Like most layered shots, this B52 shot recipe packs a punch. It is delicious and one of the most popular shots ordered in bars.
It’s the party-time B52 shot recipe!
Now, I know other bartenders get the last layer to separate so you can see the line between all three liqueurs but this is one of those shots that gives me a hard time when delineating the layers. I finally did it with the tall glass, as you can see from the photo above. I squealed when I was able to do it correctly!
When I tried it again with the shorter glasses, I wasn’t so lucky, as you can see from the cloudy top layers in the background.
Second Attempt at the clear layer
After my success, I grabbed my other tall thin shot glass and tried to replicate the results. Nope. Not sure if the stars were aligned while I was pouring the tall shot above or what, because when I layer a shot, I do it the same way every time.
So, I’m here to tell you, that it is okay if your layers get muddled the way you see in the shorter glasses because you are just going to down the whole thing anyway. Besides, life is full of imperfections and I’m all for reveling in them.
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Tips on layering a shot
- If you are going to layer a shot, either use a cocktail spoon or regular iced coffee teaspoon – for the thin, tall shot glass, I have to use the iced coffee teaspoon because the cocktail spoon is too wide to fit in the glass
- Slow and steady wins the race. When layering a shot, you need to pour the liquor/liqueur SLOWLY over the bowl of the spoon
- Always place the spoon bowl side up in the glass, against the side
- Using a pourer controls the pour, which is critical to layering any shot. But if you do use a pourer, just know that you will have to eyeball your quantities because in that case, they’re coming straight out of the bottle, unmeasured
- As with all layered shots, you need to place the heaviest liquor on the bottom and work your way up to the lightest
How to layer the B52 shot
This recipe is for one shot. Multiply the ingredients by how many you are making.
Pre-step
Get out your shot glass, a pourer and a cocktail spoon for layering.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – Kahlúa, Baileys Irish cream and Grand Marnier.
Step one
The trick to a layered cocktail is to start with the heaviest liqueur. In this drink, the Kahlúa is the heaviest, so pour .50 ounce in the glass. It ends up being ⅓ of the way up the glass and is the only liqueur I measure since I’m using a pourer for the other two.
Now comes the fun part.
Step two
With a pourer in the Baileys Irish cream bottle. Place the spoon bowl side up in and against the side of the glass. Slowly pour the Baileys over the bowl and into the glass. Making sure you are another third of the way up the glass.
The photo below gives you the idea.
See? Using the spoon helps keep the layers separate!
Step three
Again, place the spoon bowl side up in and against the side of the glass. With a pourer in the bottle, slowly pour the Grand Marnier over the bowl and into the glass, another third of the way up.
Yum!
Let’s look at the vertical view.
I hope you enjoyed this B52 shot recipe!
It’s such a yummy drink and will get any party started.
Popular shots recipes
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
B52 Shot Recipe
Ingredients
- .50 ounce Kahlúa
- .50 ounce Baileys Irish Cream
- .50 ounce Grand Marnier
Instructions
- Pour Kahlúa in a shot glass – fill it one third of the way – which will be .50 an ounce
- Place a pourer in the bottle of Baileys. Put the spoon upside down in the shot glass at the Kahlúa line and slowly pour Baileys Irish Cream on the back of the bowl of the spoon so it fills another third of the glass
- Place the pourer in the Grand Marnier and use the spoon again and slowly pour the the liqueur in, filling it up the last third of the glass
- Shoot the shot
- Smile
- Enjoy
Equipment
Notes
- If you are going to layer a shot, either use a cocktail spoon or regular iced coffee teaspoon – for the thin, tall shot glass, I have to use the iced coffee teaspoon because the cocktail spoon is too wide to fit in the glass
- Always place the spoon bowl side up in the glass, against the side
- Slow and steady wins the race. When layering a shot, you need to pour the liquor/liqueur SLOWLY over the bowl of the spoon
- Using a pourer controls the pour, which is critical to layering any shot. But if you do use a pourer, just know that you will have to eyeball your quantities because in that case, they’re coming straight out of the bottle, unmeasured
- As with all layered shots, you need to place the heaviest liquor on the bottom and work your way up to the lightest
Nutrition
First published August 2016.
Chris
This combination of spirits is like candy! Great shots, all the way around. 🙂
Elaine
Thanks so much, Chris!
Jacque
These bring back memories from my college days! I don’t know if I could handle them know, but at least I now know what was in them.
Elaine
Hehe. Reminds me of college too! Thank you for your comment Jacque!
Tristin Rieken
This post is such a fun read with the progression shots and I learned so much about how to get those beautiful layers! Thanks for sharing.
Elaine
You’re welcome. I love layered shots!! Thank you so much for your comment Tristin!
Lisa Bryan
Oh yum! This is definitely the type of cocktail I need on a Friday night after work. 😉
Elaine
I’m with you on that Lisa! Thank you!
Sharon
This shot looks like so much fun! Layers of creaminess and I’m sure it goes down very smooth.
Elaine
It does, Sharon! It does! 🙂 thank you!
Amanda
You always have such fun shots! This sounds tasty. I’ll definitely have to serve these for our next party — St. Patrick’s Day would be perfect with the Bailey’s!
Elaine
Awww, thanks so much, Amanda and yes it would definitely go well at St. Patrick’s day!!
Patty
One of my favorite cocktails of yours Lainey, you know how I like the creamy ones best! I’ve always wondered how these layers were made, thanks for your clear explanations, I’ll try my best and if I don’t succeed I’ll just down them the same lol!
Elaine
Thanks so much Patty! I so appreciate it. And lol! 🙂