Baileys B52

The B52 is the classic shot. Its impressive looks are worth the effort, but don’t overlook its delicious creamy, orange and coffee flavours as well.

About this recipe

Ingredients

Baileys® Original Irish Cream

Since its creation in 1974, Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur, a delicious blend of quality whiskey and smooth Irish cream, has become one of the world’s best-loved liqueurs.

How to make

Pour 10ml Coffee Liqueur’ into a shot glass.

Gently pour 10ml Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur down the back of a bar spoon into the glass while keeping the spoon end against the inside wall of the glass.

Repeat with 10ml Orange Liqueur.

Grab a bite

Get some grub in before or while you’re drinking – it slows alcohol absorption.

The B-52 Cocktail

The B-52 cocktail is a very popular mixed drink, or fancy drink as it is sometimes categorized. It is a short drink and part of its popularity is given by its name which, contrary to popular belief, was not named directly after the US B-52 Stratofortress long-range bomber, but after the band The B-52s. Of course, both the band and the drink got their names after this bomber, which is known for having been used during the Vietnam war in order to shoot incendiary bombs. This last feature is said to have inspired the flaming version of the cocktail.

B-52 Cocktail picture

There are other names for the B-52 cocktail, some people calling it Bifi or simply B52. However, although we know its name origins, the history of its invention is not as clear. The most convincing story is that it was invented by the head bartender at the Banff Springs Hotel located in Banff, Alberta. His name was Peter Fich and this wasn’t the first time he would name a new drink after bands he liked, or after song and album names. The B-52 was one of the first shooters, and it gained more popularity when one of Fich’s customers decided he liked the drink so much that he would add it to the menu list in his various restaurants from Alberta.

Like all popular drinks, the B-52 cocktail gave inspiration for numerous other variations based on its recipe; all of them have similar names, which is why together they are called the B-50 Series. All of these drinks are, like the original, layered when prepared correctly. Each ingredient has to have its own level in the glass, which is why one requires some basic knowledge of the drinks used in order to know which have the heaviest and which the lightest volume.

An official IBA cocktail, the B-52 cocktail requires the following ingredients:

20 ml coffee liqueur
20 ml Irish cream
20 ml orange cognac, generally Cointreau

The drinks are poured in this order into a shot glass, so the coffee is at the bottom and the Cointreau at the surface. From the second ingredient, the Irish Cream, the bartender uses a bar spoon so the layers aren’t disturbed; thus, one gently pours cream over the back of a spoon, and then the Cointreau over the other two. No garnish is used for this drink, but one can add a stirrer if they want to feel all the ingredients mixed together when drinking. The method of pouring drinks on top of each other to create layers of color and taste is called “building”, and it is used for numerous other cocktails as well. Savvy bartenders perform this task by hand, but there are also machines which can produce B-52s in layers, and other similar drinks too.

Like mentioned before, a shot glass is usually used to serve the B-52 cocktail, but one can also use a sherry glass, or a heatproof glass in case you want to prepare a Flaming B-52, and the glass has to be filled to the top so less heat touches the edges.

B52 cocktail

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3 Ingredients

1/3 shot Bailey's Irish Cream 1/3 shot Bailey's Irish Cream 1.5 cl Bailey's Irish Cream 15 ml Bailey's Irish Cream 1/3 shot Bailey's Irish Cream 0.5 oz Bailey's Irish Cream
1/3 shot Grand Marnier 1/3 shot Grand Marnier 1.5 cl Grand Marnier 15 ml Grand Marnier 1/3 shot Grand Marnier 0.5 oz Grand Marnier
1/3 shot Coffee Liqueur 1/3 shot Coffee Liqueur 1.5 cl Coffee Liqueur 15 ml Coffee Liqueur 1/3 shot Coffee Liqueur 0.5 oz Coffee Liqueur

Original
cl
ml
oz

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Has been featured as cocktail of the day on this site

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Is categorised as a 'classic' cocktail on this site

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Are you ready to get bombed? Well, this layered shot will, happily and deliciously, get you most of the way there! Make a B-52 cocktail today!">B-52 Cocktail Recipe - How to Make a B-52 https://www.youtube.com/embed/LnGPSINuiQo

