Stars and Stripes Shot
Layer ∙ 2 min ∙ 31.7% ABV ∙
The Stars and Stripes Shot layers crème de cassis, maraschino and a green herbal liqueur into three distinct colored bands in a shot glass. Berry sweetness sits on the bottom, cherry-almond richness in the middle, and a cold herbal bite on top, each layer hitting the palate in sequence rather than blended together.
Ingredients
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 Cassis 15 mlMaraschino liqueur 15 mlHerbal liqueur (e.g., Green Chartreuse) 15 ml
Tips
- Use a narrow shot glass rather than a wide one; a smaller diameter gives each layer more depth and keeps the bands separate.
- Chill each liqueur and the glass beforehand; cold liquid pours more slowly and settles without breaking through the layer below.
- Pour each layer slowly over the back of a spoon or down the inside of the tilted glass to prevent the layers from mixing.
History
The Stars and Stripes Shot is a layered pousse-café made of crème de cassis, maraschino liqueur, and green Chartreuse, poured in careful order so the red, white, and blue bands stay separate. This specific build traces to Harry Craddock's Savoy Cocktail Book, published in 1930, placing it among the era's fashionable layered "pousse-café" drinks.
The pousse-café format itself is older, originating in 19th-century France as an after-dinner layering of liqueurs served alongside coffee, with the practice of stacking spirits by density becoming established by the mid-1800s. American bartenders later adopted the technique and applied patriotic color schemes and names like Stars and Stripes to the format, using the red-white-blue layers to evoke the national flag, and the shot remains best known today as a novelty drink for American patriotic occasions.
FAQ
What is in a Stars and Stripes Shot?
A Stars and Stripes Shot is three layered liqueurs: crème de cassis, maraschino liqueur, and an herbal liqueur such as green Chartreuse, poured in that order into a shot glass. Chilling the ingredients and glass beforehand helps the layers stay distinct rather than bleeding into one another.
What are some fun shots to make at home?
Layered shots like the Stars and Stripes Shot are a popular choice because the visual effect of distinct colored bands makes them a party centerpiece as much as a drink. This one uses only three ingredients and no shaking or mixing, just careful pouring, which makes it approachable for a home bartender to build correctly.
