When Baileys first announced that it was releasing a dairy-free version of its famous Irish cream liqueur, it’s safe to say we were excited! Sipping a glass of Baileys with ice has long been a tradition throughout the winter, particularly at Christmas, and vegans throughout the UK were ready to get involved.
But, eagle-eyed shoppers have noticed that for the past couple of years, Baileys Almande has been absent from supermarket shelves. So, is vegan Baileys still available in the UK? And, if not, are there any dairy-free Irish cream liqueur alternatives that you should know about?
Where Can I Buy Vegan Baileys & Is It Still Available?
“Where can I buy vegan Baileys?” is the question we’ve all been asking!
But, unfortunately, Baileys Almande – the vegan alternative to traditional Baileys made with almond and vanilla flavouring – no longer seems to be available to buy in the UK.
Although it’s still featured here on the official Baileys website, it’s not for sale in Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Ocado, or any of the UK’s leading supermarkets. It’s also no longer available on Amazon, the Vegan Kind supermarket, or any other online retailers.
Hopefully, Baileys Almande reappears in time for Christmas 2022. In the meantime, we’ve got you covered with some of the tastiest Irish cream liqueur alternatives, plus a couple of recipes if you’re in the mood to make your own!
The Best Alternatives to Vegan Baileys
While we cross our fingers that Baileys Almande will return to our shelves, here are some of the best vegan alternatives to this classically creamy liqueur. Enjoy!
Vegan Chocolate Coconut Cream Liqueur
Marks and Spencer’s answer to vegan Baileys is one of the most indulgent available! You’ll love this deliciously sweet liqueur, a moreish blend of coconut and chocolate that vegans across the UK fell in love with over Christmas. Marks and Spencer’s has really kicked its range of plant-based goodies up a notch in recent years, and this liqueur is certainly proof of that.
This silky smooth chocolate and coconut cream drink is the ideal accompaniment to a hot chocolate, or poured over ice and enjoyed like a glass of Baileys. It doesn’t appear to be available in Marks and Spencer stores any longer, but luckily you can still get your hands on a bottle here – all thanks to Ocado.
Amarula Vegan Liqueur
Amarula’s coconut-based liqueur is another tempting alternative to vegan Baileys! This velvety drink offers a hint of caramel and, of course, coconut, but you’ll notice another flavour coming through with every sip – marula.
The marula is indigenous to Africa, so you may be yet to try it. However, elephants certainly aren’t shy about tucking into this nutty fruit! In fact, many people believe that elephants eat fermented marula to get drunk. While some researchers have put this rumour to bed, we like to believe it!
You too can enjoy the rich flavours of the marula fruit thanks to Amarula, which is available to order here from Amazon. There are plenty of ways to serve it, including in hot drinks, cocktails and even vegan desserts.
Dirty Cow Vegan Cre*m Liqueur
This vegan and gluten-free cream liqueur from Dirty Cow is one to remember! Although many vegan Baileys alternatives are produced from almonds or coconut, this drink achieves its whipped consistency through oats. Plus, it contains pea protein, meaning it offers ever-so-slightly more nutritional value than many cream liqueurs.
We love the idea of relaxing around the fire with a glass of Dirty Cow’s vegan Irish cream, or mixing a dash with hot chocolate for a naughty but nice treat. And, while we’re at it, why not indulge in one of their oh-so-tempting chocolate bars? You can explore all the available flavours and get your hands on a bottle of their dairy-free cream liqueur here!
Licor 43 Horchata
Horchata fans, this one is for you! If you’ve ever tried horchata, a traditional Spanish drink made with tiger nuts, you’ll love this completely vegan version from Licor 43. Horchata is sometimes blended with condensed milk, but this dairy-free treat offers all the creaminess with none of the dairy. You’ll also enjoy notes of cinnamon with every sip, making this a must-have drink for the festive season.
Licor 43’s vegan Irish cream can be sipped and savoured in coffee or shaken in a cocktail. Why not imagine you’re on the sunny coast of Valencia with a cool glass of horchata and ice? Whatever you fancy, you can make this luxuriously smooth drink yours thanks to Amazon. It’s up for grabs here.
Delicious Vegan Baileys Recipes
You might be surprised to know that making your own Irish cream liqueur isn’t very difficult at all. It’s typically made with whisky, cocoa and cream, so once you’ve found vegan substitutes for the cream, you’re good to go!
If you fancy whipping up your own dairy-free Irish cream, we’ve listed some of the simplest recipes below.
This vegan Baileys recipe only uses a handful of ingredients and takes less than five minutes to make. It’s coconut-based and gets its sweetness from vanilla extract and agave, meaning it contains less sugar than many shop-bought alternatives.
This Irish cream liqueur recipe is also super easy to follow. It promises to offer a taste and consistency that perfectly mimics Baileys Almande, with almond milk, cocoa powder and Jameson’s whisky.
Ready to get a little more creative? This vegan chocolate orange Baileys recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. It uses homemade dairy-free condensed milk, which you can also buy separately to save yourself some time.
How to Find Vegan Alcohol
Unfortunately, like many food products, alcohol isn’t always vegan. Various ingredients and distilling processes rely on animals, and therefore it’s always important to check whether your favourite tipple is, in fact, cruelty-free. Frustratingly, you won’t always find dietary or allergen information on wine, beer or spirit labels, which is where Barnivore comes in handy. Simply type in your drink of choice and it’ll let you know whether it’s vegan or not!
Have you ever tried vegan Baileys? What are your favourite alternatives? Let us know!