Baileys Alcohol Content
Baileys Original Irish Cream is 17% alcohol by volume, or 34 proof.2 It is a cream liqueur, Irish whiskey blended with cream and sugar, so it is less than half as strong as whiskey and a bit stronger than wine.
The label lists a serving as 2.5 oz, with 0.4 fl oz of pure alcohol in each one.3 That is 0.7 standard drinks per pour.
Baileys ABV by Version
These strengths are printed on labels approved by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB):
The flavored versions are the same strength as the Original. Deliciously Light cuts sugar and calories but only trims the alcohol slightly.
How Many Standard Drinks Are in Baileys?
One U.S. standard drink is 14 grams of pure alcohol, the amount in a 1.5 oz shot of 40% liquor.1 At 17% ABV, here is how Baileys adds up:
| Serving | ABV | Standard drinks |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 oz shot | 17% | 0.4 |
| 2.5 oz pour (label serving) | 17% | 0.7 |
| 1 oz in coffee | 17% | 0.3 |
| 375 ml bottle | 17% | 3.6 |
| 750 ml bottle | 17% | 7.2 |
| 1 L bottle | 17% | 9.6 |
Baileys tastes like dessert, which makes it easy to underestimate. A 750 ml bottle holds about 7 standard drinks.
Baileys vs Other Drinks
| Drink | Typical ABV | Standard drinks per 2.5 oz pour |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Daniel’s | 40% | 1.7 |
| Fireball | 33% | 1.4 |
| Baileys | 17% | 0.7 |
| Sake | 15% | 0.6 |
| Wine | 12% | 0.5 |
| Beer | 5% | 0.2 |
To count any mix of drinks, use the standard drink calculator.
How Much Baileys Does It Take to Get Drunk?
That depends on your weight, your sex, and how fast you drink. Enter your weight below to see how many 2.5 oz pours of Baileys reach each level.
Actual BAC depends on metabolism, food, and time.
Try our BAC calculator for more detailed tracking
Baileys Alcohol FAQ
What proof is Baileys?
Baileys Original Irish Cream is 34 proof, which is 17% alcohol by volume.
Can Baileys get you drunk?
Yes. A 2.5 oz pour is 0.7 standard drinks, so a few glasses add up like a few beers. Use the calculator on this page for your weight.
Is Baileys stronger than wine?
A little. Baileys is 17% and most wine is 12 to 13%, but people usually pour Baileys in smaller amounts.
How much alcohol is in Baileys in coffee?
A typical 1 oz splash of Baileys in coffee is 0.3 standard drinks.
Does Baileys go bad?
The bottle carries a best-before date, and the label says to store it between 32°F and 77°F (0°C and 25°C).
To see how Baileys affects your blood alcohol level, use the BAC calculator.
Sources
- NIAAA. What is a standard drink?
- TTB COLA 24263001000126. Baileys Original Irish Cream label, liqueur 17% alc./vol. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.
- TTB COLA 24263001000132. Baileys Salted Caramel label, 17% alc./vol.; serving facts 2.5 fl oz, 0.4 fl oz alcohol. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.
- TTB COLA 24313001000413. Baileys Deliciously Light label, liqueur 16.1% alc./vol. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.