Indulge in the sweet, chocolatey flavor of Irish cream in your morning coffee with this easy homemade syrup. Made with just brown sugar, cocoa, and extracts, this delicious Irish cream syrup for coffee mimics the taste of Irish cream liquors in a homemade concentrate.
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
I'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get great new recipes from me every week!
This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
I have been on a simple syrup recipe kick lately. And now it is time for holiday simple syrups! Irish cream syrup is a non-alcoholic simple syrup for coffee drinks and mocktails that, despite its name, does not actually include cream.
The coffee syrup was made popular thanks to a seasonal drink at Starbucks but you probably find it at your local coffee shop. The syrup has chocolate and vanilla flavors with a nutty aroma. And yes, it may remind you of a certain Irish cream liqueur.
There is nothing better than a homemade syrup in a big mug of hot coffee on a snowy day. But you can use this recipe in all your favorite drinks this holiday season!
📖Why My Recipe Works
- Affordable- You can spend $10 to 15 dollars on storebought syrup. Or make this copycat homemade version with a handful of ingredients from your pantry.
- Rich Taste- Most recipes will call for granulated sugar, but I use brown sugar. It gives a flavor more reminiscent of your favorite whiskey and a traditional Irish cream flavor.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Brown Sugar-You can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar in this recipe. The darker sugar will give you a deeper flavor.
- Chocolate- I prefer to use a high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder in this recipe. You can substitute chocolate syrup but reduce the sugar by a teaspoon.
- Vanilla- Use extract or vanilla bean paste.
- Almond- You can use any nut extract, almond being the most common but hazelnut works too. You can add an additional ¼ teaspoon of almond extract if you would like a stronger flavor.
💭 Irish Coffee Creamer Variation
I prefer to keep my syrup separate and add it to my coffee with milk or cream as needed. However, if you are a get-up-and-go kind of person then let's turn this flavored syrup into a coffee creamer.
Once the syrup has cooled to room temperature, combine with your plain creamer. It is easiest to do this in a mason jar and just shake to combine.
Simply add the sweet cream to your morning coffee.
🍲How to Make Irish Cream Syrup
Start by heating the water and sugar over low heat. There is no need to boil the syrup.
Whisk constantly until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from the heat.
Add in the cocoa, vanilla, and almond extract. Whisk to dissolve the chocolate.
Cool to room temperature and then transfer to an airtight container or glass bottle for storage.
You can also use my microwave simple syrup method for this recipe.
🥣 Uses for Irish Cream Syrup
- Irish Cream Coffee: Add a drizzle of Irish Cream syrup to your morning coffee for a luxurious twist. Top it off with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa or cinnamon for an extra touch of indulgence. Make a latte or iced coffee.
- Hot Chocolate: Stir Irish Cream syrup into your hot chocolate for an adult version of this beloved winter drink. Top it with marshmallows or whipped cream for an extra treat.
- Irish Cream Milkshake: Blend vanilla ice cream, milk, and a generous amount of Irish Cream syrup to create a decadent Irish Cream milkshake. You can also add a shot of Irish whiskey for an extra kick.
- Mocktails: A great simple syrup for holiday cocktails.
- Baking: Use a cake syrup for your layer cakes with a dusting of cocoa powder.
- Gift or Party Favors: Bottle your homemade Irish Cream syrup in attractive containers and give them as gifts. They also make delightful party favors for special occasions.
🌡️Storing Leftovers
Follow our guide for storing simple syrup. But essentially it should keep for several weeks in the fridge in an airtight container.
💬 Is there alcohol in this Irish cream syrup?
Irish cream syrup does not contain alcohol. But a splash of Irish whiskey can be added if you like.
📖 Recipe Card
Irish Cream Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Irish Coffee Creamer
- 1 cup half and half or equal parts milk and heavy cream
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.1 cup water, 1 cup light brown sugar
- Remove from the heat. Add the cocoa powder and both extracts to the syrup. Whisk to combine.2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- Cool to room temperature before using in cold drinks. Transfer the simple syrup to a sterilized glass jar or bottle for storage.
Irish Coffee Creamer
- Once the syrup has cooled combine with the half and half in a tightly sealed jar. Shake to combine.1 cup half and half
Notes
- The syrup will last for up to one month when stored properly in the fridge. If it has crystalized or become cloudy throw it out.
- The coffee creamer version will last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator (or until the 'sell by' date on your half and half carton
Equipment
- Small Saucepan
- Small storage bottle
Barrie says
Wonderful !! First time making this. I only had dark brown sugar, so used that. After mixing, I added about 4 oz more water , an 1/8 tsp more almond extract, & added 3/4 tsp rum extract. Yummy and soo good!
Cindy says
I made Irish Cream syrup a different way but came across your recipe and thought I'd try it. It's *so* much better! The brown sugar (I was using regular white sugar) made it more flavorful, more like what I think of when I think of Irish Cream. I only had light on hand, but I'm going to try dark next time as I bet that will be even better.