Irish cream is a cream liqueur based on Irish whiskey, cream, and other ingredients such as coffee, which can be served on its own or used in mixed drinks or as part of a shot or a whole shot. Irish cream is very popular in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Irish cream typically has between 15 to 20% alcohol by volume (ABV). Some notable brands of Irish cream are Baileys, Carolans and Saint Brendan's.
It is usually served on the rocks as a moderately strong beverage on its own, but is often mixed stronger by adding more whiskey, often Scotch whisky or sometimes bourbon, which complements the Irish Whiskey used in brewing. Coffee liqueur such as Kahlúa and many caramel liqueurs are also used. Baileys is a common addition to White Russians, due to its creamy flavor.
Some recipes for Irish cream liqueur have been published, which use various combinations of Irish whiskey, cream, coffee (sometimes, and usually optional), sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. Many have significantly less alcohol by volume than the commercial brands.