Drink Recipe - Layer 1/2 oz Kahlua 1/2 oz Bailey's 1/2 oz Grand Marnier Top with Bacardi 151 and light it Prank Channel - http://www.Youtube.com/AlexMandel . ">Flaming B-52 Shot with Alex Wassabi https://www.youtube.com/embed/BKAAMlLEvFI

B52 Cocktail. An explosive shot designed for the brave. An exciting three layered mix consisting of coffee liqueur, cointreau, and baileys. Relish our B52 Cocktail . ">How To Make A B52 Cocktail

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B-52 shot

The triple layered B-52 Shot

A drink born in the 70's, the B-52 shot is a combination of Kahlúa, Irish cream and Triple Sec (bar talk for orange liqueur).

The B-52 is mostly known for its impressive composition. When prepared properly, the ingredients separate into three visible layers, graciously floating upon another. Make sure to grow your mullet, and the pleasure is all… ours.

The Kahlúa recipe How to make

1 part kahlúa

1 part irish cream liqueur

1 part triple sec

Ok so layers – the opposite of mixing. It’s delicate, so treat the B52 shot like your grandma’s vase! Recipe secret lies in the density of the liquids. Grab a chilled shot glass, start with Kahlúa, then add cream liqueur and finish with the orange liqueur. Tip: Pour the booze on the back of a spoon for perfect layering. Better Tip: Set it on fire!

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under legal drinking age.

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Introducing Coach Kahlúa

KAHLÚA ORIGINAL Coffee Liqueur

WE ARE THE ORIGINAL

Did you know it takes 7 years to produce a bottle

Contact

Find a store near you right here: Where to Buy

Chefs and cookbook authors out there enjoy cooking with Kahlúa and have developed recipes in unisome with us. Directions for these delectables are just a click away (it was hard for us to choose a favorite).

For how long can I let a bottle sit?

The bottle will stay mint for 4 years. After this, the coffee flavor won’t hit the high notes as in it’s prime – but it will stay safe and sound to enjoy for longer.

The B-52 Shot: That Triple-Layered Shot Everyone Loves

3 mins

Prep: 3 mins,

Cook: 0 mins

Yield: 1 serving

The B-52 is one of the most popular shot drinks you will find. It is a triple-layered drink that is perfect for practicing your layering skills and a ton of fun at parties.

The original B-52 shot is reported to have been created sometime in the 1970's. This was a decade of layering Galliano atop the Harvey Wallbanger and pouring almost every bottle of booze in a glass to create icons like the Long Island Iced Tea. Out of this same era came the popular round of shots collectively known as the B-50s.

The B-50 Shot Family

The B-52 is, by far, one of the best-known shots to have survived the last few decades, but there are more B-50s as you can see below.

The B-51, B-52, B-53 and B-54 all have three things in common:

An equal pour of liquor, 1/3 of a shot glass for each ingredient. The exact amount will depend on the size of the shot glass and they look best as tall shots.

Kahlua and Baileys are almost always used, the third ingredient varies.

Layered in the order the ingredients are given (heaviest liquor on the bottom, lightest on the top).

The B-52 Shot

Kahlua, Baileys and Grand Marnier are the stars of the B-52. These three liqueurs combine to create a delightful taste, with a little citrus to accent the coffee cream. If you are looking for a great tasting shooter, the B-52 is a great choice.

What You'll Need

1/2 ounce Kahlua coffee liqueur

1/2 ounce Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier orange liqueur

How to Make It

Pour the coffee liqueur into a shot glass.

Float the Irish cream liqueur on top.

Float the Grand Marnier on top of the second layer.

If you want to switch things up, here are a few suggestions:

Don't want the layers? Shake the ingredients and strain them into the glass.

Some B-52 recipes replace the Irish cream with amaretto.

Tia Maria is a popular substitution for Kahlua.

Cointreau is a popular substitution for Grand Marnier.

Create a creamy sipping cocktail by increasing the ingredients to fit a cocktail glass (keep the same 1/3 ratio). Serve it either layered or shaken.

