can definitely refrigerate your Baileys Irish Cream after it is opened. But refrigerating the drink is not necessary unless it’s the only place to keep it away from heat and sunlight and tightly shut while storing.
You can keep the drink at room temperature and not worry about it going bad!
Can I Freeze Baileys Irish Cream?
You can refrigerate your bottle of Baileys Irish Cream if you want to enjoy your drink chilled but freezing it is not recommended. Freezing it can drastically decrease the quality of your favorite drink.
Once frozen and defrosted, the consistency of the drink might not be as good as it was.
Freezing Baileys Irish Cream can cause the cream to turn into solid ice, which will be hard to get out of the bottle! If you wait for the cream to melt, it can change its texture during the thawing process.
How Do You Store Baileys Irish Cream?
Storing Baileys Irish Cream may seem like a daunting act due to its seemingly contradictory nature of having both cream and alcohol in it, but there are a multitude of ways to safely and easily store this delicious beverage.
Pantry
You can store your bottle of Baileys Irish cream at room temperature in the pantry. Always make sure the bottle is tightly sealed and the temperature is not too hot.
The alcohol content in the drink will prevent the drink from going bad. But, you should note that it contains dairy and sugar too!
As such, this drink can go bad faster than other alcoholic drinks. If kept unsealed or in very hot conditions, Baileys Irish Cream can go bad.
Refrigerator
If you want to enjoy a glass of chilled Baileys Irish Cream, go ahead and store your drink in the fridge. As stated earlier, always remember to use the refrigerator and not the freezer.
However, even in the fridge, the high sugar and dairy content in the Baileys Irish Cream can cause it to go bad much easier than other liquors.
If you make sure to seal the bottle tightly after opening and store it at room temperature or in the refrigerator, that problem should be solved.
How Long Is The Shelf Life Of Baileys Irish Cream?
The shelf life of a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream can last up to 2 years. Since Baileys Irish Cream is not hard liquor and it contains cream, the expiry of the drink is much faster than most alcohols.
However, refer to the label on the bottle to confirm the date of expiry so that you can make a mental note as to how long you can keep it.
Always keep the bottle tightly shut to avoid the drink coming in contact with air that can speed up the expiration process.
Always check to see if your bottle of Baileys Irish Cream has gone bad. Examine the smell, taste, and color to see if it has gone bad before you pour yourself a drink.
If you feel something is off with the drink, better be safe and discard the bottle.
How Do I Know If My Bottle Of Bailey Irish Cream Has Gone Bad?
Baileys Irish Cream has high preservative qualities due to its alcohol content. But, it also contains dairy and sugar from the cream. So, if not stored properly, the bottle of Baileys Irish Cream can go bad.
Below are a signs to see if your bottle of Bailey Irish Cream has gone bad:
A Sour Or Foul Smell
If you notice that the content in the bottle smells sour or foul, it indicates that your bottle of Baileys Irish Cream has gone bad.
A Separation Or Color Difference
In terms of looks, if you see any sort of separation or color difference, it means that the drink has gone bad.
If you notice the drink has changed color to a much darker shade or the consistency to a much thicker one, your drink must have become spoiled.
Always remember to seal your bottle tightly after use to prevent your bottle of goodness from going bad.
Why Does My Baileys Irish Cream Curdle?
The Baileys Irish Cream contains alcohol and cream and the dairy content in the drink can curdle. Your Baileys Irish Cream could be curdling due to two reasons.
Keep a mental note of this while you open a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream to mix yourself a drink.
You Might Have Used Acids
If you used an ingredient that contains acid, such as lemon or orange juice, while mixing the drinks, your Baileys Irish Cream can curdle.
Baileys Irish Cream contains dairy products. These products can curdle when they come in contact with acids, especially citric acids.
So, when you mix yourself a drink, remember not to mix it with any ingredient that is acidic or has a low pH as it can cause your drink to curdle.
Your Drink Has Gone Bad
It is most likely that your drink has gone bad and the cream has curdled because it has passed its expiration date. In such cases, the drink can look, smell and taste quite unpleasant to you.
Always confirm that your drink has not expired or has gone bad before you pour yourself a drink. If you ingest curdled milk or cream, it can make you sick. So, always check your drink for spoilage before you consume it.
Remember to store your drink in a cool place and not under direct sunlight or heat. This will ensure your Baileys Irish Cream stays fresh for a long time.
How Can I Enjoy Baileys Irish Cream?
There is no shortage of ways to enjoy your Baileys Irish Cream!
Enjoy your Baileys Irish Cream straight poured over ice. You can also add some classic ingredients like chocolate sauce, whipped cream, ice cream, or even chocolate chips to create your drink.
You can let your imagination run wild and mix it to produce tasty martinis, cocktails, and even coffee. Incorporate Baileys Irish Cream in your desserts and make it with ingredients you love the most, like coconut flavor.
Related Questions
Now that we’ve gone over how to properly store Baileys Irish Cream, let’s take a look at a few related questions!
Does Baileys Irish Cream contain lactose?
Baileys Irish Cream contains Irish dairy cream along with the other ingredients. The cream contains milk and milk products and, naturally, they contain traces of lactose.
So, the Baileys Irish Cream is not recommended for those who deal with lactose intolerance.
However, Baileys has introduced an alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or want a lactose-free option. They have introduced alternatives such as using almond milk that comes lactose-free.
Can I make coffee with Baileys Irish Cream?
You can make delicious coffee with Baileys Irish Cream. You can make your cup of black coffee and add Baileys Irish cream to it according to your own taste.
Coffee with Baileys Irish Cream is one of the most popular drinks made. Isn’t this great news, coffee lovers? You can also customize your cup of coffee with Baileys Irish Cream by adding other ingredients such as whipped cream.
Is Baileys Irish Cream good for your health?
Occasionally having Baileys Irish Cream is not a problem and it can even be quite a refreshing drink. However, it is not recommended to drink Baileys Irish Cream daily.
Baileys Irish Cream contains high amounts of sugar and fat from the cream and other ingredients.
This can do more harm than good to your body especially if you suffer from health problems. Therefore, it is not recommended to have this drink every day.
Can I make Baileys Irish Cream at home?
You can make your Baileys Irish Cream at home and it is quite simple to make if you have access to all the ingredients.
All you need is whiskey, sweetened condensed milk, thickened, heavy, or whipping cream, and chocolate sauce.
Watch this youtube video that clearly explains how to make your own Baileys Irish Cream at home:
