On St. Patrick’s Day, everybody is Irish!
Over the years, we’ve enjoyed many a corned beef dinner with wine or Irish beer. We may have even had some Irish coffee. But a special way to complete the meal on this party-atmosphere day is with a glass of Irish Cream.

By Lou Campoli

On St. Patrick’s Day, everybody is Irish!

Over the years, we’ve enjoyed many a corned beef dinner with wine or Irish beer. We may have even had some Irish coffee. But a special way to complete the meal on this party-atmosphere day is with a glass of Irish Cream.

Irish Cream is a liqueur made primarily with cream and Irish whiskey, sometimes with the addition of chocolate, herbs, and sugar. The exact recipe in each product is proprietary. Irish Cream can be enjoyed on its own, with or without ice, as an addition to coffee, or in a multitude of mixed drinks.

Here are some of the Irish Creams that are available in the Westchester area. The prices represent average figures and are for the regular-size bottle (750 ml). Notice that Baileys and Emmets do not have apostrophes. Also, there is an “e” in Irish whiskey, but not in Scotch whisky.

Baileys Irish Cream ($28), the first Irish Cream on the market, was introduced in 1974. It is probably the best known of all Irish Creams. It takes its name from the Bailey’s Hotel in London, and the RH Bailey signature is purely fictional. Baileys is made from 50% fresh cream, triple-distilled Irish whiskey, other Irish spirits, natural herbs, cocoa, and sugar. It has a milk chocolate flavor and a noticeable whiskey bite that actually balances against the sweetness. Double Oak Essentials has accessories that can aid in cocktail making.

Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream Liqueur ($14) is made from local Irish whiskey and fresh cream. The Irish whiskey flavor is barely noticeable and the liqueur is not as thick as Baileys. Chocolate is the dominant flavor, with wonderful almond and walnut undertones.

Molly’s Irish Cream ($15) is made from aged Irish whiskey, fresh Irish cream, and chocolate. It has the least noticeable whiskey flavors of this group, with touches of mint flavor along with chocolate. It reminded us of a Peppermint Patty.

Emmets Irish Cream ($14) is made from Irish cream and mellow Irish spirits. The chocolate flavor in Emmets was more prevalent than in the others, with a hint of coconut on the aftertaste. Its flavor was reminiscent of a Mounds Bar.

The United States also produces cream liqueur. Ryan’s Irish-Style Cream Liqueur ($11) is made in Maine from imported Irish whiskey, fresh cream, rich chocolate, and natural vanilla. Whiskey aromas abound on the nose, followed by nutmeg flavors, and finishing with cocoa notes.

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention one other product to you. It’s called Drumgray (formally Mrs. Walker’s Drumgray) Highland Cream Liqueur ($24) and it is Irish-style Cream Liqueur, with “style” being the operative descriptor. It is made in Scotland from fresh Scottish double creams and Deanston Single Malt Scotch Whisky with the addition of chocolate, butterscotch, sugar, and water. Drumgray is very creamy and richer than the other cream liqueurs in this group. Its milk chocolate and whiskey flavors are integrated and intermixed with notes of filbert nuts (hazelnut).

Don’t let those words of caution dampen your spirits. On this party-happy day, have great meals, great libations, and a whole heck of a lot of fun.