If you’ve ever ordered an Irish cream at a bar or restaurant, you might have wondered about the lifespan of its traditional flavor.
While most popular sweet liqueurs such as Bailey’s and Baileys are made from pure corn syrup and sugar, Irish cream contains more than just those ingredients.
In fact, Irish cream contains eggs, milk, cream, butter, sugar, vanilla, heavy cream and whiskey.
The mixture then undergoes a process called “fermentation” which creates carbon dioxide gas within the product.
This means that the longer you leave the product in its sealed container, the better the flavor will be when you open it up again.
How long does Irish cream last?
While there is no set expiration date on Irish cream, one thing you should definitely avoid doing is opening it before it expires.
According to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, the shelf life of Irish cream is six months at room temperature (70 degrees Fahrenheit).
However, if you live in a colder area, you may want to consider storing your bottle in the refrigerator.
This will help extend the shelf life by about four weeks.
How do you know if Irish cream has gone bad?
“Busted,” “rotten” or “gone bad” are all terms used to describe what happens to your favorite spirits and other alcoholic beverages after they have been opened.
When wine, beer, tequila or spirits begin to ferment, their taste changes and sometimes even starts to smell weird.
This is because the alcohol content becomes too high for the natural yeast present in these products to consume anymore.
The same goes for Irish cream.
Once it has been opened, its contents will continue to ferment until it reaches the end of its shelf life.
What are the signs that Irish cream is going bad?
Here are some common signs that Irish cream is beginning to go bad:
- A strong moldy-like odor
- Strangely colored liquid inside the bottle
- White crystals forming on top of the liquid
- Flakes of white foam floating in the liquid
- Taste changes from creamy to bitter or unpleasant
Is it safe to drink Irish cream that has gone bad?
Yes!
As long as you don’t mind getting a bit sick from consuming the old stuff, you’re free to enjoy any bad Irish cream you want.
However, if you plan to share it with others who might not care for sour flavors, you’ll want to make sure it hasn’t already changed colors or tastes.
How can you tell if Irish cream has gone bad?
To determine whether your bottle of Irish creme is still edible, try to pour out a few teaspoons into a glass.
If you can still taste the sweetness of the original product, you’re good to go.
If you find that the taste has changed, however, it’s definitely time to toss whatever you have left — unless you like the new flavor!
What does bad Irish cream taste like?
Because bad Irish cream looks and tastes different, it can often be hard to identify what exactly is wrong.
But here are some of the most common reactions people get when they consume bad Irish cream:
- An overwhelming sweetness that makes your mouth pucker
- An intense bitterness
- Chemical-sounding chemical odors
- An odd metallic taste
- Stale cardboard or plastic-like qualities
- Acidic or astringent flavors
- A strong alcohol smell
You can also try adding a little salt to Irish cream to see if it helps mask the bad flavors.
Just remember that salted Irish cream isn’t exactly what it sounds like.
Can you get sick from drinking bad Irish cream?
As mentioned above, Irish cream can contain a lot of alcohol, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that drinking it could cause you to become ill.
If you’re allergic to alcohol, however, you should definitely steer clear of it completely.
For everyone else, it’s important to remember that Irish cream is a dessert product.
It wouldn’t be right to suggest that anyone drinking it should not expect to feel slightly intoxicated, but it’s best to be cautious.
Even if you aren’t planning on having more than one serving, just make sure that you drink it slowly.
How do you store Irish cream to keep it from going bad?
Most commercial brands of Irish cream come in sealed containers with airtight caps, so you should be able to safely store them away in a cool place for several months.
If you have a large supply of Irish cream sitting around, why not create your own version?
You can use our guide to making homemade Irish cream to learn more about how to mix up this famous liqueur.
What is the shelf life of Irish cream?
Just like most other alcoholic beverages, Irish cream doesn’t have a single defined expiration date.
Instead, its shelf life is determined by a number of factors including where you store it, how exposed it is to light and heat, and how much oxygen is available to it.
In general, you can expect to store Irish cream for approximately two years if you store it properly.
Is it worth it to make your own Irish cream?
Making your own Irish cream is a great way to save money and to ensure that you always have fresh stock.
Plus, it’s fun to experiment with different flavors and recipes.
If you’d like to give it a shot, check out these resources for tips on how to make delicious Irish cream.
Want another option?
Check out these recipes for Irish coffee ice cream and Irish cream pie.
Homemade Irish Cream
Equipment
- 1 jar
Ingredients
- 1 milk
- 1 ⅔ cups whiskey
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Blend together Irish whiskey, heavy cream, chocolate syrup, coffee granules, vanilla, and almond extract along with sweetened condensed milk. For 20 to 30 seconds, blend at high speed until thoroughly combined.
- Keep in the refrigerator in a container that is well sealed. Shake vigorously before using.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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