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 Carolans brand | |
| Type | cream liqueur |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Introduced | 1973 |
| Alcohol by volume | 15–20% |
| Proof (US) | 30°–40° |
| Colour | White |
| Flavour | Sweet & creamy |
| Ingredients | Irish whiskey,cream,sugar |
| Variants | Grape wine is sometimes substituted for whiskey |
| Related products | Irish coffee |
Irish cream (Irish:uachtar na hÉireann, uachtar Éireannach)[1] is acream liqueur based onIrish whiskey,cream and other flavourings. It typically has analcohol by volume (ABV) level of 15 to 20% and is served on its own or in mixed drinks, most commonly mixed with coffee or in shots such as theB-52. Its largest markets are theUnited Kingdom,Canada and theUnited States.
Despite its name, it is not a traditional Irish product, as the first version of it,Baileys, was invented in 1973 by British businessmanTom Jago in London, in response to a marketing brief from Gilbeys of Ireland (a division ofInternational Distillers & Vintners).[2] Nevertheless, within the European Union, Irish cream is aprotected geographical indicator product that must be produced inIreland.[3]
Top brands of Irish cream includeBaileys,Kerrygold, Merrys,Carolans andSaint Brendan's. The largest manufacturer isDiageo.
Irish cream is served straight,on the rocks or inmixed drinks, often layered in a shot glass withKahlúa andGrand Marnier to make a B-52 shot or mixed withcoffee orhot chocolate. It is also a common addition toWhite Russians. Some use Irish cream to flavour desserts and other sweet treats.[4]
