The whisky and cream drink is popular over the festive period but some are now turning away from it thanks to the alcohol-free dry January trend.

But experts say that anyone tempted to make sure they don’t drink the alcohol by pouring it done the drain could cause serious problems. Southern Water has now issued a warning against it, reports The Mirror.

Alex Saunders, head of Southern Water’s wastewater network, said: “Something like Baileys, which has a cream content could add to problems. No one likes a nasty surprise over the festive season and a blocked drain is no different.”

Kevin Began, director Blockbuster Drainage, said: “It will collate in the ‘U’ bend under the sink due to its thick consistency and prevent liquid from passing through to the external drainage. It can also cause it to set in the small bore pipework and cause blockages.”

The same goes for hot cooking fat, cream, sauces and oils. Kevin said you should pour the liquid into a “sealable container and dispose of it in your general waste bin”.

Jamie Woodhall, UK technical and innovations manager at Rentokil Specialist Hygiene, said: “You should only pour water based products down a sink, or those that are water soluble.

“Flushing unsuitable products down domestic or commercial drains can lead to expensive drain blockages and overflowing sinks as well as increasing the risk of contamination, since grease sludge can harbour pathogenic bacteria.”

He added: “Top culprits for blocking drains in homes and commercial spaces are products that contain grease, fats and oil; expanding foods such as rice and pasta; flour; coffee grounds; and paint.

“With a severe blockage, some people turn to mechanical cleaning methods such as high pressure water jetting and rodding, but these are maybe unsuitable and even become a source of bacteria contamination if not operated with care. So you should always consult an expert to resolve a severe blockage in a safe manner.”