It is possible to use different brands than those suggested, but your layers may not be as well-defined as it is with these three. While most liqueurs of the same style have a similar specific gravity, it is not a guarantee. Irish cream is the only one that should be very similar no matter which brand you choose.

Flaming B-52 Shot

Do you like fire? Once you learn how to make a B-52, you can take it to the next level. By adding just a little bit of overproof rum on top of the original drink, you can easily make a Flaming B-52.

As long as your Grand Marnier is at room temperature, it is also possible to light the B-52 without the rum.

Pour the B-52 a little shorter than normal, leaving extra space in the glass.

Add a small amount (about 3 drops) of 151-proof rum on the top.

Light the shot on fire.

Extinguish before drinking!

Be careful when playing with fire in your bar! Accidents happen, so make sure hair and clothing are out of the way, don't pour too much rum and that everyone around you knows there is about to be fire!

If you've had a bit too much to drink already, skip the fire and save it for another day.

The B-51 Shot

1/3 shot Kahlua

1/3 shot Bailey's Irish Cream

1/3 shot Frangelico

Create this shot in the same way as the B-52, layering the ingredients in the order given.

The B-53 Shot

The B-53 shot typically includes an anise-flavored liqueur like sambuca or absinthe.

They're some of the most potent shots of the B-50 family, in both taste and (depending which liqueur you choose) alcohol content. Learn how to make the B-53.

The B-54 Shot

1/3 shot Kahlua

1/3 shot Baileys Irish Cream

1/3 shot tequila

Again, layer the ingredients in a shot glass in the order given.

How Strong are the B-50 Shots?

If we were to pour any of these shots with the call brands and kept that third ingredient at 80 proof, we can estimate how strong they are. On average, the layered B-52 is about 26% ABV (52 proof).

B-52 shot recipe: like candy in a glass

THIS PAGE MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE.

Online, you’ll find quite a few variations on the B-52 shot cocktail. The classic recipe layers Kahlua, then Bailey’s Irish Cream, and then Grand Marnier on top. The flavor of a B-52 is described by some bartenders as a little like caramel.

It’s a subtle blend of coffee, orange, cream and whiskey flavors in which no single flavor stands out much above the others. The B-52 really deserves to be savored alone – it’s a dessert all on its own.

Check out our guide to layering cocktails, with photos and detailed instructions. Or you can just watch the video here:

B-52 Shot Cocktail Recipe

1/2 ounce Kahlua

1/2 ounce Bailey’s Irish Cream

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier (some people recommend amaretto instead – it’s also much cheaper than GM!)

Pour the Kahlua into a shot glass, then layer the Bailey’s, and then the Grand Marnier.

B-52 Drink Recipe

Glass to Use

Ingredients

1 part Irish Cream (Bailey's)

1 part Grand Marnier

1 part Kahlua

Mixing Instructions

Layer Kahlua, Bailey's and then Grand Marnier in a shot glass. Serve with a stirrer.

Comments on B-52:

Just tried this on our cruise. wow, my wife couldn't stop talking about it!

drank this in the 80s. still good in2011

Used to drink these with an added ingredient.

Top layer of 151

it was called a B-2

Hey Dave, if you use Crown Royal it is called a Duck Fart.

The best way (and the coolest way, if you're a bartender) is to pour each liquor down a cherry stem so that you get three distinct layers in the glass. Then when you drink it, you also get to taste each flavor! Fantastic.

Always loved White Russians. Tried a B-52--will never go back!! It's like a White Russian on steroids!.

lighting it burns off the alcohol, looks great but defeats the purpose -- CHEERS!

kahlua, bailey's, amaretto. legit.

its kinda soft. but great. i tried with vodka with higher alco % instead of grand marnier. ( to light up)

I have substituted Crown Royal for the Grand Marnier. It gives the drink an added kick.

I think Gran gala makes a better middle layer.

It is thicker than gran marnier and half the price.

the best way is to actually light it up.

Try Absinth instead of Grand Marnier ;-)

Tastes like a lighter version of a Concorde.

Hate to break the news to you, but B52s have been around since the dawn of time!

