Is Baileys Irish Cream Vegan and Cruelty Free? The Creamy Truth

May 4, 2023

Trying to figure out if Baileys Original Irish Cream is vegan can be challenging.

Alcohol is often fined using animal products such as isinglass, gelatin, and shellac to speed up the filtering process and remove impurities, and many liqueurs contain milk products.

To make sure that you are only eating foods and consuming alcohol that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production process of Baileys Original Irish Cream.

Here’s what I found.

Is Baileys Original Irish Cream Vegan?

Sadly no. Baileys Original Irish Cream liqueur is not a vegan-friendly product.

Baileys Original Irish Cream is a famous liqueur that is enjoyed by people all over the world. However, vegans can’t enjoy it because it contains animal-derived ingredients.

The main non-vegan ingredient in this drink is cream. The cream is a dairy product that is made from cow’s milk.

In order to make this drink, the cream is combined with whiskey and other flavors. The final product is then bottled and sold.

However, they have one flavor that is vegan. Baileys Almande is a dairy-free version that uses almond milk instead of cow’s milk.

So, if you want to enjoy a delicious Baileys Original Irish Cream drink, you’ll need to find the Almande version.

Is Baileys Irish Cream Cruelty Free?

Yes. Original Baileys Irish Cream liqueur can be considered a cruelty-free brand.

This is because they do not test their products on animals during any stage of production. And while they do use dairy cream as their base ingredient, they source it from suppliers that do not test on animals.

Additionally, Baileys is owned by Diageo. Diageo is a company that is trying to sustainably source all its ingredients, including milk. They are working with their suppliers to improve the welfare of cows and end exploitative practices in the dairy industry.

They are also working on reducing their carbon emissions. So, Baileys Original Irish Cream is a cruelty-free and sustainable product.

So although Baileys Original Irish Cream liqueur is not vegan, it is a cruelty-free product. And for people who are looking for a sustainable and ethical choice, Baileys is a good option.

What Is Baileys Original Irish Cream Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Baileys Original Irish Cream:

  • Irish whiskey (malt, water) and spirits
  • Irish dairy cream
  • Rich chocolate
  • Vanilla flavors

Let’s break down each ingredient of Baileys Original Irish Cream:

Irish whiskey (malt, water) and spirits

Irish whiskey is a kind of whiskey that is made in Ireland. It is made from malted barley, water, and spirits.

Malted barley

Malted barley is a kind of barley that has been germinated and then dried. Malted barley is used to make beer and whiskey. In alcohol, it has a sweeter flavor. Malted barley is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Water

Water is a key ingredient in all whiskeys. It makes up to 90% of the final product. It is used to dilute the alcohol and give it a smooth texture. Water is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Spirits

Spirits are a type of alcohol made by distilling fermented fruits, vegetables, or grains. Spirits have a high alcohol content and are used to make cocktails and liqueurs. In Baileys Irish Cream, the spirits are used to add flavor and give it a kick. Spirits are a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Irish dairy cream

Dairy cream is a kind of cream that is made from cow’s milk. It has a high fat content that makes it thick and creamy. Dairy cream is used in many different kinds of food and drink, including Baileys Irish Cream. Dairy cream is not a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Rich chocolate

Chocolate is made from cocoa beans. These beans are crushed and then made into a paste. Chocolate is used to add flavor and sweetness to Baileys Irish Cream. Chocolate is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Vanilla flavors

Vanilla is a flavoring that is made from the vanilla bean. The bean is a pod that grows on a vine. The bean is dried and then used to make different kinds of vanilla flavorings, including extract, powder, and paste. Vanilla is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Why Isn’t Baileys Original Irish Cream Vegan?

Bailey Original Irish Cream liqueur is not a vegan-friendly product because of one key ingredient: dairy cream. Dairy cream is a type of cream that is made from cow’s milk. It has a high fat content that makes it thick and creamy. Dairy cream is used in many different kinds of food and drink, including Baileys Original Irish Cream.

So, although the rest of the ingredients in Baileys Original Irish Cream are vegan friendly, the dairy cream makes it a non-vegan product.

Is Baileys Iced Coffee Latte Vegan?

No. Baileys Iced Coffee Latte is not vegan. It is Baileys Original Irish Cream, which contains milk, and coffee liqueur that has 4% ABV (alcohol by volume).

This product is not vegan friendly.

Is Baileys Hot Chocolat Luxe Vegan?

No. Bailey’s Hot Chocolate Luxe is not vegan. It is Baileys Original Irish Cream, which contains milk, and chocolate liqueur that has 15.7% ABV.

This product is not vegan friendly.

Is Baileys Salted Caramel Vegan?

No. Baileys Salted Caramel is not a vegan-friendly product. It is Baileys Original Irish Cream, which contains milk, with a caramel and salt liqueur that has 17% ABV.

This product is not vegan friendly.

Is Baileys Strawberries & Cream Vegan?

No. Bailey’s Strawberries & Cream is not vegan. It is Baileys Original Irish Cream, which contains milk, and a strawberry and vanilla liqueur that has 17% ABV.

This product is not vegan friendly.

Is Baileys Espresso Cream Vegan?

No. Baileys Espresso Cream is not vegan friendly. It is Baileys Original Irish Cream, which contains milk, and Real Colombian coffee liqueur that has 17% ABV.

This product is not vegan friendly.

Is Baileys Red Velvet Cupcake Vegan?

No. Bailey’s Red Velvet Cupcake is not vegan. It is Baileys Original Irish Cream, which contains milk, and Red Velvet cupcake flavor liqueur that has 17% ABV.

This product is not vegan friendly.

Is Baileys Pumpkin Spice Vegan?

No. Baileys Pumpkin Spice is not vegan friendly. It is Baileys Original Irish Cream, which contains milk, and a cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves liqueur that has 17% ABV. This flavor has two varieties, Pumpkin Spice Coffee and Pumpkin Spice Cocktail Season.

This product is not vegan friendly.

Is Baileys Almande Vegan?

Yes! Almande is the vegan-friendly version of Baileys. It is made with almond milk and has a lighter taste than Baileys Original Irish Cream. Almande is also gluten free.

This product is vegan friendly.

Vegan Alternatives to Baileys Original Irish Cream

If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly alternative to Baileys Original Irish Cream, there are a few options available online. Some of my favorite brands include:

These Irish cream liqueur brands are a good alternative for those who are looking for a vegan-friendly replacement for Baileys Original Irish Cream liqueur.

You can also create your homemade vegan baileys recipe, just find vegan-friendly ingredients, such as Jameson Irish whiskey, full-fat coconut milk, and maple syrup, and put them all together. Experiment until you find the perfect combination that suits your taste.

Final Words

So there you have it! Baileys Original Irish Cream is not a vegan-friendly product because it contains dairy cream. There’s one flavor of Baileys, Almande, that is vegan friendly. Be sure to check the vegan label though, as the older version of Almande was not vegan.

Baileys Original Irish Cream may not be vegan but there are many vegan-friendly alternatives available on the market. Or if you’re feeling adventurous you can always make your own Baileys vegan version of Irish cream at home. Cheers!