Food - Drink
Should You Refrigerate Baileys?
By KATHERINE BECK
Made with cream, whiskey, sugar, milk, and flavorings, Baileys first entered the market in the 1970’s, and this sweet and creamy liquor has become a staple for bartenders and at-home mixologists. Given that Baileys is made with real Irish milk, many of us store our bottles in the refrigerator, but is that where Baileys really belongs?
Per the Baileys official website, you don’t need to find a spot in the refrigerator after cracking open a bottle; you just have to keep it in a dark place or out of direct sunlight, at a temperature between 32 degrees F and 77 degrees F. The alcohol in a bottle of Baileys acts as a good preservative, despite all the fresh dairy in the bottle.
Like all liquors, Baileys can eventually go bad. Opened or unopened, one bottle can last up to 2 years, but if you're suspicious of an older bottle, check to see if the smell or consistency has changed; also, don't try to freeze Baileys to extend its shelf life, since the cream will freeze while the alcohol won't, messing up the consistency.