Mixing While Mingling

If there's one thing that the holiday season brings, it's an annual event where a kitchen is transported to Northern Ireland and the process of making homemade Irish cream begins. It doesn't take long now that this has become an annual tradition, and the end result is bottles of the rich beverage ready for consumption after a quick chill. Being that there are few ingredients to mix along with the transfer to the bottle where it will be kept, I recommend working in a group on this project. I chose to work with my parents today as it was a good chance to catch up with them while my mom gets to make her favorite holiday beverage. Well, in her case, it's an any season beverage, but you know what I mean. Let's get mixing!

Thanks to Paul Lukas, who writes the Uni-Watch blog who turned me on to this recipe, I am a full-fledged member of the Irish Cream club. This beverage is a hit wherever it goes, and people are often surprised how easy it is to make. I don't know how many other people are making it in their own homes now, but there are a lot of websites with various versions of this Irish cream recipe on them. I've tried a few, but they aren't the same as they taste slightly different or miss out on the rich, creamy texture. Stick with this recipe, folks. You won't be disappointed.

Here is the legendary Paul Lukas' Irish Cream!

Ingredients

2 cups of Irish whiskey*
2 cups of heavy cream**
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 tbsp. of chocolate syrup
1 tsp. of vanilla extract
1 espresso shot***
1/4 tsp. of almond extract

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a large container and be sure to stir well. Refrigerate for a couple of hours, and enjoy over ice.

Notes

* - any mid-range Irish whiskey will do - Bushmills, Jameson, Tullamore Dew - so don't buy any high-end whiskey. You'll lose the nuances of the high-end whiskey, which is what you're paying more for, in the Irish cream mixture.
** - whipping cream at 35% works best for a thick, smooth Irish cream. At the very lowest, don't stray below 18% or you'll lose the creaminess of the beverage.
*** - an espresso shot is 1 tsp. of instant espresso in 2 tbsp. of hot water.

You'll be able to taste the blend of chocolate, espresso, and vanilla tones in the smooth, sweetened base mixture of whiskey, cream, and condensed milk. Served over ice, it's a delicious beverage that's worth the effort, specifically after coming in from the cold where the warmth from the alcohol concentration found in the Irish cream will provide an immediate temperature boost.

It should be noted that I have no idea what the alcohol content may be in this, so please enjoy responsibly if you do make it. It's easy to have two or three glasses because of how tasty it is, but please take care if you need to drive. Cabs, Ubers, calling for rides, and public transportation are all better options than being stopped by the police, so please be smart and get home safe. The last gift anyone wants is a ticket for driving under the influence, an impounded vehicle, a suspended license, or all three of those things. Be responsible so everyone can have a happy holiday!

It's always good seeing my folks, and I'm glad we had some laughs as we made beverages today. I didn't do any quality control before I left, so I made it home safely without any trouble. That's how I expect all of you who make this beverage to act as well. Be safe, friends, and enjoy making and drinking this great Irish cream. Leave your review of the recipe here if you like and we can discuss!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!