photo courtesy of Thirsty.com
The first Irish Cream was launched in 1975 and it was a mix of Irish Whiskey, Irish cream along with other ingredients. The creative minds in the Irish drink world has given the drink a world wide audience and the creativeness is still growing. The producers in recent years have tapped into some popular flavors. The product is not just for Christmas anymore with such combinations like ‘Strawberries and Cream’ becoming a summer favorite and ‘Pumpkin Spice’ in the autumn during Halloween. They have enjoyed a growth in an array of delicious cocktails, over ice, or in warm drinks like coffee.
Irish Cream liquor, like Irish whiskey, is protected at an EU level by a Geographic Indication (GI), which is a legal protection that ensures it must be made on the island of Ireland, in accordance with certain production standards. This is also true with such EU products as Champagne and Port. This protection ensures that the innately Irish spirit, produced to the highest quality, is enjoyed throughout the world and in the United States and UK in particular, with global sales increasing by 5.32% between 2017 and 2018. There are now over 10 producers and brand owner, located across Ireland that produce Irish Cream liquor drinks.