Bailey's, Kahlua, Disaronno. THE best, hands down. I was pissed when I found out somebody already named my drink. I thought I had something unique and then someone slanders the good taste of this drink with a pop-culture music group - that or airforce bomber reference - either way, there's only one way to do it right.

Used to drink them at a bar here in town years ago, so I made one last night and. yummm! Just like I remembered. At another bar I remember having a B-54 instead. gotta look it up.

I don't know about America. but in Europe- we light it before drinking it!

drank a squadron of these on Norfolk Va. Just missed getting arrested that night. Ooorah!

this is a bad ass drink, my bartender makes an actual drink for me with a shot of each, its expensive but it only takes 2 and im hammered :D

with Absolut instead of the Grand Marnier, that's a Mudslide

Absolutely amazing! But I had it with Kahlua, Bailey's, and Absolut instead of the Grand Marnier. Wonder which tastes better?

Blacked out lol

Very creamy and delicious!

3 jiggers of each over lots of ice. heaven on earth.

Made this for a bunch of exchange students at a party. It was awesome! (They had also never heard of a blowjob shot apparently. )

Puked my guts out after drinking two of these (after 6 funny tasting tequila sunrises) But it does taste sooooo good!

yummy!! one of the best shots ever--tastes like a milk shake!! =]

This also works good with Triple Sec - takes some of the price off tool

Serving size: 250 mL (1 cup)

* : Percent daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your diet needs.

B 52 Cocktail

Layer equal parts in the order given. This is the ONLY way to make a B-52

Ingredients:

4.46999979019165 99

Leave some comments about the B 52

I first tried this in Canada back in 98 it was well new to me and Ive been hooked ever since, its a cool shooter. love it.

is this shot done in a wee shot glass? like the kind of glass you put an aftershock or a sourz in?im just starting to try my cocktails out now

very nice balances off flavours well not too harsh

If people are viewing this recipe and aren't in "the trade"; Kahlua first, Then layer the Baileys, then drizzle the Grand Marnier down the side of the glass or over a bar spoon to float clearly on the Baileys. If you float vodka on top of the Grand Marnier (it can be done), this makes it a Russian B52.

one of the best cocktails also good if its flaming

awsome!! my favorite drink, tastes like a chocolate milkshake, but thinner. getts you really f**ked up

The B-52 Shot: That Triple-Layered Shot Everyone Loves

3 mins

Prep: 3 mins,

Cook: 0 mins

Yield: 1 serving

The B-52 is one of the most popular shot drinks you will find. It is a triple-layered drink that is perfect for practicing your layering skills and a ton of fun at parties.

The original B-52 shot is reported to have been created sometime in the 1970's. This was a decade of layering Galliano atop the Harvey Wallbanger and pouring almost every bottle of booze in a glass to create icons like the Long Island Iced Tea. Out of this same era came the popular round of shots collectively known as the B-50s.

The B-50 Shot Family

The B-52 is, by far, one of the best-known shots to have survived the last few decades, but there are more B-50s as you can see below.

The B-51, B-52, B-53 and B-54 all have three things in common:

An equal pour of liquor, 1/3 of a shot glass for each ingredient. The exact amount will depend on the size of the shot glass and they look best as tall shots.

Kahlua and Baileys are almost always used, the third ingredient varies.

Layered in the order the ingredients are given (heaviest liquor on the bottom, lightest on the top).

The B-52 Shot

Kahlua, Baileys and Grand Marnier are the stars of the B-52. These three liqueurs combine to create a delightful taste, with a little citrus to accent the coffee cream. If you are looking for a great tasting shooter, the B-52 is a great choice.

What You'll Need

1/2 ounce Kahlua coffee liqueur

1/2 ounce Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier orange liqueur

How to Make It

Pour the coffee liqueur into a shot glass.

Float the Irish cream liqueur on top.

Float the Grand Marnier on top of the second layer.

If you want to switch things up, here are a few suggestions:

Don't want the layers? Shake the ingredients and strain them into the glass.

Some B-52 recipes replace the Irish cream with amaretto.

Tia Maria is a popular substitution for Kahlua.

Cointreau is a popular substitution for Grand Marnier.

