Figuring out whether Baileys is vegan friendly can be a bit tough.
Cream liqueur often contains many ingredients and some of them may be animal derived.
To ensure that you are only consuming food and drinking liqueur that aligns with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production process of Baileys.
Here’s what I found out.
Is Baileys Vegan?
No. Baileys is not vegan.
Baileys is a creamy, delicious liqueur that is enjoyed by people all around the world. This liqueur is a combination of whiskey, cream, and chocolate, which creates a unique flavor.
The cream is probably a dead giveaway that this liqueur is not vegan.
Cream is a milk by-product and is not suitable for vegans.
In addition to milk, Baileys also contains sugar. Sugar is plant based, but the majority of refined sugar is filtered with animal bone char to make it white.
Bone char is made from ground-up animal bones and is used as a filtering agent. This means that some sugar brands are not vegan friendly. Unless the product explicitly says that its sugar is either “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it will very likely be filtered with bone char.
Baileys does have one flavor that is vegan—their Almande flavor. This vegan-friendly liqueur is made with almond milk, providing a delicious and creamy alternative for vegans. Just be sure that the bottle you’re buying has a vegan label on it.
Is Baileys Cruelty Free?
Yes. Baileys is a cruelty-free brand. They may use animal ingredients such as milk and cream, but no animal testing is conducted at any stage of production.
The brand also does not use ingredients that are tested on animals, such as artificial colors and flavors.
Animal cruelty is a huge issue in the food and beverage industry. Many brands test their products on animals to ensure safety and quality. This often results in innocent animals being disfigured, maimed, or killed in the process.
Thankfully, Baileys does not participate in any of these cruel tests and they are considered a cruelty-free brand.
What Is Baileys Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Baileys:
- Irish whiskey and spirits
- Irish dairy cream
- Chocolate
- Vanilla
- Belgian chocolate
- Caramel
- Salt
- Ripe strawberry
- Real Colombian coffee
- Natural flavors
- Red velvet cupcake flavor
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Roasted Arabica beans
- Robusta beans
- Milk
Let’s break down each ingredient of Baileys:
Irish whiskey
Irish whiskey is a type of whiskey distilled in Ireland. It is made from a mash of fermented grain and aged for at least three years in wooden casks. Depending on how it’s clarified, Irish whiskey can be vegan or non-vegan. In Baileys, the Irish whiskey is likely non-vegan.
Spirits
Spirits are ethanol-based beverages that have been flavored with fruit, herbs, or other natural flavors. It can also be made by distilling wine or other fermented beverages. Spirits are usually vegan but some brands may use honey or other animal-derived ingredients in their production process.
Irish dairy cream
Dairy cream is a type of cream that is made from milk. It is a common ingredient in many non-vegan products such as ice cream, butter, and cheese.
Chocolate
Chocolate itself is vegan, but some brands may use milk or other animal-derived ingredients in their production process. It is used to add flavor and sweetness to Baileys.
Vanilla
Vanilla is derived from the vanilla bean. It is used to add flavor to Baileys. Vanilla is usually vegan, but some brands may use honey or other animal-derived ingredients in their production process.
Belgian chocolate
Belgian chocolate is a type of chocolate made in Belgium. It is usually vegan, but some brands may use milk or other animal-derived ingredients in their production process. Belgium chocolate gives Baileys its rich chocolate flavor.
Caramel
Caramel is a type of candy made by heating sugar. It is used to add flavor and sweetness to Baileys. Caramel is usually vegan but some brands may use milk or other animal-derived ingredients in their production process.
Salt
Salt is a vegan-friendly ingredient that adds flavor to Baileys.
Ripe strawberry
Strawberries are a type of fruit that is used to add flavor and sweetness to Baileys. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Real Colombian coffee
Coffee is a plant-based ingredient that is used to add flavor and caffeine to Baileys. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Natural flavors
Natural flavors are plant- or animal-based ingredients that add flavor to food or drinks. It can be vegan or not depending on the source of the flavors.
Red velvet cupcake flavor
Red velvet cupcake flavor is a type of natural flavor that is used to add flavor to one variety of Baileys. It is usually vegan, but some brands may use honey or milk in their production process.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a plant-based ingredient that adds flavor and sweetness to Baileys. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a type of spice that adds flavor to Baileys. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Cloves
Cloves are derived from the flower of the clove tree. It is used to add flavor to Baileys. Cloves are a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Roasted arabica beans
Arabica beans are a type of coffee bean used to add flavor and caffeine to Baileys. They are roasted before being used in the production process. Roasted arabica beans are vegan-friendly ingredients.
