How to know if Baileys has gone off

16 Dec 2024, 22:09 by Megan Martin · RSVP Live

It's officially Baileys season but you might be horrified to know that the bottle of liquor you pull from the back of the press once a year may no longer be drinkable.

Unlike other alcoholic beverages that can sit on a shelf for years on end, ready and waiting for you to take your fancy, Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur waits for no man.

As it happens, and perhaps quite obviously, Baileys goes off sooner than you think because of its creamy contents.

Baileys contains real dairy milk and cream that will spoil eventually, despite the alcoholic content. In fact, a bottle of Baileys will only last for two years after manufacturing.

How to know if your bottle of Baileys is gone off

Each bottle of Baileys will be stamped with a Best Before date that is exactly 2 years after it was manufactured.

After the two year mark, the taste, texture and quality of the drink will slowly degrade - the speed at which it happens depends on how its been stored. Much like dairy products, the liquor will slowly separate, thicken and curdle.

If it's not too far beyond the Best Before date a good shake may buy you some extra time. But it's safe to say the dusty bottle that's been in the back of the cupboard for years will no longer bring you Christmas joy.

You'll normally be able to tell if your Baileys has gone bad by the taste, smell, texture and colour. If the liquor smells musty or like custard, tastes sour, has gone dark and cloudy in colour rather than creamy, or has turned thick, lumpy or congealed, it's advisable not to drink it.

What happens if you drink gone off Baileys

While it's certainly not life-threatening to drink gone off Baileys, it won't be pleasant and may lead to an upset stomach.