Creamy, sweet, and soothing, this Dulce de Leche Liqueur feels like dessert in a bottle and brings a little indulgence to even the simplest moments.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting with creamy liqueurs, and this Dulce de Leche one might be the smoothest of them all. It’s like drinking liquid Dulce de Leche, so rich and velvety it’s almost impossible to resist. It’s also very easy to make, needing only four simple ingredients. I love keeping a bottle in the fridge for when guests drop by, and it makes one of the best homemade liqueurs for gifting.
Do you ever make your own drinks? With only a few ingredients, you can try one of the easy liqueur recipes to make at home, smooth and comforting like a sweet treat in a glass.
Serve it chilled after dinner, and it becomes a dessert-style liqueur that everyone will ask for. Enjoy, and cheers!
Why This Sweet Liqueur Is Always a Favourite
- Pairs wonderfully with coffee or served alongside chocolate desserts for adults.
- You only need a few simple ingredients to make Homemade Dulce de Leche Liqueur from scratch.
- An easy way to enjoy leftover Dulce de Leche and turn it into a rich, caramel-flavoured Italian liqueur.
Key Ingredients for Dulce de Leche Liqueur
Dulce de Leche
This is what gives the liqueur its caramel colour and rich flavour. Choose a good-quality one so it melts smoothly and keeps the drink creamy without being overly sweet.
Milk
Milk balances the richness of the Dulce de Leche and keeps the texture light. Whole milk works best, giving a soft, even flavour throughout.
Cream
Cream makes the drink thick and velvety. I like using full-fat cream because it helps the liqueur stay smooth and rich once chilled.
Alcohol
The alcohol gives the liqueur a gentle warmth and helps it keep well. Choose a neutral spirit like vodka for a lighter taste, or grain alcohol if you prefer a stronger, more traditional flavour.
Find the complete list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Dulce de Leche Liqueur
Step 1: Put the milk, cream, and Dulce de Leche in a pot. Cook over a slow flame until the Dulce de Leche has melted. Chill thoroughly.
Step 2: Add the alcohol to the Dulce de Leche mix, filter, and bottle it.
Step 3: Keep it in the fridge and serve it cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can reduce the Dulce de Leche slightly for a lighter sweetness or add a little more for a richer taste. Always adjust before adding the alcohol so the flavour balances properly.
Keep the mixture well chilled before adding the alcohol to help it blend evenly. Store the finished liqueur in the fridge and shake gently before serving to maintain a silky texture.
Yes, homemade Dulce de Leche works perfectly. Make sure it is silky and well-cooked so it blends smoothly with the milk and cream.
Store the Dulce de Leche Liqueur in clean, sterilised bottles with tight lids. Keep it in the fridge at about 4 °C – 39 °F to maintain its creamy texture and flavour. Shake gently before serving to mix it evenly.
Extra Help from the Kitchen
Use a Whisk Instead of a Spoon – A whisk helps the mixture come together faster and keeps the texture silky without leaving any lumps.
Add Flavour Once Cooled – Stir in vanilla or coffee when the base is cool but not cold. This helps the flavours blend evenly without curdling the cream.
Label and Date Each Batch – Homemade liqueurs stay best within 1 month, so adding labels helps track freshness, especially if making several bottles at once.
Use a Funnel When Bottling – A small funnel helps pour the liqueur neatly into bottles without spills or waste.
Variations and Twists
Make a Spiced Winter Version – Infuse the mixture with a few whole cloves and a strip of orange peel before chilling. It creates a festive twist perfect for colder months.
Try an Amaretto Twist – Replace a small portion of the neutral spirit with Amaretto. It adds a delicate almond note that pairs perfectly with the caramel base.
Create a Chocolate Variation – Whisk in a tablespoon of cocoa powder or melted dark chocolate while heating the mixture. It turns the liqueur into a rich chocolate-caramel treat.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store your Dulce de Leche Liqueur in clean, sterilised glass bottles with tight-fitting lids. Keep the bottles refrigerated at all times and away from foods with strong odours that could affect the flavour. Before serving, shake the liqueur gently to restore its smooth, creamy consistency.
The liqueur will keep well for up to 1 month when properly refrigerated. Always check before serving; If the liqueur develops a sour scent, curdled appearance, or separation that doesn’t blend back when gently shaken, it’s best to make a fresh batch. Avoid freezing, as the cream base can separate and lose its silky texture once thawed.
More Sweet Ideas Made with Dulce de Leche
Dulce de Leche Liqueur
Creamy, sweet, and soothing, this Dulce de Leche Liqueur feels like dessert in a bottle and brings a little indulgence to even the simplest moments.
Ingredients
- 300 g – 10.5 oz Dulce de Leche – Homemade Dulce de Leche or store-bought
- 300 ml – 1¼ cups milk
- 250 ml – 1 cup cream
- 65 ml – ¼ cup alcohol – 95% or 151-proof grain alcohol or 85 ml – ⅓ cup vodka
Instructions
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Put the milk, cream, and Dulce de Leche in a pot. Cook over a slow flame until the Dulce de Leche has melted. Chill thoroughly.
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Add the alcohol to the Dulce de Leche mix, filter, and bottle it.
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Keep it in the fridge and serve it cold.
You are just just awsome. blessed by goddess of food ANNAPURNA. I love all the receipes you post.we are veg, so love to try this.
Stay blessed.. all the best.
I am dying to make dulche de leche. How long does it keep in the fridge. Till expire date on cream?
Home-made Dulce de Leche can keep well for a week in the fridge (though mine never lasts that long!!).
If you are making liqueur, it will last longer (I have kept it a couple of weeks) because the alcohol acts as a sort of preservative.
I hope you enjoy it!