Robusta beans
Robusta beans are a type of roasted coffee bean that adds flavor and caffeine to Baileys. Robusta beans are vegan-friendly ingredients.
Milk
Milk is an ingredient that comes from animals such as cows, goats, and sheep. It is used to add flavor and sweetness to Baileys. Milk is not vegan.
Why Isn’t Baileys Vegan?
Baileys Irish Cream Liqueurs are not vegan because they contain dairy cream. Dairy cream is made from cow’s milk. It is a common ingredient in many non-vegan products, such as ice cream, butter, and cheese.
Baileys also contains sugar. While sugar itself is vegan because it is derived from plants, most sugar is processed using bone char. Bone char is a type of charcoal that is made from the bones of animals. It is used to make sugar white.
Unless the product states that its sugar is “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is likely that the sugar in Baileys was processed using bone char and is not vegan.
Is Baileys Original Irish Cream Vegan?
No. Baileys Original Irish Cream liqueur is not vegan. It contains Irish dairy cream, which has milk in it.
This creamy liqueur is not a vegan-friendly product.
Is Baileys Almande Dairy-Free Almond Drink Vegan?
Yes! Baileys Almande Dairy-Free Almond Drink is a vegan liqueur. It is made with almond milk and does not contain dairy cream.
This liqueur is a vegan-friendly product.
Is Baileys Chocolat Luxe Vegan?
No. Baileys Chocolat Luxe contains Irish dairy cream, milk products, and chocolate.
This liqueur is not a vegan product.
Is Baileys Salted Caramel Vegan?
No. Baileys Salted Caramel contains Irish dairy cream and milk products.
This liqueur is not a vegan product.
Is Baileys Pumpkin Spice Vegan?
No. Baileys Pumpkin Spice contains Irish dairy cream and pumpkin spice flavor, which may also be made with milk.
This liqueur is not a vegan product.
Is Baileys Strawberries & Cream Vegan?
No. Baileys Strawberries & Cream contains Irish dairy cream, which is made from milk.
This liqueur is not a vegan product.
Is Baileys Espresso Crème Vegan?
No. Baileys Espresso Crème contains Irish dairy cream.
This liqueur is not a vegan-friendly product.
What About Other Cream Liqueurs?
Other cream liqueurs, such as Amarula and Kahlúa, are also non-vegan. This is because they all contain some kind of dairy milk as an ingredient.
Frangelico however, is a hazelnut cream liqueur that is vegan friendly. It does not contain dairy cream or any other animal-derived ingredients.
Can I Make Vegan Baileys at Home?
You certainly can! If you want to make your own vegan Baileys at home, there are many recipes available online. These recipes typically call for dairy-free milk, cream, and natural flavors. Or you can experiment and create your own vegan Baileys recipe!
Make sure you have your vegan substitute ingredients, such as Jameson whiskey, cane sugar, canned coconut milk, or full-fat coconut milk, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, or maple syrup. These are just some of the ingredients that you might need to make your own Irish cream liqueur.
Here are some popular recipes for vegan Baileys:
- Homemade Copycat Vegan Baileys by My Purple Plants
- Homemade Vegan Irish Cream by Resplendent Kitchen
- Homemade Coffee Cream Liqueur by Healthy Twists
Vegan Alternatives to Baileys
There are also many delicious vegan cream liqueurs on the market that are made without any animal products. These are some of my favorite brands:
- Licor 43 Horchata Cream Liqueur
- Bom Bom Nilli Vanilli
- Besos De Oro Original Liqueur
- Almondaire Almond-Based Creme Liqueur
These liqueur brands and easy-to-make homemade vegan Baileys recipes offer a delicious and cruelty-free alternative to Baileys. You will not be missing out on anything by switching to vegan cream liqueurs!
Final Words
So there you have it! Baileys is not vegan because its products contain milk and milk derivatives. The good news is that there are plenty of vegan-friendly liqueur brands, as well as recipes online, that you can enjoy without any guilt.
If you’re looking for a delicious, vegan Irish cream liqueur to add to your collection, be sure to check out some of the brands and recipes mentioned above. And as always, drink responsibly!