For me, Baileys always used to be a drink that was devoured by methods of mass consumption at Christmas time. Five years or so ago I turned vegan and said farewell to that tradition.

No other alternative (even homemade disasters involving soya milk and Kahlua) could fill the void- until now.

As more and more major brands take notice of the rising vegan movement, we’re seeing them adapt recipes and offer vegan friendly products that we know and love. Baileys have answered that call and introduced Baileys Almande. If a unicorn cried tears of joy into a bottle it would be called Baileys Almande.

I first tried this delightful glass of happiness in Crossroads Kitchen, Hollywood. Left stunned by its velvety goodness, I immediately tried to source a bottle when I arrived back home in the UK and this is when I found my first hurdle: it wasn’t available anywhere other than Wholefoods stores. As I live nowhere near one of their stores and it wasn’t available online at the time, my cravings had to be subdued and my hopes of reviving my Christmas tradition sat on the shelf.

Alas, two months later on my 30th Birthday lay a gift with a note “to remind us of the memories”. As I peeled back the paper I was presented with this Holy Grail, as an angelic light beamed from within the wrapping paper: my very own bottle of Baileys Almande. Within minutes I was in the kitchen and pouring my first glass over ice (yes, this was still in the morning but it was 5 o’clock somewhere and it was my birthday, so don’t judge).

It was as beautiful as I remember and the fact that it is vegan makes it extra special. Baileys has hit the nail on the head with this and seem to have taken the time to get their recipe just right. I can confirm that it was worth the wait.

The brilliant news is that this is available online, so you can grab yourself a bottle in time for Christmas. Click here to take a trip over to The Goodness Project and experience it for yourself.