Updated in 2020! A few years ago, Bailey’s launched their first dairy-free and vegan creamy liqueur. And since then, some delicious competition has emerged. This adults-only market hasn’t reached the epic proportions of the great dairy-free ice cream boom, but we have uncovered SIX dairy-free cream liqueurs to pore over.
The Best Dairy-Free Cream Liqueurs to Make You Forget All About Irish Cream
All of these creamy dairy-free sips are labeled as vegan and gluten-free. They also contain alcohol, and can only be purchased in the U.S. if you are 21 or over. In Canada, you must be 19 or over, and in the U.K., you must be 18 over over.
Baileys Almande Almondmilk Liqueur
We can’t thank Baileys enough for forging the dairy-free cream liqueurs path. And their attempt was valiant. Bailey’s Almande provides a great milky base for making drinks. The flavor is simple, lightly sweet, and much like almond milk mixed with brandy.
But if you are expecting a dairy-free clone of Baileys Irish Cream, then I would move on. The consistency isn’t nearly as creamy and has a relatively flat finish. And the flavor is pleasant, but it lacks that extra something for a truly indulgent experience. We also thought the scent needed more allure – it was slightly odd and plain without any warm notes.
That said, this is the lightest option of the bunch in both taste and alcohol. It has a nice spirited balance, although we couldn’t find what liquor it is made with. One would assume Irish whiskey, but it’s been difficult to confirm. And it is the easiest brand to find. You can even order it on Amazon!
- Base: Almond Milk Beverage
- Allergens: Contains Almond and Soy
- Alcohol: 13%
- Availability: U.S., Canada, and U.K.
- Info: www.baileys.com
Almondaire Almond-Based Creme Liqueur
This award-winning drink deserves every medal. They’ve made a better attempt to mimic Baileys Irish Cream with a full-bodied, creamy mouth feel. It’s still lighter, but it does offer those warm hints of cocoa and vanilla that we were longing for.
The warming sensation of this libation is a touch stronger than Baileys Almande, but again we’re left wondering what spirit it’s made with. The label just says, “made with natural grain spirits.”
The smooth flavor and consistency of Almondaire won us over for straight sipping and cocktails, and it really does hold its own against the competition …
- Base: Almond Milk Beverage
- Allergens: Contains Almond and Soy
- Alcohol: 13.9%
- Availability: U.S.
- Info: www.almondaire.com
Bom Bom Vegan Liqueurs
The warm vanilla flavor rush and pure, creamy consistency made Bom Bom’s almond milk Nilli Vanilli our hands down favorite dairy-free cream liqueur. The others are good, even great, but this one is the best. The vanilla permeates both the scent and the taste for a level of dairy-free indulgence that is hard to rival. Bom Bom Nilli Vanilli is wonderful in cocktails, but we couldn’t resist sipping most of it straight up. It’s full-bodied, but not too heavy, and has a nice strong kick of Caribbean rum.
It was actually a very close race between Almondaire and Bom Bom Fully Baked, which is made with creamy hemp milk and premium Caribbean rum. Everyone liked the flavor, but a mild “hemp taste” was noted. It has wonderful hints of cocoa intertwined in the smooth creamy finish, and is the strongest of the dairy-free cream liqueurs that we tasted. It’s enjoyable to sip, but we also thought this cream liqueur was a real star in cocktails. This Vegan Apple Pie Martini is a unique but irresistible drink!
- Base: Hemp Milk Beverage or Almond Milk Beverage
- Allergens: Contains Soy; Almond variety contains Almonds
- Alcohol: 14%
- Availability: U.S. and Canada
- Info: www.drinkbombom.com (their website isn’t well updated, but as of 2020, we’ve still seen availability)
Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur
They offer several creamy chocolate liqueurs, but only the dark chocolate variety is dairy-free. We haven’t tried this one yet, but hear it makes a marvelous chocolate martini!
- Base: Dark chocolate
- Allergens: Unsure
- Alcohol: 15% (Brandy)
- Availability: U.S.
- Info: www.godivaliqueurs.com
Besos de Oro (2 Flavors)
I can’t rank this line of dairy-free liqueurs, because they’re only sold in Europe at this time. Besos de Oro is a Spain-based vegan company that has created rich brandy and tiger nut milk liqueur. It’s available in Classic and Chocolate flavors in the U.K., and they are trying to gain distribution in the U.S.
Tiger nuts aren’t actually tree nuts. They’re starchy tubers that are creamier than your average potato. If you have the 2nd Edition of Go Dairy Free, then I recommend trying the Eye of the Tiger-Nut Mylk Recipe – it’s a unique experience.
Unlike the other dairy-free cream liqueurs on the market, Besos de Oro is touted as top allergen-free. Their motto is, “Dairy Free, Lactose Free, Gluten Free, Soya Free, Nut Free, Cruelty Free but Not Alcohol Free!” If you are in the U.K., please pick some up and let us know how this brand compares!
- Base: Tigernut Milk Beverage
- Allergens: None Listed
- Alcohol: 18% (Brandy)
- Availability: U.K.
- Info: alternativeliqueurs.com
Prefer Homemade Irish Cream?
If you’re longing for a creamy recipe, can’t find these dairy-free cream liqueurs in store, or need a top allergen-free option, then I recommend trying one of these coconut milk-based Dairy-Free Irish Cream Recipes. They might not be spot on, but they’re close, and delicious!
For More Creamy Dairy-Free Recipes, Get Go Dairy Free!
5 Comments
I’ve not yet tried Beso but, when searching, I found that their site is no longer working. On Amazon there are some great reviews but not available on there. There is stock on: https://alternativeliqueurs.com for both the vanilla and chocolate.
Thanks! I updated the link.
I love to know how to mix dairy milk with other juice sugar free
Alisa, I love how your reviews are so honest and unbiased they are! I also love how descriptive this is….I can almost taste it for myself…but without the buzz ?.
Haha, well I think you need to try them now Nicole, in the spirit of the holidays!