This B52 shot recipe is a fun and eye-catching layered drink made with Kahlúa, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and Grand Marnier. Each sip delivers rich coffee notes, smooth creaminess, and a bright citrus finish, making it a classic choice for parties or after-dinner drinks.
Pour Kahlúa in a shot glass - fill it one third of the way, which will be .50 an ounce.
.50 ounce Kahlúa
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.
.50 ounce Baileys Irish Cream
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.
.50 ounce Grand Marnier
Drink, smile, and enjoy.
Notes
Helpful tips
Kahlúa is the most popular coffee liqueur, but there are more budget-friendly options if you’d like to save a little money.
I use Grand Marnier as my orange liqueur because it adds such a rich flavor, but Cointreau or triple sec are great alternatives and more affordable.
Baileys Irish Cream is my go-to for the creamy layer, though any Irish cream brand works. For a lighter twist, try RumChata.
When layering shots, use either a cocktail spoon or an iced coffee teaspoon. For tall, narrow glasses, the iced coffee teaspoon fits better.
Pour slowly when layering—patience is key. Let the liqueur flow gently over the back of the spoon to keep the layers distinct.
Always place the spoon bowl side up (the back of the spoon) against the inside of the glass when layering.
A pourer makes layering easier by controlling the flow. Just keep in mind you’ll need to eyeball the amounts since it pours directly from the bottle.
Start with the heaviest liqueur on the bottom and finish with the lightest on top to achieve the layered effect.
Some people like to light the top orange liqueur layer for a flaming B-52. If you try this, be extremely cautious with the flame—you don’t want it near your face when sipping.