Baileys is a cream liqueur made with Irish whiskey as its base alcohol.

What kind of alcohol it is

  • Baileys Original Irish Cream is classified as an Irish cream liqueur, not a straight spirit like vodka or whiskey.
  • The alcoholic base is real Irish whiskey blended with fresh cream, plus flavors like chocolate and vanilla.

Alcohol content (ABV)

  • Standard Baileys Original is about 17% alcohol by volume (ABV), which is typical for cream liqueurs.
  • That puts it closer to wine and other liqueurs in strength, and much lower than neat spirits such as whiskey or vodka, which are usually around 40% ABV.

How people usually drink it

  • Common ways to enjoy Baileys include neat, over ice, in coffee, or in cocktails and dessert-style drinks.
  • Because it is sweet, creamy, and lower in alcohol than hard liquor, it is often treated more like a dessert or after-dinner drink.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.