Does Baileys need to be refrigerated?

Baileys Irish Cream is a delicious cocoa flavored liqueur that is perfect to finish off a cup of coffee or make a delicious cocktail.

However, storing a bottle of Baileys can be a tricky task. After all, it has cream! Should it go in the fridge? In the pantry?

So does Baileys need to be refrigerated?  Baileys do not need to be refrigerated, as a bottle of Baileys contains 17% alcohol. However, be sure to store it in a cool, dark place, as sunlight can cause the cream to curdle over time. If you want, you can refrigerate the drink.

Now, we are sure that you have many other questions about your favorite drink. Don’t worry, because we are going to see how to best store a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream.

What is Baileys Irish Cream?

You may be confused about the ingredients that go into a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream. Is it cream? Or is it liquor? Well, they are both.

The main components of the drink are Irish cream and Irish whiskey combined with cocoa and vanilla extract.

This combination of flavors results in an incredibly creamy liqueur and is the reason 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 opening the bottle. The alcohol content of the drink provides it with preservation.

Unlike hard liquor, however, Baileys Irish Cream tends to go bad more quickly, as it contains dairy and sugar. Cream can curdle if not stored properly.

As Baileys Irish Cream contains Irish cream, you may be confused on how to store it. But, at the same time, it is important to note that the drink also contains whiskey, which has conservative qualities.

Baileys Irish Cream should be stored at room temperature or in cool places. Do not store the drink in direct heat or sunlight.

Always remember to close the bottle well before storing it in the fridge or pantry. 

If you like your Baileys Irish Cream a bit cold, you can keep it refrigerated.

Always remember to refrain from freezing your bottle of Baileys Irish Cream. Freezing the drink can cause changes in its texture.

Baileys Irish Cream contains cream that becomes solid once frozen. So, upon thawing, you may find that the fats in the cream have separated, creating an unpleasant chunky mixture.

Does Baileys need to be refrigerated after opening?

You can refrigerate Baileys Irish Cream after opening the bottle, but it’s not necessary. The decision is entirely yours.

If you like your alcohol slightly chilled, you can refrigerate the bottle for a while or even overnight before pouring yourself a long shot. 

Refrigerating your Baileys Irish Cream is not a bad idea! In fact, you can even store your drink in the fridge before or after opening the bottle.

A note of caution though: always remember to refrain from freezing Baileys Irish Cream. Freezing can change the consistency of the beautiful drink.

The freezing and thawing process that follows can change the texture of the cream, giving you a drink you may not like.

So in summary, you can refrigerate Baileys Irish Cream after opening . But refrigerating the drink isn’t necessary, unless it’s the only place to keep it away from heat and sunlight and tightly closed while in storage.

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 the drink cold, but freezing is not recommended. Freezing it can drastically decrease the quality of your favorite drink .

Once frozen and thawed, the consistency of the drink may not be as good as before.

Freezing Baileys Irish Cream can cause the cream to turn to solid ice, which will be difficult to get out of the bottle! If you wait for the cream to melt, it may change its texture during the thawing process. 

How is Baileys Irish Cream stored?

Storing Baileys Irish Cream may seem like a daunting act due to its seemingly contradictory nature of having both cream and alcohol, but there are a multitude of ways to safely and easily store this delicious drink.

Pantry

You can store your bottle of Baileys Irish Cream at room temperature in the pantry. Always make sure that the bottle is tightly closed and that the temperature is not too high. 

The alcohol content of the drink will prevent it from spoiling. But you should keep in mind that it also contains dairy and sugar.

Therefore, this drink can spoil more quickly than other alcoholic beverages. If stored uncovered or in very hot conditions, Baileys Irish Cream may spoil. 

Fridge

If you want to enjoy a glass of Baileys Irish Cream chilled, store the drink in the fridge. As we have said before, always remember to use the refrigerator and not the freezer.

However, even in the fridge, Baileys Irish Cream’s high sugar and dairy content can make it go bad much more easily than other liqueurs.

If you make sure to close the bottle tightly after opening and store it at room temperature or in the fridge, that problem should be solved.

How long does Baileys Irish Cream last?

