Long ago, the remedy for an upset stomach was to mix whiskey and cream. However, this mixture only tasted good if you drank it quickly. What is behind the fact that a tried and tested old wives' remedy has become one of the most delicious liqueurs in the world? Baileys is a relatively young drink, whose story began in 1973. By 2007, a billion bottles of this delicious liqueur had been sold. The idea to create a drink for women came in 30 seconds. However, decades of experience by its creator are behind its creation.

The Story of Irish Kindness

David Dan and his colleagues were thinking about how to bring something unique to the world. His colleague David Gluckman came up with the idea of combining alcohol with the image of Ireland - a green country with pastures grazed by herds of cows. At that moment, they decided to mix Irish whiskey and cream.

They bought a bottle of Jameson and cream at the store across the street and mixed both ingredients in a blender. The taste wasn't the best, so they decided to add sugar, but it still wasn't quite chocolatey enough. They went back to the store and found their salvation in the form of cocoa powder. Before launching the liqueur on the market, they decided to give it to a group of random visitors to a local bar to taste. The group of young people drank their glasses dry, but said they preferred beer with vodka or whiskey and that this drink was more for women.

All that remained was to come up with a suitable name. This was inspired by the Baileys Hotel, which the creators noticed across the street while thinking about a suitable name. The signature on the bottle, R.A. Bailey, is inspired by a legend in which two brothers with the initials R. and A. promised their dying father that they would start working together. One of them sold milk and the other produced whiskey.

Production with an emphasis on quality

The key to producing Baileys is a combination of tradition and innovation. The cream is made from the milk of Irish cows, known as Baileys Ladies, which are exclusively locally bred. Every year, 220 million liters of milk are used to produce Baileys. The distilleries select the highest quality triple-distilled whiskey, which is then blended with cream and other fine spirits. To give Baileys its famous chocolate flavor, cocoa beans and vanilla are added. All this is mixed with sugar, and Baileys is born. Since whiskey is a preservative in itself, no chemicals are added to the cream. The entire process and the correct ratio of ingredients are, of course, a secret. However, it is no secret that Baileys tastes the same two years after opening the bottle as it does when it is first opened.

At first, no one imagined that the combination of whiskey and cream could be such a big hit. However, Baileys quickly convinced the world that sweet cream liqueur has its place not only in homes but also on bar menus. Thanks to its delicate yet rich profile, it has become particularly popular with women, although today it is enjoyed by all age and taste categories. Baileys has the rare ability to appeal even to people who do not normally prefer hard liquor - its delicacy and sweetness make it a "dessert in a glass."

Baileys as part of culture and celebrations

Baileys has become an icon, especially during the winter and holiday months. In many countries, it is a staple on the Christmas table and a popular addition to bath time, desserts, or afternoon coffee. In Ireland, it is even considered a national treasure, similar to whiskey or traditional stout beer.

Over time, Baileys has also appeared in modern culinary trends - chefs use it in baking, in creams, homemade ice cream, or as part of simple desserts that anyone can make.

Different versions of Baileys that have conquered the world

Although the original cream version is iconic, Baileys now comes in many flavors. Among the best known are:

• Baileys Coffee – for coffee lovers

• Baileys Salted Caramel – sweet and salty hit

• Baileys Chocolate Luxe – luxury version with real Belgian chocolate

• Baileys Strawberries & Cream – especially popular in summer

• Baileys Almond (vegan) – plant-based alternative without milk

These flavors help the brand appeal to a new generation of consumers while demonstrating that Baileys can still grow after fifty years.

Baileys as an ingredient: more than just a liqueur

Baileys is perfect for mixed drinks, desserts, and hot winter beverages. Its creamy consistency adds smoothness and a touch of luxury to drinks. That's why bartenders often use it in:

• Irish Coffee – cream variant

• Baileys Martini

• Mudslide

• Flat White Martini

• Baileys Hot Chocolate

When combined with coffee, it creates a perfectly harmonious pairing. It is no surprise that it has become one of the most widely used ingredients in coffee cocktails around the world.

How to store correctly Baileys

Although Baileys contains cream, it has a surprisingly long shelf life. This is due to the alcohol, which acts as a natural preservative. However, to maintain the best quality, it should be stored:

• at room temperature or in the refrigerator,

• out of direct sunlight,

• tightly closed.

Once opened, it retains its flavor for up to two years, which is exceptional compared to other cream liqueurs.

Interesting facts you may not know

• Baileys consumes 4 % of the total production of Irish dairy farms.

• It is the best-selling liqueur in the world in its category.

• Each bottle contains milk from approximately one cup of cream from Irish cows.

• The first batch of Baileys was ready in 45 minutes from the moment the creative team bought Jameson in the store.