B-52
Easy
Sweet & Coffee
2 Minutes
Shot Glass
Ingredients
The B-52 is arguably the most popular shot cocktail on the planet. It’s sweet, decadent and creamy with flavors of coffee, cream, and orange.
Each of the B-52’s three liqueurs forms a distinct layer of color, making this iconic shot a standout for more reasons than one.
Hosting a party? The B-52 is an easy to make shot that’s always a hit whatever the occasion!
How To Make A b-52 cocktail shot
Bar tools you’ll need
Jigger
Pre-chill your ingredients and glassware
-
Place the coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur and triple sec in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before making this shot.
-
Prepare your chilled shot glass by placing it in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
How to Mix
-
Use a Jigger (or measuring instrument) to measure and pour Kahlúa into a chilled shot glass.
-
Measure and pour Irish Cream Liqueur on top.
-
Measure and pour Triple Sec as the third and final layer.
All about the B-52 Cocktail Shot
The B-52 is one of the most popular shots in the world. It’s made with three different liqueurs and is known for its signature layered appearance showcasing each spirit individually – coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur and triple sec.
Sweet, milky and creamy coffee infused with orange. And yes, it’s absolutely delicious!
The B-52 cocktail was created in 1977 and is attributed to a bartender at a hotel in Alberta, Canada.
The bartender was known for naming his cocktail creations after his favorite bands, songs, or albums, with this shot being one of his musical-inspired hits.
- Order is crucial
To achieve that all-important layered effect, be sure to add each ingredient in the order we’ve listed: coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur, and finally, Triple Sec.The secret lies in the density of each component, ensuring they stack beautifully without mixing.
- Serve chilled
This shot is best consumed chilled, so place the coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur and triple sec in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes beforehand. - Pre-chill your shot glass
A chilled glass is always a good idea and adds to the whole drink experience. So, pop your shot glass in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Variations of B-52 shots are endless, collectively known as the B-50 series of layered cocktails. Here are two of our favorites:
- B-51
A personal favorite variation, the B-51 mixes coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur, and hazelnut liqueur. Mmmm, just like the hazelnut-infused coffee and cream. - Frozen B-52
With this frozen version, since you’re blending all the ingredients together with ice, you lose the layered effect. But what you get is a decadent frozen milkshake served in a rocks glass. - Flaming B-52
To make a Flaming B-52, add a float of dark rum before using a lighter to ignite the top layer, resulting in a captivating blue flame that sits atop of the shot.
- The B-52 shot should be served in a chilled shot glass – no questions.
- While its three layers of color are already eye-catching, a popular way to serve the B-52 shot is to add a float of dark rum and then ignite the top layer with a lighter, creating a mesmerizing blue flame atop.
This is known as a Flaming B-52. Talk about attention-grabbing!
Of course, always exercise caution when using matches or lighters with alcohol.
B-52 Cocktail Shot FAQ
After preparing your B-52 using the drink recipe on this page, gently layer a float of dark rum with the back of a spoon. Ignite the shot with a match or lighter, then sip the shot through a straw while it’s flaming.
Remember, be careful when using matches or lighters with alcohol – safety first!
The formula for a B-52 cocktail shot is made using equal parts of three liqueurs: coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur, and Triple Sec.
