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Cocktail History
The Bailey’s Latte is a modern cocktail that was created by R&A Bailey Company, the maker of the Bailey’s line of liqueurs. This version from author Jassy Davis’s book Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter calls for the classic’s template of warm whole fat milk and fresh espresso mixed with Bailey’s iconic Irish whiskey cream liqueur and topped with a decadent whipped cream and cocoa powder garnish.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Milk: This is a liquid rich in calcium and protein that is produced by mammals. We used Prairie Farm Vitamin D Whole Milk. For a dairy-free version of this drink, try oat milk in place of the milk.
Irish Cream Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with cream, whiskey, sugar, and spices. We used Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur because it’s exceptionally creamy and flavorful. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Bailey’s Non-Alcoholic Irish Cream Coffee Creamer in place of the Irish cream liqueur.
Espresso: This is a concentrated type of coffee made from finely ground coffee beans and hot water. We used ground coffee from a local supplier.
Whipped Cream: This is heavy cream that has been whipped and beaten until it is light and fluffy. We used Reddi-Wip Original Dairy Whipped Topping because it offers easier application than making whipped cream at home using an iSi Cream Whipper. For a dairy-free version of this drink, try Reddi-Wip Non-Dairy Coconut Milk Whipped Topping in place of the whipped cream.
Cocoa Powder: This is cocoa bean that has been ground into a fine powder. We used Ghirardelli Majestic Premium Cocoa Powder.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Saucepan: This is used to warm the ingredients. We used the Cuisinart 3-Quart Stainless Steel Saucepan with Cover.
Spoon: This is used to stir the ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips Silicone Spoon.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Tasting Notes
The Bailey’s Latte features aromas of cocoa and sweet cream and has a rich taste that combines milk’s sweetness offset by the earthy, bitter notes of coffee and the unmistakable sweetness and vanilla note of Irish cream.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: While we both really enjoyed the drink, we felt it would benefit from more oomph in flavor complexity and alcohol content. If you fire up the stove for this one, we’d suggest trying Kohler Mint Chocolate Brandy, a bit of Fernet-Branca Menta, or your favorite whiskey to add a little something extra to the Bailey’s Latte.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐
“Though lacking in any sort of complexity, this drink is quite tasty thanks to its combination of ingredients that are already individually delicious. The Bailey’s Irish cream mixes well with the coffee and milk to make a rich, thick-bodied coffee alternative that has a bit of booziness to it. I would serve this at brunch, for sure.”—
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐
“This drink tastes so similar to creamy coffee that you probably wouldn’t even know it’s a cocktail unless someone told you. It’s extremely tasty, and most coffee lovers are likely to love it for that reason. But I’m giving it three stars, not because of its flavor but because I found it to be a bit lackluster and not quite boozy enough for my taste. Add in some chocolate mint brandy or an amaro to give it additional complexity, and I’d be sold on it. I wouldn’t ask for this one again to be made again as is though.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter by Jassy Davis.
Add milk to a saucepan.
Cook over medium high heat for 5-7 minutes while stirring until warmed through but not boiling.
Add Irish cream liqueur and espresso to a coffee mug.
Pour warm milk into mug.
Stir for 3-5 seconds.
Garnish with whipped cream and cocoa powder.
Ingredients
Directions
Add milk to a saucepan.
Cook over medium high heat for 5-7 minutes while stirring until warmed through but not boiling.
Add Irish cream liqueur and espresso to a coffee mug.
Pour warm milk into mug.
Stir for 3-5 seconds.
Garnish with whipped cream and cocoa powder.
Make It a Mocktail: Use Bailey’s Non-Alcoholic Irish Cream Coffee Creamer in place of the Irish cream liqueur to try a booze-free version of this drink.
Shop Glassware & Tools
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More Coffee Cocktails
If you like this coffee-flavored cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
White Russian: A rum cocktail made with coffee liqueur, Luxardo Amaro Abano, amaretto liqueur, and half & half
Sabueso Old Fashioned: A tequila and mezcal cocktail made with caramel coffee syrup, coffee and chocolate bitters, and an orange peel
Mocha Rum Toddy: A rum cocktail made with coffee, dark crème de cacao, simple syrup, whipped cream, and cocoa powder
The Marriage of Maguey: A mezcal and tequila cocktail made with coffee chocolate liqueur, orange curaçao, and agave syrup
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