Can Irish Cream Go Bad?: Irish cream is an ingredient that can be used in both desserts and cocktails. It is a dairy liqueur that has Irish whisky, cocoa, and cream.
Irish coffee is the famous recipe that everyone likes the most. If you have an opened Irish Cream bottle with you, you might think Can Irish Cream Go Bad, or should it be stored in the fridge and so on? For all those questions we have mentioned answers here.
Yes, Irish cream goes bad. You need to store the Irish Cream bottle in the fridge to increase its shelf life. Also, know how long Irish cream stays fresh after opened and tips to tell if it has gone bad from this page.
- Can Irish Cream Go Bad?
- How Long Does Irish Cream Last?
- Can You Freeze Irish Cream?
- How to Store Irish Cream?
- How to Tell When Irish Cream Has Gone Bad
- Interesting Facts about Irish Cream
- How long does Irish cream last once opened?
- Does Irish cream go bad in the fridge?
- What happens when Irish cream goes bad?
Can Irish Cream Go Bad?
Yes, Irish cream goes bad after 2 years. In general, Irish cream has 7% of alcohol, it may vary for different brands. The amount of alcohol in it is useful to increase its shelf life by killing the bacteria that could be generated. And this cream also has a dairy part that reduces the quality and leads to spoilage.
The actual Irish cream shelf life is about 6 months as it maintains its premium quality for only 6 months. The longer you store means the quality decreases randomly. You can get dairy-free, vegan Irish cream with almond milk in the market, but it stays good for 6 months only.
How Long Does Irish Cream Last?
The shelf life of every Irish cream is mentioned in the form of best before the date on the bottle label. As per the manufacturer, it is safe to consume that cream before the specified date.
In general, the Irish cream bottle lasts for up to 2 years if you store it properly either in the pantry or in the fridge. When you choose to store the bottle in the fridge, then you can use it 6 months after the best-before date. Once you open the Irish cream bottle, then use it within 6 months irrespective of the best-before date.
The shelf life of homemade Irish cream is less than that of a store-bought bottle. You can store the homemade cream in the pantry for 2 to 3 months and in the refrigerator for 6 months. Here we are giving the chart that shows the Irish Cream Shelf Life in the pantry as well as the fridge.
| Irish cream type | Pantry | Fridge |
|---|---|---|
| Unopened | 2 to 3 months | 6 months |
| Opened | 6 months | 6 months |
| Homemade | 2 to 3 months | 3 to 6 months |
Can You Freeze Bailey’s Irish Cream?
Yes, you can freeze Irish cream but not for a longer period. Freezing Irish cream is not a good idea. When you freeze it, the milk separates from the alcohol, and ice crystals form and destroy the texture. Once the bottle is melted, you will get alcohol full of lumps that can’t be poured properly. The liqueur consistency changes before and after freezing.
However, you can place the Irish cream bottle in the freezer for a short period to make it chill quickly. You are allowed to freeze the homemade ice cream which is made with Irish cream. Churning will stop the separation and formation of large chunks of ice. Mix all the required ingredients to make the ice cream.
Remember that ice cream which has an alcohol amount melts faster at room temperature, so take out the container from the fridge just before serving
How to Store Irish Cream?
Here we are giving the four tips for storing Irish cream so that it can be used as soon as possible once the bottle is opened. You can make a lot of recipes with this cream starting from classic cocktails to fruit dips.
It is best to store the opened bottles in the refrigerator to retain their original taste longer. Always try to maintain a common temperature as sensitive Irish cream can’t accept sudden changes.
Keep the cream in the original bottle as it is designed to preserve liqueur consistency. You can store homemade Irish cream in a glass bottle with an airtight cap.
If you want to store Irish cream in the pantry, place it in a dark and dry place. High temperature or direct sunlight may lead to the spoilage of both dairy and liqueur.
Once the bottle is open, make sure to close it tightly after every use. Otherwise, the alcohol taste degrades randomly. Clean the bottle surface with a paper towel, the spilled drops may cause bacteria growth.
Freezing is not a recommended storage process for Irish cream but you can make ice cubes with it. Add milk to the melted Irish cream and pour the mixture into the ice cube tray. You can use the formed ice cubes to make fruit salads, cocktails, coffee, and so on.
Many people enjoy cocktail Irish cream. The famous cocktails are listed here:
- Chocolatine
- Baileys Dublin double
- Nutty Irishman
- Screaming orgasm
- Irish cactus
- Caramel Irish coffee
- Mudslide
How to Tell When Irish Cream Has Gone Bad
To check whether your Irish cream has gone bad, we are giving four simple tests.
Check the best-by date on your store-bought Irish cream bottle before using it. Usually, it stays good for at least 2 years. But we are recommending you discard the bottle if it passes 6 months of the expiration date.
The good Irish cream smells like a sweet, mild scent. Every time, when you use Irish cream don’t forget to check the odor, if you observe any unpleasant smell, then it has gone rancid.
Fresh Irish cream color is a beige and creamy color. If you notice any darker or thicker color than usual, throw the bottle outside and it is not safe to consume.
Also, check the cream texture. If you see any chunks and dairy part separation from alcohol, it is turned bad.
Also, Refer
Interesting Facts about Irish Cream
The interesting facts that you don’t know about Irish cream are listed here:
- The Irish cream liqueur has 2 years shelf life.
- It contains real Irish cream.
- People drink a high amount of Irish cream daily.
- It is made available in different flavors
- It is a primary ingredient in a terrible shot.
- Irish cream liqueur is the best-selling liqueur in the world.
- Chocolate was the key ingredient in it.
FAQs on Does Irish Cream Go Bad
1. How long does Irish cream last once opened?
The unopened Irish Cream can be consumed for 2 years. But it is best to finish the Irish cream bottle within 6 months.
2. Does Irish cream go bad in the fridge?
The open bottle of Irish cream stays fresh for up to 6 months in the refrigerator. If the bottle extends that time, then it goes bad.
3. What happens when Irish cream goes bad?
If you consume spoiled Irish cream or a recipe that is made from rancid cream, it makes you fall sick or give you a stomach upset.
Key Upshots
We as a team think the knowledge shared here about Can Irish Cream Go Bad has been beneficial to you. Follow the simple measures mentioned here and extend its shelf life to the best possible time. For any other queries do let us know via the comment box and we will resolve them at the earliest.