Baileys Irish Cream

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Baileys Irish Cream
Baileys Irish Cream.svg
Type Liqueur
Manufacturer Gilbeys of Ireland
Country of origin Ireland
Introduced 1974
Alcohol by volume 17.0%
Variants mint chocolate
crème caramel
Coffee
Website www.baileys.com

Baileys Irish Cream (the registered trademark omits the apostrophe) is an Irish whiskey and cream based liqueur, made by Gilbeys of Ireland. The trademark is currently owned by Diageo. It has a declared alcohol content of 17% alcohol by volume.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

Introduced in 1974, Baileys was the first Irish Cream liqueur on the market. It can be compared to other cream liqueurs such as Amarula, Carolans and Sangster's.

[edit] Manufacture

200 ml bottle of Baileys Irish Cream

Baileys was the first 44% liqueur to use cream and alcohol together in a manner sufficiently stable to allow commercial distribution. The alcohol in Bailey's is produced from a bacterial fermentation of whey. The cream and alcohol, together with some whiskey are homogenized to form an emulsion, with the aid of an emulsifier containing refined vegetable oil. This process prevents separation of the whiskey and cream during storage. The quantity of other ingredients is not known but they include chocolate, vanilla, caramel and sugar.[citation needed]

According to the manufacturer no preservatives are required as the alcohol content preserves the cream.

The Orchard Centre at the Hayden Farm in south County Wicklow has been the dedicated visitor farm and the spiritual home of Bailey's Irish Cream since 2002. With a pedigree herd of 140 cows producing over 1 million litres of milk for Baileys annually. The Orchard Centre, with capacity for group up to 350 people, also caters for special events, incentives, conferences and the ultimate Baileys Experience.

The cream used in the drink comes from Glanbia plc, a major player in the Irish dairy market. Glanbia's Virginia facility in County Cavan produces a range of fat filled milk powders and fresh cream. It has been the principal cream supplier to Baileys Irish Cream Liqueurs for over thirty years.

[edit] Storage and shelf life

According to the manufacturer, Baileys has a shelf life of 24 months. It should be stored between 5 and 35 degrees Celsius, or 41 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.[2]

[edit] Drinking

A glass of Baileys coffee

Irish Cream can be drunk by itself, over ice, or as part of a cocktail. It is also commonly used as an addition to coffee in lieu of cream or sugar and also, with the Baileys unboiled, served with Horlicks.

As is the case with milk, cream will curdle whenever it comes into contact with a weak acid. Milk and cream contain casein which coagulates when mixed with weak acids such as lemon, tonic water, or traces of wine. While this outcome is undesirable in most situations, some cocktails specifically encourage coagulation.

This coagulation has given rise to an urban legend in Belgium and the Netherlands that the combination of Baileys and tonic is lethal.[3]

A Cement Mixer is an alcoholic drink usually made with lemon or lime juice and Baileys Irish Cream though acidic alcohols can replace the juice. A shot of juice is taken first and held in the cheek, followed by a shot of Baileys, with the two mixed in the mouth. The acidity of the juice curdles the Irish cream and the mixture is either swallowed or spat out because of the nature of the taste and texture felt inside the mouth.

Baileys Coffee is made using a measure of Baileys in a cup of coffee and then topped off with cream.

[edit] Origin

Bailey's Irish Cream was created by Gilbeys of Ireland as it searched for something to introduce to the international market. The process of finding a product began in 1971 and the product was introduced in 1974. Despite attributions to Andrew Bailey of the R.A. Bailey Company, no such person existed. The choice of the name Bailey was based on branding.[4][5]

[edit] Nutritional values

Advertisement for Baileys in Dublin

Diageo provides nutritional information for Baileys.[6]

An average 1.5 oz (43 g) serving contains the following:
Fat 5.7 g
Total Carbohydrate 11 g
Protein 1.3 g
Calories 144

[edit] Variant flavors

In 2003 Bailey & Co. launched Baileys Glide, aimed at the alcopop market. It was discontinued in 2006.[7]

In 2005 Baileys launched mint chocolate and crème caramel variants of its Irish Cream at 17% ABV. They were originally released in UK airports and were subsequently released in the mass market of the UK, US, Australia and Canada in 2006. In 2008 Baileys, after the success of previous flavour variants, released a coffee variant of its Irish Cream with an ABV of 17%.[8] The company is currently trialling a new premium variety, Baileys Gold, at several European airports.[9]

Häagen-Dazs has a Baileys flavoured ice cream.[10]

Ben and Jerry's also features Bailey's Irish Cream in their "Dublin Mudslide" ice cream.

[edit] Cocktails containing Baileys

  • B52
  • Baileys Frappe
  • Baileys Blended
  • Baileys Chocolatini
  • Cocksucking Cowboy
  • Chocolate Coffee Kiss
  • Cement Mixer - One shot of Baileys and one shot of lime or lemon juice, mix together in mouth.
  • Lady boy - including separate glasses of Baileys and gin and tonic as the chasers to a beer (as drunk by Alan Partridge)
  • E.T
  • Old GreggNog - Baileys mixed with Egg Nog (based on the character Old Gregg from the Mighty Boosh who has an obsession with Baileys)
  • The Wellie Estbrook - One shot of Baileys over ice with lashings of whipped cream.
  • The Phil Kollin
  • Irish Car Bomb
  • Irish Dream
  • Mudslide - See Duo and trio cocktails
  • Irish Lobotomy
  • Teddy Bear – a shot of vodka and Baileys
  • Grandmother's slippers (Finnish drink) - half Baileys, half Salmiakki Koskenkorva.
  • Choc-o-hol
  • Smashing Pumpkin Shot
  • Brain Hemorrhage
  • B55
  • Baby Guinness
  • China White
  • BMW - A shot of Baileys, Malibu and Whisky
  • Irish Bar Maid
  • Irish Lass
  • Screaming Orgasm
  • Baileys Comet
  • Hatcher - see Sambuca
  • BBC - Baileys, Brandy and Cointreu
  • Soapy Tit Wank - Baileys, Vodka, Malibu & Milk
  • 3 Steps to Heaven - Shooter containing Baileys, Kahlúa and chocolate vodka

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

  • Diageo History
  • Adams Beverage Group, Beverage Dynamics (January/February 2006), p. 42

[edit] External links