Mariah Carey is many things. She’s a singer, songwriter, producer, mother of twins and the founder of an Irish cream brand called Black Irish. Black Irish officially launched in August 2021 after almost two years of planning and product development. “I really got involved in creating the flavor, working on everything from texture to color to the bottle design,” Mariah told me.
The inspiration behind launching an Irish cream brand was (of course) the holidays. “Every year, I go on a sleigh ride with my family and friends,” Mariah said. “We have tiramisu and hot cocoa (which may or may not be spiked), and this tradition sparked that initial idea.” While working to bring Black Irish to life, Mariah and her team realized that the liqueur could be enjoyed year-round, not just during the holidays. “It’s amazing over ice, mixed into a milkshake, served over ice cream or poured into coffee,” she said.
Black Irish Original Irish Cream
Credit: Black Irish
Black Irish launched with three flavors: Original Irish Cream, White Chocolate and Salted Caramel (which may or may not be Mariah’s favorite). The name of the brand is a playful nod to Mariah’s Black and Irish lineage. As a longtime fan of Irish cream cocktails, Mariah sought to create a new, festive spin on the classic liqueur. “I felt like a lot of people were coming out with different types of hard liquor but that’s not really my thing,” she said. “I love a great sweet cream liqueur and thought Black Irish could be something unique, fun and festive.”
For Mariah, the holidays are a special time of year—and not just because of her chart-topping hit. Christmas is a full-on production that she starts planning months in advance. Her Aspen Christmas plans this year includes a two-horse open sleigh, a visit from Santa Claus, reindeer sightings and hosting and cooking dinners for family and friends. Mariah gets help from a friend to make every Christmas as magical as possible for her children and her guests.
“I wait the entire year for Christmas; it’s a legitimate love of the holidays,” Mariah said. “I grew up with very little and it motivated me to be very focused and have that drive. One of the things I always wanted to have was a perfect Christmas and it just never happened.” As an adult, Mariah creates Christmas magic for herself and her loved ones, with this year’s festivities punctuated by yet another labor of love: Black Irish.
If you’re looking for some holiday drink inspiration, this spiked salted caramel hot chocolate featuring Black Irish Salted Caramel is the perfect treat for a cozy night in.
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Credit: Black Irish
Recipe for Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
1 c prepared hot chocolate
2 oz Black Irish Salted Caramel
Whipped cream to top
Caramel syrup to drizzle
Directions:
Fill mug with hot chocolate and Black Irish Salted Caramel, and stir.
Top with whipped cream.
Drizzle with caramel syrup.