It’s creamy, it’s sweet, it’s such a sip of pure heaven. Plus, look at it! It’s one of the prettiest shots you can put together. You may take a peek at the ingredient list and see a mixture of coffee and orange. This seems like such an odd combination, but it becomes a deep caramel flavor. Mixed with the Irish cream? Well it doesn’t get any better than this. If you want to savor this drink rather than take it all in one go, you can mix the ingredients together rather than layer them. It’s your home bar, after all! The only rules that matter are your own. When the layers are mixed, you can sip the drink and enjoy it much longer.
What is a B52 shot?
This layered shot is comprised of equal parts coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and orange liqueur. The order is important for this recipe! Each subsequent layer is less dense than the last, making each ingredient float and create a perfect distinct line between the layers. Like most drink recipes, the origin is not entirely clear. The most popular version of the story comes from Banff, a gorgeous mountain town nestled in the Rockies in my home province, Alberta! It’s believed to have been the creation of a bartender who often named his drinks after his favorite bands.
Ingredients
Coffee liqueur – Kahlua is a great option. You can use any type you like best. Irish cream – Bailey’s, Kerrygold, Emmets; choose any type. You can even experiment with different flavors. I used a salted caramel Bailey’s and it was the bomb! Orange liqueur – Grand marnier, triple sec, cointreau, or even curacao.
Substitutions
You can switch out the layers of Irish cream or orange liqueur to create a new, equally gorgeous, flavor profile for your shot. You can switch out the Irish cream for: tequila, sambuca, or peppermint schnapps. Or try these instead of orange liqueur: hazelnut liqueur, almond liqueur, or absinthe.
How to make a B52 shot
Tips for layering shots
Serving a B52 shot
As the name suggests, this is often taken as a shot in one swift gulp. Brace yourself! It’s quite sweet. Another great way to enjoy a B52 is poured into a hot cup of coffee. Try it with decaf as a liquid dessert after a meal! You can even have one in the morning; don’t worry, I will never judge.
Check out these homemade bar favorites:
Irish Coffee Earl Grey Martini Negroni Dark and Stormy Mojito Recipe Grenadine Sunrise Manhattan Drink Grasshopper Cocktail