Create a creamy sipping cocktail by increasing the ingredients to fit a cocktail glass (keep the same 1/3 ratio). Serve it either layered or shaken.

It is possible to use different brands than those suggested, but your layers may not be as well-defined as it is with these three. While most liqueurs of the same style have a similar specific gravity, it is not a guarantee. Irish cream is the only one that should be very similar no matter which brand you choose.

Flaming B-52 Shot

Do you like fire? Once you learn how to make a B-52, you can take it to the next level. By adding just a little bit of overproof rum on top of the original drink, you can easily make a Flaming B-52.

As long as your Grand Marnier is at room temperature, it is also possible to light the B-52 without the rum.

Pour the B-52 a little shorter than normal, leaving extra space in the glass.

Add a small amount (about 3 drops) of 151-proof rum on the top.

Light the shot on fire.

Extinguish before drinking!

Be careful when playing with fire in your bar! Accidents happen, so make sure hair and clothing are out of the way, don't pour too much rum and that everyone around you knows there is about to be fire!

If you've had a bit too much to drink already, skip the fire and save it for another day.

The B-51 Shot

1/3 shot Kahlua

1/3 shot Bailey's Irish Cream

1/3 shot Frangelico

Create this shot in the same way as the B-52, layering the ingredients in the order given.

The B-53 Shot

The B-53 shot typically includes an anise-flavored liqueur like sambuca or absinthe.

They're some of the most potent shots of the B-50 family, in both taste and (depending which liqueur you choose) alcohol content. Learn how to make the B-53.

The B-54 Shot

1/3 shot Kahlua

1/3 shot Baileys Irish Cream

1/3 shot tequila

Again, layer the ingredients in a shot glass in the order given.

How Strong are the B-50 Shots?

If we were to pour any of these shots with the call brands and kept that third ingredient at 80 proof, we can estimate how strong they are. On average, the layered B-52 is about 26% ABV (52 proof).

B52 cocktail

Classic cocktails are the drinks that have stood the test of time. They are the blueprints on which all other cocktails are based.

Signature cocktails are created by top-flight bartenders as well as the staff of Supercall. Some are seasonal, some are whimsical. All are designed to wow your guests with mixocological magic.

Between the Classic cocktails you know and Signature drinks created by pros lie Standard Deviations: clever riffs on iconic recipes that'll expand your repertoire—without trying your patience.

top spirits

Classic cocktails are the drinks that have stood the test of time. They are the blueprints on which all other cocktails are based.

Signature cocktails are created by top-flight bartenders as well as the staff of Supercall. Some are seasonal, some are whimsical. All are designed to wow your guests with mixocological magic.

Between the Classic cocktails you know and Signature drinks created by pros lie Standard Deviations: clever riffs on iconic recipes that'll expand your repertoire—without trying your patience.

top spirits

You’re probably familiar with the Mudslide’s trendy cous.

A shot for people who "don’t like shots," the Screaming Or.

This collegiate shooter gets its name from the chemical reac.

The Slippery Nipple was likely invented during the 1980s whe.

If you didn’t already have “Love Shack” stuck in your head, get ready. Created in the 1970s by a bartender/B-52’s superfan, this eye-catching drink isn’t your typical shooter. It’s one of the few surviving members of a category of layered drinks known as pousse cafés, which translates to “coffee pushers.” Pousse cafés are meant to be sipped alongside coffee, layer by layer, but this drink is often taken like any other shot—in one swift go. So throw on “Love Shack” (or “Rock Lobster” if you, like this drink’s creator, are a real die-hard fan) and get your fill of guilty pleasures.

The Essentials

Ingredients

Fill one-third of a shot glass with Kahlua.

Layer Baileys on top of the Kahlua.

Layer the Grand Marnier on top of the Baileys.

Shoot!

You’re probably familiar with the Mudslide’s trendy cousin, the White Russian. Though similar in flavor, this drink gets a little extra kick by substituting Irish cream for boring old regular cream. The Mudslide supposedly got its start at the Wreck Bar & Grill on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands in the 1950s, and the drink is still on th.

More Classics

Pimm's Cup

Corpse Reviver #1

Bensonhurst

Blue Martini

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