Homemade sugar-free Irish cream liqueur

You don’t have to forgo the sweetened drinks on a low-carb diet.

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t St. Paddy’s Day is approaching apace and the internet abounds with Guinness- and Bailey’s-Irish-Cream-flavored treats. If you’re on a low-carb or sugar-free diet, you might think you need to abstain from heavily sweetened liqueurs like Irish cream. But making sugar-free liqueurs is easy, and this homemade Irish cream takes only a few minutes to whip up. Then you can use it in your favorite cocktails or baked goods, or just sip it on its own. I used mine to frost some low-carb, gluten-free brownies.

t I used star anise to get that little hint of licorice flavor that Bailey’s Irish Cream has, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can just skip it. Either way, it’s a truly delicious liqueur that you don’t have to feel guilty about.

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Homemade sugar-free Irish cream liqueur

Makes about 2 cups. Serves 16.

Ingredients:

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• 1 cup heavy cream

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• 1/3 cup Swerve sweetener or other erythritol-based sweetener

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• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

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• 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee granules
• 2 star anise pods (optional)

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• 1/2 cup half-and-half

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• 2/3 cup Irish whiskey

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• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

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• 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract

Directions:

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1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together cream, sweetener, cocoa powder, instant coffee and star anise, if using. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat, cover and let steep 30 minutes.

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2. Remove anise pods and transfer mixture to a blender. Add half-and-half, whiskey, almond extract and coconut extract. Blend until smooth.

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3. Transfer to a glass bottle or jar and refrigerate. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Nutritional Information Per 2 tbsp serving:

85 Calories; 6g Fat (90.5% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 1g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 23mg Cholesterol; 9mg Sodium.

Low Carb Irish Cream Brownies