B-52
Coffee liqueur, Irish cream and Grand Marnier layered in three neat stripes.
Layered · Shot glass · Advanced · about 2 minutes · about 26% ABV
Ingredients
- 15 ml Coffee liqueur
- 15 ml Irish cream
- 15 ml Grand Marnier
Method
- Layer 15 ml coffee liqueur
- Layer 15 ml irish cream
- Layer 15 ml Grand Marnier
- Serve
Tip
Pour each layer slowly over the back of a spoon.
About the B-52
The B-52 is said to have been created in the 1970s, often credited to Peter Fich at the Banff Springs Hotel in Canada. It is named after the B-52 bomber or the band.
The shot and layered family. Layered drinks go back to the 19th-century pousse-café, where liqueurs were stacked by weight in a narrow glass. Short party shots became popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Layering works because sweeter, heavier liquids sink and lighter spirits float.
B-52 FAQ
What's in a B-52?
15 ml coffee liqueur, 15 ml irish cream, 15 ml grand marnier.
How strong is a B-52?
About 26% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 0.9 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is close to a straight spirit, so sip it slowly.
Should I shake or stir a B-52?
Neither. Pour each layer slowly over the back of a spoon.
What glass do you serve a B-52 in?
A shot glass, about 60 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No shot glass? Use a small liqueur glass.
