Wednesday, November 25 2009

BAILEYS International Day was celebrated recently with activities taking place at several local pubs where patrons got to sample the popular cream liqueur. Since its introduction in 1974, Baileys has grown to become the number one liqueur in the world, sold in more than 130 countries.

It is made with fresh dairy cream, triple distilled Irish whiskey, fine Irish spirits, cocoa and vanilla, using a unique blending process.

Courtesy the local distributors for Baileys, here are some signature drinks you can make with this liqueur.

The Perfect Serve

Unlike other alcohol beverages Baileys is a ready-to-serve spirit. It tastes best when you serve it without mixers as it already comes fully prepared. To create the Baileys Perfect Serve all you need to do is the following:

Firstly, take three large ice cubes (50- grammes in total weight), place them in a glass and pour a 50-ml measure of Baileys over the ice. Finish by adding friends.



Baileys Blended

Baileys Blended is a longer, lighter way to enjoy Baileys with friends.

Simply throw three 50-gramme weight of ice cubes into a blender and pour in a 50-ml measure of Baileys. Blend together for 50 seconds until all the ice is blended with the Baileys. Serve in a long 250 ml glass.

Shaken Baileys

What about a night out with friends, something festive for the party season? Shaken Baileys is perfect for this.

Throw three ice cubes (50 grammes total weight) into a cocktail shaker; add in 50-ml of Baileys and shake for one minute. Serve in a tall martini glass.



Baileys Latte

Baileys is the perfect accompaniment to coffee at the end of a meal or to enjoy during a catch-up with friends.

A Baileys Latte is the perfect way to end a casual dining experience. Simply pour a 50-ml measure of Baileys into a large cup of coffee, add milk froth/foam and chocolate flakes as a topping and serve hot.

Here is a step by step guide to tasting Baileys

1. To get to know the liquid a little bit, we suggest you start by taking the glass of Baileys in your hand. Swirl it gently and you will see the wonderful consistency of Baileys.

2. Now you need to teach your nose to appreciate the great aroma. The wonderful thing about Baileys is the unique aroma from the ingredients that you can distinguish when inhaling the vapours.

3. Take the glass in your hand and inhale slowly.

4. The first flavour you will enjoy is vanilla.

5. Can you sense any other flavours? Do you find there is a hint of chocolate in there as well? You will be right.

6. The vanilla and chocolate aromas that you smell are made exclusively for Baileys in France and Germany.

7. You will also smell the finest of spirits and Whiskey, which also forms the base ingredients of Baileys.

8. The luxurious texture of Baileys liquid is derived from the fresh Irish dairy cream.

When you sip Baileys, you feel the cream hitting your tongue, its temperature starts to rise to body temperature, 37 degrees Celsius and the cream melts to release all the flavours into the mouth – the spirits, the whiskey, sugar and chocolate.

The warm glow and taste of the whiskey is first experienced by the taste buds at the back of the tongue and the warmth envelops your throat. As you swallow, you will then feel the whiskey descending to warm your tummy.

Then as the temperature of the liquid continues to rise in the mouth, it causes even more flavours to be released. The chocolate flavour is enjoyed on the outside edges of the tongue, followed by the sugar.

The luxuriant mouth-feel of Baileys is now being felt all over your mouth as the silkiness of the cream caresses the inside cheeks and tongue. Overall – a harmony of flavours, released around a luxuriant mouth-feel.