B-52 Shot
A sweet and coffee cocktail ∙ Layer ∙ 2 min ∙ 26.3%
Ingredients
~136 kcal per serving
1
Servings
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Refrigerate all ingredients
- Carefully Layer in the chilled glass in the following order: Crème de Café liqueur 15 mlIrish cream liqueur 15 mlCognac orange liqueur (e.g., Grand Marnier) 15 ml
History
B-52 Shot is a classic layered shooter that stacks coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and orange liqueur into a visually striking three-band serve. Each sip moves from rich coffee notes through silky cream to bright citrus, creating a dessert-like experience in a single gulp. The carefully built layers showcase bartending technique as much as flavor, making it a favorite for parties and bar demonstrations. Smooth, sweet, and gently warming, it appeals even to those who usually avoid strong spirits. Created in 1977 by bartender Peter Fich at the Banff Springs Hotel in Canada, it was named after the band The B-52s, whose name itself referenced a beehive hairstyle reminiscent of the B-52 bomber’s nosecone—linking this playful shot, by a chain of references, to the iconic Stratofortress.
