Irish Cream cocktails were high on my list, and I’m so excited to share my recipe for the non-alcoholic version of the liqueur! Just like the original Irish Cream liqueur, the alcohol-free mix took a little trial and error — but trust me when I say it tastes exactly like the real thing.
What is Irish Cream and where did it come from?
The Emerald Isle is known for more than lush landscapes and leprechauns: the country also produces a lot of products that are exported around the world. Back in the 70s, a couple of creative people had the idea to combine two of Ireland’s most famous exports: dairy cream and Irish whiskey. They added notes of chocolate and vanilla and boom! Irish Cream was born.
Enter: alcohol-free alternatives
A few decades on, and I can finally say that we have the perfect non-alcoholic whiskey to whip up delish Irish Cream mocktails!
Meet Sans Bar’s Kings of Tartan. This premium, zero-alcohol drink is made up of smoked oat and malt notes, with a warm, lingering finish that has a similar mouthfeel to the famous Scottish and Irish whiskeys.
One of Sans Drinks’ most popular non-alcoholic spirits, you can sip it neat, over ice or pair it with mixers to make your favourite mocktail recipes.
Non-alcoholic Irish Cream recipe
In the mood for an indulgent, Irish Cream-based mocktail? Yum!
Here’s my go-to recipe for friends who love the original, creamy liqueur. This makes 1 ⅓ cups.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup Sans Bar Kings of Tartan
- ¼ cup full cream milk
- ¼ cup thickened cream
- ½ cup condensed milk
- ½ tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
To make this super easy dupe, add the milk, cream, condensed milk, cocoa powder and vanilla extract to a blender and gently blitz until smooth. Then pour in the non-alcoholic whiskey and blend again. Pour into a glass of your choice, chill and enjoy.
Vegan non-alcoholic Irish Cream recipe
If you or your guests are off the dairy train, try this vegan version of alcohol-free Irish Cream. It’s just as decadent!
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup Kings of Tartan from the Sans Bar collection
- ¼ cup milk of your choice (I like using almond)
- ¼ cup vegan cream such as Oatly
- ½ cup vegan condensed milk
- ½ tbsp vegan cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
Same as above.
How to enjoy your non-alcoholic Irish Cream
The options are honestly endless! I personally like pouring my alcohol-free Irish Cream over ice (‘on the rocks’) and savouring it that way. But like other non-alcoholic spirits and liqueurs, it’s very versatile! Try adding it to your coffee or hot chocolate, or drizzling it over ice cream to amp up your dessert.
Of course, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t share some mocktail recipes with you! Here are two of my favourites using the best non-alcoholic whiskey.
Latte Martini Mocktail
Coffee and mocktails are a match made in heaven. This alcohol-free recipe serves two, and I dare you to stop at one drink.
Ingredients
- 50ml non-alcoholic Irish Cream
- 25ml Ms Sans Make Me A Sanstini
- 25ml espresso
- Ice cubes
- Coffee beans (to serve)
Method
Add all ingredients besides the coffee beans to a cocktail shaker. Shake until blended and smooth. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with coffee beans.
Nutterlicious Irish Cream Mocktail
If you like Nutella, you’ll love this nutty take on the Irish Cream cocktail.
Ingredients
- 100ml non-alcoholic Irish Cream
- 20g melted chocolate of your choice
- 60g chopped, toasted hazelnuts
- 1 chopped banana
- Ice cubes
- Crushed peanuts or more hazelnuts (to serve)
Method
Blend the whiskey alternative, ice, almond milk and banana until smooth. Dip the rim of a cocktail glass in the melted chocolate, then crushed hazelnuts. Pour the mocktail mixture into the glass, and sprinkle the crushed peanuts or extra hazelnuts on top.
Try more non-alcoholic cocktails at Sans Drinks
Now that you know how to make Irish Cream for mocktails, there’s so much more to learn! Check out my whiskey mocktail recipes on the Sans Drinks blog, and please tag me on Instagram if you make any of them!