The shelf life of a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream can be up to 2 years. As Baileys Irish Cream is not a hard liquor and contains cream, the drink’s shelf life is much faster than most alcohols.

However, check the label on the bottle to confirm the expiration date, so you can make a mental note of how long you can keep it.

Always keep the bottle tightly closed to prevent the drink from coming into contact with air, which can speed up the expiration process.

Always check if your bottle of Baileys Irish Cream has gone bad. Examine the smell, taste, and color to see if it has gone bad before pouring yourself a drink.

If you think the drink is not right, you better be sure and throw away the bottle.

How do I know if my bottle of Bailey Irish Cream has gone bad?

Baileys Irish Cream has great keeping qualities due to its alcohol content. But it also contains dairy products and cream sugar. Therefore, if not stored correctly, the bottle of Baileys Irish Cream can go bad.

Here are the signs to tell if your bottle of Bailey Irish Cream has gone bad:

Sour or unpleasant odor

If you notice that the contents of the bottle smell bad or sour, it indicates that your bottle of Baileys Irish Cream has gone bad. 

A color separation or difference

When it comes to appearance, if you see any sort of separation or difference in color, it means that the drink has gone bad. 

If you notice that the drink has changed in color to a much darker shade or the consistency to a much thicker one, your drink has gone bad.

Always remember to seal the bottle well after using it to prevent it from spoiling.

Why is my Baileys Irish Cream curdling?

Baileys Irish Cream contains alcohol and cream, and the dairy content of the drink may curdle. Your Baileys Irish Cream could be curdling for two reasons.

Make a mental note of this when you open a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream to make yourself a drink.

You may have used acids

If you have used an ingredient that contains acid, such as lemon or orange juice, when mixing the drinks, your Baileys Irish Cream may curdle.

Baileys Irish Cream contains dairy. These products can curdle when in contact with acids, especially citric acids. 

Therefore, when you prepare a drink, remember not to mix it with any ingredients that are acidic or have a low pH, as it can cause your drink to curdle.

your drink has gone bad

Chances are your drink went bad and the cream curdled because it’s past its expiration date. In these cases, the drink may have a rather unpleasant appearance, smell and taste.

Always confirm that your drink has not expired or gone bad before pouring yourself a drink . If you ingest milk or curdled cream, you can get sick. Therefore, always check that your drink has not spoiled before consuming it.

Remember to store the drink in a cool place and not in direct sunlight or heat. This will ensure that your Baileys Irish Cream stays fresh for a long time.

How can I enjoy Baileys Irish Cream?

There are many ways to enjoy your Baileys Irish Cream.

Enjoy your Baileys Irish Cream directly 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 unleash your imagination and mix it up to make tasty martinis, cocktails, and even coffee. Incorporate Baileys Irish Cream in your desserts and make it with the ingredients that you like the most, such as coconut flavor.

Related questions

Now that we’ve gone over how to properly store Baileys Irish Cream, let’s look at some 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 contains traces of lactose.

Therefore, Baileys Irish Cream is not recommended for those who are lactose intolerant.

However, Baileys has introduced an alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or want a lactose-free option. They have introduced alternatives such as the use of almond milk that comes without lactose.

Can I make coffee with Baileys Irish Cream?

You can prepare a delicious coffee with Baileys Irish Cream. You can brew your cup of black coffee and add Baileys Irish Cream to it according to your own taste.

Baileys Irish Cream Coffee is one of the most popular drinks made. Isn’t that great news, deep L lovers? You can also customize your cup of Baileys Irish Cream Coffee by adding other ingredients, such as whipped cream.

Is Baileys Irish Cream good for you?

Having the occasional Baileys Irish Cream is not a problem and can even be quite a refreshing drink. However, it is not recommended to drink Baileys Irish Cream on a daily basis.

Baileys Irish Cream contains large amounts of sugar and fat from the cream and other ingredients.

This can do more harm than good for your body, especially if you have health problems. Therefore, it is not recommended to drink 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, heavy, heavy or whipped cream, and chocolate sauce.

Check out this youtube video that clearly explains how to make your own Baileys Irish Cream at home: